GAP Community News
The University Gap Funding/Accelerator Weekly update, a resource for those interested in university-affiliated translational research, proof of concept, startup, and venture gap fund/accelerator program
University Gap Funding and Accelerator Community News
Arkansas Innovation Hub Announces Kickoff of Inaugural I-Fund Program
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub of North Little Rock announced Wednesday that eight teams representing five universities kicked off an inaugural 12-week I-Fund program in Fayetteville over the weekend. I-Fund is an early stage, proof-of-concept fund formed to capitalize and
Silicon Valley, Michigan Tech MTRAC Help Fast-Track Commercialization of Tech Research
This is a key to early career success because graduate students help generate new knowledge, and new knowledge leads to research publications, the gold standard of professional recognition. But Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor in Michigan Tech’s Department of Chemistry,
UTSA alumna’s medical device receives $150K UT System investment
The UT Horizon Fund recently invested $150,000 to fund Cardiovate, a San Antonio-based startup that is using technology from two University of Texas System institutions to commercialize a medical device to treat vascular diseases by repairing blood vessels. The UT
U Queensland Inflazome closes US$17m Series A financing round from Novartis Venture Fund
Inflazome (inflazome.com) has successfully closed a Series A financing round for up to US$17/€15 million. Two leading life sciences venture capital firms, Novartis Venture Funds and Fountain Healthcare Partners, co-led the financing. Inflazome is developing inhibitors of the inflammasome, a
PepsiCo extends innovation fund to educational institutions
Eligible colleges and universities will have the opportunity to submit sustainability project proposals to PepsiCo Recycling that present tangible environmental, economic and social impacts. The proposals will also need to demonstrate the ingenuity, scalability and evident student community support for
University of California Is Putting Money Into an Alumni VC Fund
The University of California is giving its student entrepreneurs a big endorsement. During a scheduled public meeting of its regents’ finance committee on Friday, the school revealed that it has invested into the House Fund, a young $6 million fund.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation to provide more money for entrepreneurship, innovation
The Small Business Development Center, Invest Detroit, Automation Alley and TechTownare some of the beneficiaries of a budget increase for support of entrepreneurship and innovation by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. According
U of Chicago ExplORer Surgical Announces $1M Seed Round
ExplORer Surgical, a leading developer of an intraoperative workflow management tool for surgery, announced today the closing of $1 million in seed round funding. Investors include CJM Ventures, M25 Group, SymphonyAlpha Ventures, The University of Chicago Innovation Fund, Wasson Enterprise,
Mind the Gap Summit: Create and Manage a Proof of Concept Gap Fund
From our analysis of over 50 University-affiliated Proof of Concept programs, we have observed their strength in moving technology to a point of commercialization, while acting as an effective means to leverage and attract outside capital and expertise.
Proof of Concept (POC) gap funds evaluate commercial potential, demonstrate the value, and generally de-risk (or perception of risk) the project to commercial partners or investors. Achievements like prototypes and commercial assessment help to identify and secure a route to commercialization, if one exists. POC funds also identify weakness in the technology for further development, or help avoid costs by deciding not pursue the technology
These funds are often administered centrally through the technology transfer office, research foundation, central research administration, or the equivalent at the college-level. Externally-partnered public funds, accelerators, and corporate funds run independently or in close collaboration with the research institution.
$5.9 million for Red River College research, vehicle test facility
Red River College has received the largest influx of research funding since founding its research enterprise in 2004. This new investment will allow Red River College to boost innovation capacity in Manitoba’s vehicle technology and food development sectors. “This is