Translational Research | Proof of Concept | Startup Accelerators | Venture Funds
Our Purpose
The Community of Practice for research institution affiliated technology and startup gap fund and accelerator programs. Founded in 2018 with 25 universities, the Gap Fund and Accelerator Program Community of Action (GAP COA) is the resource for and by leaders looking to evolve active or to support new gap fund/accelerator programs.
This effort is backed by over 15 years of investigation and dedicated support of over 300 gap fund/accelerator program through the innovosource Mind the Gap initiative.
Our Gap Fund/Accelerator Program Focus Areas
Built on 11 Foundational Gap Fund/Accelerator Best Practice Areas
Develop and Share Best Practices
Create and expand access to insights, tactics, and data to support program improvement and stakeholder development
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 Advocate for the Community
Increase public/private awareness of the capital and support gap for university innovation and build consensus around gap funding/accelerator programs as a solution
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 Connect Industry and Investment Partners
Connect university translational research, proof of concept projects, and startups to sources of capital, talent, and commercialization partnerships
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Benefits and Value
Benefit Summary
- Engage and network with peer institutions to legitimize and grow the gap funding and accelerator community
- Save resources and hours by leveraging existing knowledge and tools immediately available to GAP COA member
- $4,500 in immediate value from access to archived reports/events
- Connect to new sources of investment, commercialization and program support through our reporting, web showcases, needs-driven matching, and regional/ national meetings
Benefit Detail
Reports |
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Access Mind the Gap Report
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Ongoing organizational access to most recent iteration of this, now 15 years-strong, development guide to support current and aspiring fund that contains capital landscape review, program best practices, and impact measures (119 funds/75 universities) (View Report Description/Sample Here) |
Access to Emerging Topic Reports
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Organizational access to periodic reports on topics like student venture funds, crowdfunding, private and public program partnering, university-industry collaboration
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Events |
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Emerging Model Reviews (Web-discussion) |
Emerging gap fund/accelerator showcases using a detailed review of structure, source of funds, process, support program and impact. Followed by group sharing and discussion of shared challenges(4/yr)
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Tactical Reviews (Web-workshop) |
Focus on specific program/process approaches to address challenges related to key best practice areas (4/yr) |
Corporate/Investor Partner Reviews |
Needs-driven reviews featuring 1-2 corporate/investor groups seeking to partner with university gap fund/accelerator programs for future innovation (2/yr) |
Events Archive |
Full access to past presentations, event recordings, and associated materials that can be shared throughout your organization (View a summary of events here) |
COVERGENCE |
Annual summit for research institution gap fund/accelerator program leaders and corporate/investment partners. COA GAP members receive a complimentary registration (New Orleans 7-23/24 Details) |
Web Tools
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Forum |
Online member forum to discuss current tactics and challenges |
Process/Program Documents |
Repository of member documents related to their program or process such as gap fund program descriptions, advisory board structure, evaluation scorecards, pitch deck templates, impact reporting for leadership |
Custom Data Reporting |
Tool allowing members to create custom charts/tables from the Mind the Gap Report data and export for as a presentation/.pdf for their internal use |
Join today!
We are inclusive: Open to any research institution, anywhere, and any point in their gap fund/accelerator evolution. Whether you have ran a program for years, just started thinking about it, or have hit a roadblock, you will find a home here.
We are what you need us to be: Attend every event and read every page OR use us as a resource library and sounding board when you need something. Your engagement level is up to you.
We want participation to be easy: No shock when you sum up the individual memberships, event registrations, report purchases, etc. Just one annual, full organizational membership fee(Oct-September)
Full organizational membership fee
Under USD $300M Total Research Expenditures=$1500/yr Over USD $300M Total Research Expenditures=$2500/yr
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