For several years, VCU TechTransfer and Ventures has supported the creation and development of startup companies based on university IP. Now, we’ve added fuel to that work.

This spring, we launched VCU’s first Startup Accelerator, designed to fast-track VCU-born companies, giving them more personalized coaching and advisory services from our lineup of IP experts and entrepreneurs-in-residence. In 2023, we granted 12 licenses to startups — a number we look to eclipse this year.

The Accelerator pushes faculty entrepreneurs out of the comforts of their labs or offices, helping them carve a pathway to someday get their ideas and technologies into the hands of users. We help them address potential customers’ highest-priority business needs, reduce the risk of failure — and increase the probability of success. We also connect them to outside resources such as investors and specialist consultants, with whom our team has long-term relationships. Our first cohort of five companies will take part in a startup pitch competition on May 13, co-sponsored by our partners at Activation Capital, that will award cash prizes and additional support to winners.

VCU TechTransfer and Ventures expects to offer a spring and fall Accelerator program, with hopes of encouraging other faculty who may have startup dreams to take the next step — even if they’re unsure about the process.

Our Accelerator and startup support goes hand-in-hand with the continued growth of our licensing and commercialization effort, where we protect and work to commercialize dozens of new IP disclosures each year. You can meet many of the faces and minds behind these projects in this issue of Launchpad. Please enjoy.

Ivelina Metcheva, Ph.D., MBA

Assistant Vice President for Innovation

VCU TechTransfer and Ventures

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation