The innovation system that transitions breakthroughs in research from the lab into the marketplace is constrained by the lack of available early-stage capital and development support. This “gap” extends from where the government funding of basic research ends to where existing companies or investors are willing to accept the risk to commercialize or invest in the technology or startup. The negative result is that a large portion of economic creation and commercial potential is left unrealized because it isn’t funded and supported.

This shortage of early-stage development capital and support must be recognized and addressed as a serious threat to future innovation and associated societal benefits. Left without a solution, many promising technologies and startups will stall or struggle to develop on a path of least resistance towards a sub-optimal end.

To address this challenge, research institutions and partners have created technology and startup gap funding and accelerator support programs as a capital and innovation support mechanism. These programs are uniquely positioned to address critical elements of technology development and startup formation from research institutions.

Smart companies and investors are taking notice and making it a strategic, external innovation and investment priority to partner with these university gap fund and accelerator programs through applied research, proof of concept projects, corporate venture investments, and advisory/mentorship. In return, they benefit from insights, competitive positioning, and access to future technology and start-ups.