The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has launched a new “Proof-of-Concept Fund” to support University of Chicago researchers in de-risking early-stage technologies.
“By providing funding to bridge the gap between early-stage lab research and out-licensing activities, the Proof-of-Concept Fund will serve as a vehicle to advance data collection and accelerate technology commercialization,” said David Gross, senior director of technology marketing and innovation growth at the Polsky Center.
Awarded as milestone-based payments, funding will help support prototype development, conduct commercial feasibility tests, and advance research activities necessary to de-risk the technologies under development. The fund is intended to support internal research projects that do not have other sources of financial support to advance the commercial development of the proposed projects. All areas of research qualify, though the work must be patentable or copyrightable.
