In its most recent Mind the Gap landscape report, innovosource identified crowdfunding as an emerging investment vehicle that may be better positioned to support the capital requirements of translational research, proof of concept projects, and early-stage start-ups than more traditional capital sources, like venture capital and angel investment. This funding approach taps into the masses
Kickstarter demonstrates the opportunities and challenges ahead for crowdfunding developmentally-rigorous technologies and start-ups
Crowdfunding heavyweight, Kickstar, just released its 2012 year in review. They observed a monumental increase in all-around activity from funding pledged ($320M) to backer participation(2.24M). However, the portion of these funds that went to technology projects was just 9%, with most directed at theater, music, gaming, and design. Will there be the interest behind more
University of Florida release call for Research Opportunity Seed Fund, full submission process and material
The Research Opportunity Seed Fund targets interdisciplinary, faculty-initiated research projects with potential for extramural support. The program focuses on new projects and/or new collaborative partnerships. Projects should be innovative, support institutional mission goals, have strong potential for garnering future funding from external sources, OR have outstanding commercial potential. Opportunity Fund awards are not intended to
Mind the Gap looks into crowdfunding as a gap funding approach
In its most recent Mind the Gap landscape report, innovosource identified crowdfunding as an emerging investment vehicle that may be better positioned to support the capital requirements of translational research, proof of concept projects, and early-stage start-ups than more traditional capital sources, like venture capital and angel investment. This funding approach taps into the masses for smaller, more manageable investments
Report summarizes candidates’ technology and innovation policies
Election day is here, and in good spirit we have reviewed and suggest a recent report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, entitled “Comparing the 2012 Presidential Candidates’ Technology and Innovation Policies”. The report is (thankfully) focused and digestible and gives some good innovation-related insights to the future. FULL REPORT
San Diego Business Journal covers Mind the Gap roundtable
The San Diego Business Journal covered this week’s Mind the Gap roundtable at WBT in today’s edition. innovosource will hold this roundtable on Wednesday Oct 24th from 1-4PM Pacific at the San Diego Convention Center. Still time to register if you are in the area. Full Agenda: http://www.gapfunding.org/shareddocuments/WBT_Gap%20Fund%20Program.pdf More info:http://wbtshowcase.com/wbt/web.nsf/pages/agendaugf.html
Mind the Gap article featured on The Lipper Current
With all eyes on the economy, policymakers are quick to invoke the buzzwords of the day, such as “innovation”, “economic development”, and “job creation”, to describe the beneficial impact of commercializing early stage technology, often from research universities. Recently though, it seems that special interests, void of workable solutions, are grabbing headlines and helping to
Setting a New Path Forward for the Mind the Gap Initiative
It has been an absolute pleasure working with you all (some for nearly a decade!)on the Mind the Gap initiative. Your leadership in launching, and expanding gap funding programs at your own institution is a testament to the types of creative commercialization tactics, led by research universities, that are moving leading technologies from the lab
An entire story about BioPharma corporate R&D gap funds (with no mention of universities)
I couldn’t believe it either. A really good article released from GEN (Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) underscores an emerging trend in pharma pre-seed gap funding investment in R&D as an answer to a retraction of early stage VC from biotech and pharma sectors. One issue, how can you have a conversation about “Drugs” +”R&D”+”external partnerships”
Gap Funding: A critical component of US innovation system
The most critical issue related to crossing the “valley of death” is the availability (or lack thereof) of resources for promising inventions. Perhaps the most significant resource shortage can be found within the University as a basic research breakthrough is disclosed. The best universities are putting specific gap funds and gap programs in place to
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