The University of Pennsylvania has unveiled its newest initiative to support early-stage startups emerging from academic research: a $10 million StartUP Fund offering up to $250,000 in seed funding to ventures with at least one Penn faculty or researcher founder.
Managed by the university’s Office of the Chief Innovation Officer and reviewed by a team of external venture experts, the StartUP Fund seeks to fill a critical capital gap that often leaves high-potential university spinouts struggling between invention and institutional investment.
Penn’s announcement underscores a broader trend: research universities are increasingly becoming active investors in their own spinouts to ensure technologies have a clear pathway to early milestones and broader investment readiness.
The Fund builds on Penn’s existing innovation ecosystem, including the Penn Center for Innovation and other sector-focused investment programs, signaling a commitment to long-term commercialization success.
For GAP programs and innovation leaders, the StartUP Fund offers a compelling case for how institutional investment vehicles can complement gap funding, accelerate validations, and enhance overall commercialization outcomes.
Full story: Penn launches $10M StartUP Fund for university spinouts
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