Mind the Gap 2011: The University Gap Funding Report, developed by Jacob Johnson of InnovoSource, examines the role that university-driven gap funding programs play in advancing major innovations. The report begins with an updated version of the university, or early-stage, technology funding landscape.

Next, the report looks in-depth at the functionality of 63 gap funding programs across 40 organizations, creating a roadmap for tech transfer managers to develop gap funding programs and presenting benchmarks for policymakers to support these initiatives. While primarily focused on U.S. programs, the report also includes examples of non-U.S. funds and externally-partnered gap fund programs through accelerators and state-based funds. This analysis is joined with perspectives from fund managers, success stories, and past experiences from more than 40 additional gap funds.

Finally, the report suggests and explores various impacts from a subsection of the survey participants that depict the true value of gap funding initiatives, including:

• High commercialization rates, with 76-81% of funded projects commercialized on average
• Attraction of early-stage capital, with $2.8 billion leveraged from public and private investment sources
• Business formation and job creation, including 395 start-up companies, 188 technology licenses to existing companies, and 7,761 new jobs at a cost of $13,600 gap fund dollars per job, and
• Organizational returns, including $75 million returned to research organizations through repayments, royalties, and equity sales.

The report offers an analysis by fund types so that TTO managers can apply the information at specific points, such as translational research, proof of concept, and start-up funding. All told, Mind the Gap 2011 covers 40 universities, 63 gap funding programs, more than $200 million in investment, and 2,677 funded projects. As a special value to eNews subscribers, the $795 report is available at a 25% discount by using the code MTGTTT.

Source: Mind the Gap

Posted November 30th, 2011 under Tech Transfer

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