Empowering

Professors: Driving
Innovations
Professors play a vital role in driving innovation and advancing their fields.
By leveraging their expertise and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship,
universities can empower faculty to translate their research into real-world
solutions and successful startups.

NM by Namrata Mehta
Bridging the Gap: Startups and Academic
Research
Startup Perspectives Academic Viewpoints Bridging the Gap
Startups often seek to leverage Professors are focused on Effective university-industry
the latest research and advancing knowledge through partnerships can help translate
technology breakthroughs to rigorous research, but may lack academic research into viable
create innovative products and the entrepreneurial skills to business opportunities.
services. commercialize their work.
Funding Opportunities for Faculty-Led
Ventures

1 Seed Grants 2 Entrepreneurship Fellowships

Kickstart innovative research projects and Support faculty in developing their business
prototypes with internal funding programs. skills and launching startups.

3 Commercialization Grants 4 Venture Capital Connections

Provide resources to assess market Facilitate access to external funding sources,
potential and prepare for technology transfer. such as angel investors and VCs.
Navigating the Entrepreneurial
Ecosystem
Identify Opportunities Build a Team
Analyze market trends and pinpoint unmet Assemble a diverse group of individuals with
needs that can be addressed through innovative complementary skills to support the startup's
solutions. growth and success.

1 2 3

Develop a Business Plan

Outline the key components of a successful
venture, including the value proposition, target
market, and financial projections.
Intellectual Property and
Commercialization
IP Protection
Safeguard your research and innovations
through patents, copyrights, and other forms of
intellectual property rights.
Revenue Sharing
Understand the policies and revenue-sharing
agreements for faculty-led startups and
licensing agreements.
Technology Transfer
Leverage the university's technology transfer
office to navigate the complex process of
commercializing your innovations.
Startup Incubation
Utilize university-based incubators and
accelerators to access resources, mentorship,
and networking opportunities.
Fostering a Culture of Entrepreneurship

Mentorship Interdisciplinary Recognition and Entrepreneurial

Provide faculty with
Collaboration Incentives Education
access to experienced Encourage cross- Acknowledge and Offer workshops,
entrepreneurs and pollination of ideas and reward faculty courses, and training
industry leaders who skills by facilitating members who programs to help
can share their collaboration across successfully faculty develop
expertise. academic departments. commercialize their essential business and
research or launch entrepreneurial skills.
startups.
Building Effective University-Industry
Partnerships
Shared Objectives Aligning the goals and interests of both the
university and industry partners

Intellectual Property Rights Establishing clear policies and agreements

around IP ownership and commercialization

Funding and Resources Leveraging external funding sources and

industry expertise to support faculty-led
innovations

Collaborative Research Facilitating joint projects and knowledge

exchange between university researchers and
industry professionals
Empowering Professors: The Path
Forward
1 2
Cultivate an
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Encourage professors to
embrace entrepreneurial
thinking and explore the
commercialization potential of
their research.
Provide Targeted
Support
Offer faculty-specific
programs, resources, and
funding opportunities to
facilitate the translation of
innovations into startups.
3
Foster Collaboration
and Partnerships
Facilitate meaningful
connections between
academia and industry to
bridge the gap and drive real-
world impact.