91社区

Online information session to learn more about the TechAccelR program. Now open to all 91社区 Professors!聽

The TechAccelR program 蝉耻辫辫辞谤迟蝉听91社区 tenure-track professors聽by enabling them to accelerate their research-based ideas with commercial potential that are reported as inventions but need further validation as part of the commercialization plan. The program is offered biannually (spring and fall) and includes grants that can go up to $15,000 per invention/technology, along with personalized business mentorship.聽For 2025, the budget will allow for up to 10 projects per round to be selected. Funding of the TechAccelR proposals is at the sole discretion of the 91社区 Engine team. We will look at the comparative merit of the application pool and the project criteria.

The TechAccelR grants are for short-term projects that will聽advance or enhance an invention/technology in order to improve the scope and value of 91社区鈥檚 IP and enable researchers to obtain further funding for commercialization. The TechAccelR project proposals are co-written with the PI's technology transfer manager, please consult with them at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposal deadline. Some examples of scope of work goals: improved claims in future patent applications, new uses/applications of existing technologies, gathering additional data to further demonstrate proof of concept (e.g. increased robustness/reliability of AI/ML models), obtaining data to compare/benchmark the technology to existing technologies to show its competitive advantages.

In addition to funding, teams are matched with a聽Ronald Chwang Entrepreneur-in-Residence聽to help advance their technology commercialization plan and provide industry connections.

The grants come out of the Engine Innovation Fund*, which is funded by charitable gifts from alumni and other community donors.

*罢丑别听聽is not an investment fund. Donors are not investing in companies. Donations made by donors are charitable contributions, which may be tax deductible.

Program Objectives

1. Validate early stage technologies
2. Advance the invention's聽聽from TRL 3 to聽higher
3. Accelerate the technology鈥檚 commercialization and development plan - achieve product-market fit faster
4. Further develop the research to strengthen eligibility for additional funding
5. Research team works聽closely with the assigned business mentor, gaining from their experience, knowledge, and industry connections