Research Institution Gap Funding and Accelerator Programs (GAP) Insights

Award & Investment Overview QuantumCore has raised $10.7 million through a combination of: • $9 million in private placements (brokered and non-brokered)• $1.7 million in non-dilutive funding through the NSERC Alliance Grant The company has also completed a public listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, providing access to broader capital

Proof-of-concept programs (POC) sit at the center of most GAP strategies, but the amount of work they are expected to do has expanded significantly. They are not just funding early validation. They are expected to reduce technical risk, shape market applications, support early team formation, engage external stakeholders, and prepare

A strong piece in Nature Biotechnology highlights a challenge that continues to surface across research institutions: the gap is not a lack of ideas, it is what happens before commercialization even begins. Technology transfer offices play a critical role, but they are structurally designed to engage once intellectual property is

Investment & Exit Overview CrossBridge Bio has been acquired by Eli Lilly and Company for $300 million, representing a significant exit for the Texas Medical Center Venture Fund. The company was founded in 2023 through the TMC Innovation Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics, with the venture fund serving as lead and

Across research institutions, there is no shortage of ideas. If anything, the volume and quality of discovery continues to increase, supported by stronger research funding, more interdisciplinary work, and a growing emphasis on translational outcomes. At the same time, expectations around research are shifting. Increasingly, funding is being tied, either

Across research institutions, there is no shortage of promising technologies. What’s consistently more difficult is turning those early signals into opportunities that a partner, investor, or team can actually engage with. That transition does not happen on its own. It happens in proof-of-concept. Proof-of-concept programs (POC) are often described as

What’s Happening Lehigh University has launched a Venture Studio designed to transform university research into market-ready startups through a structured, internal venture-building process. Key elements include: The model allows faculty to contribute innovations without taking on operational founder roles, while students gain hands-on experience in venture creation. The initiative is

What’s Happening UC Davis has launched the Aggie Venture Accelerator to support early-stage startups developing solutions across life sciences, food, and health. Key elements include: A central component is the Aggie Venture Accelerator Fund, which provides: The program targets startups at the pre-seed to seed stage, with an emphasis on