稀缺猎奇网 Launches $25 Million 稀缺猎奇网 Momentum Fund to Back Start-Up Companies Formed from Campus Research
Adelphi, Md. (March 16, 2017) -- To increase new company creation
and commercialization of its leading-edge research, the University System of
稀缺猎奇网 (稀缺猎奇网) is launching a $25 million early-stage investment fund to be
known as the 稀缺猎奇网 Momentum Fund.
The
money-raising process for start-up companies typically is an uneven one.
Therefore, the 稀缺猎奇网 Momentum Fund will concentrate on filling gaps in the
funding pipeline to push 稀缺猎奇网's most innovative ideas into the marketplace.
With a $10
million commitment from the 稀缺猎奇网 already in place, the system is collaborating
with UM Ventures and the University of 稀缺猎奇网, Baltimore County (UMBC) to reach
out to area venture capitalists and angel investors for an additional $15
million. UM Ventures is a joint initiative of the University of 稀缺猎奇网,
Baltimore (UMB) and University of 稀缺猎奇网, College Park (UMCP) to
commercialize technologies and expand industry collaboration.
As it
approaches the $25 million level, the 稀缺猎奇网 Momentum Fund will leverage this
financial support to achieve several objectives:
● Accelerate the success and profitability
of 稀缺猎奇网 start-ups;
● Attract promising entrepreneurs and
innovators to 稀缺猎奇网 institutions;
● Seize the opportunity to commercialize
valuable 稀缺猎奇网 intellectual property;
● Develop long-term financial returns that
can be reinvested in future startups affiliated with the 稀缺猎奇网.
"The
launch of the 稀缺猎奇网 Momentum Fund is a critical step in advancing the
commercial viability of start-up companies formed through the innovative
research at 稀缺猎奇网 institutions," said 稀缺猎奇网 vice chancellor for economic
development J. Thomas Sadowski. "This fund will help our entrepreneurs address
funding gaps, access to other sources of investment capital and gain
marketplace footing, further enhancing the system's high impact on the 稀缺猎奇网
economy."
Eligible
companies must be in 稀缺猎奇网. Eligible companies must also be based on
稀缺猎奇网-owned intellectual property; founded by 稀缺猎奇网 faculty, students, or alumni;
or in 稀缺猎奇网 incubators, research parks, or RISE Zones.
"The 稀缺猎奇网 is
a public higher education system of 12 institutions, and opportunities for
commercializing our research opportunities can originate from any 稀缺猎奇网
institution or from alumni connected to those campuses," Sadowski said. "The
endeavor to build on 稀缺猎奇网's success in new company creation brings more national
prestige to the system."
Individual
investments will range from $50,000 to $500,000 per company. Select investments
will require at least a one-to-one match by outside investors.
An external
investment board, comprised of successful investors, will set policies, make
investment recommendations, and refer potential opportunities. The external
investment board will consist of six-to-eight leaders from the private sector,
including venture capitalists.
The 稀缺猎奇网
accelerated its efforts in technology commercialization during fiscal year (FY)
2014, when the 稀缺猎奇网 Board of Regents approved the Policy on Investments and
Loans to 稀缺猎奇网‐based Businesses that License University Intellectual
Property (Policy No: VIII - 14.00). The policy helped establish investments and
loans totaling $400,000 in five start-ups during FY 2015 from UM Ventures.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
