October 18-20 | Tucson, AZ

The Research Institution GAP Fund and Accelerator Program Summit

UC Santa Cruz Innovation Catalyst Grant program propels research into real-world solutions

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October 23-25, 2024 / Atlanta, GA

The annual summit for research institution gap fund and accelerator programs, including proof of concept programs, startup accelerators, and university venture funds

The Story

UC Santa Cruz has announced the Innovation Catalyst Grant proof-of-concept program awardees, showcasing the campus’s commitment to fostering transformative research with significant societal benefits.

The Innovation Catalyst Program, managed by the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub, provides targeted funding, industry mentorship, market research and customer discovery training to help researchers commercially validate their technologies while bridging the gap between basic research and early-stage investment. This year’s awards highlight projects addressing pressing challenges in environmental sustainability, biomedical innovation, and renewable energy—all with the potential to improve the lives of Californians.

The Innovation & Business Engagement Hub’s Lean Launchpad workshops play a key role in this process by equipping researchers with the frameworks and skills to identify the pathways for adoption and implementation of their innovations and find a scalable business model through the customer discovery process. This training is now part of the newly established NSF I-Corps Hub, which further strengthens UC Santa Cruz’s ecosystem for innovation transfer and commercialization.

The Innovation Catalyst Grant program, supported in part this cycle by the UC President’s Entrepreneurship Network Council’s systemwide pilot proof-of-concept fund, highlights UC Santa Cruz’s dedication to advancing research with tangible benefits. By empowering researchers to de-risk and validate early-stage innovations, the program ensures that groundbreaking ideas move beyond the lab and into the hands of those who can implement them for societal good.

“These projects underscore UC Santa Cruz’s role as a hub for innovation and discovery,” said Ryan Sharp, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Business Engagement. “By providing critical resources and support, we’re enabling our researchers to address real-world challenges and make a lasting impact.”

From advancing environmental sustainability to transforming drug discovery, this year’s Innovation Catalyst Grant program awardees exemplify the university’s commitment to research excellence and societal impact. Their work not only highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration but also reinforces UC Santa Cruz’s position as a leader in driving innovation that benefits California and the world.

Full story: UC Santa Cruz Innovation Catalyst Grant program propels research into real-world solutions