uf innovate | pathways

Entrepreneurship & More

UF, the Gainesville area and the state has a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurship support is available from a variety of sources and we encourage innovators to find the support they need to make progress. Pathways programs support early-stage academic innovators to get started on their entrepreneurial journey.

NSF I-Corps Entrepreneurship Training

NSF I-Corps training helps you identify your target market, validate your business model and reduce the risk associated with translating your technology from lab to market.

Before you put in the time and effort to pursue a startup, it is important to complete I-Corps training so you can understand the industry ecosystem and determine the value proposition and commercialization pathway for your technology.

I-Corps training can connect you with industry experts, potential partners and other stakeholders and can accelerate technology development and commercialization and enhance your chances of developing a product that customers will buy. This will help you develop a stronger pitch/proposal to securing funding of any type including from venture capitalists or the federal SBIR program.

Visit our NSF I-Corps at UF webpage and enroll to attend an Intro to NSF I-Corps Workshop and a regional NSF I-Corps course.

First Steps to Form a Startup Company Workshop

What steps do you need to take to start a new company and get ready for fundraising and when do you need it? UF Innovate partners with law firms to host this workshop once or twice a year depending on need. The workshop is designed to help you understand what you need to incorporate your startup, get rights to IP, hire a team, manage money, offer equity, and navigate academia to industry transition. Dates and registration information will be announced in our newsletter and website. If you are interested in this workshop, email us today!

Non-Dilutive Funding Sources

Non-Dilutive funding options do not require a startup to give ownership in a company to the funder include.

Prizes and Competitions
- What Is Non-Dilutive Funding and Why Is It So Important for Early-Stage Innovators? Review this VentureWell article and learn about non-dilutive funding options that do not require a startup to give ownership in a company to the funder.
SBIR and STTR Grant Funding
- Throughout the year, SBIR/STTR training is offered by the funding agencies as well as by UF Innovate through its partnership with BBC Entrepreneurial Training and Consulting.
- Review the webpage on SBIR/STTR grant funding for guidance.

SBIR and STTR Grant Funding (Non-Dilutive Funds)

Federal SBIR/STTR grants enable the transfer of technology from universities and support the development of a product for commercialization. For more, visit SBIR and STTR Grant Funding – UF Innovate Test Site.

Dilutive Funding Sources - Angel and Venture Investment

UF Innovate | Ventures

UF Innovate | Ventures seeks to fuel consistent growth in the number and quality of technology-based startup companies. These startups move UF inventions out of the lab and into the marketplace for the global good. Ventures supports startups by developing entrepreneurs, connecting companies to potential investors, and making equity investments. UF Innovate | Ventures has a $2 million venture fund per fiscal year and it oversees an Entrepreneurs in Residence program throughout the state of Florida. Visit UF Innovate I Ventures website to learn more and connect with our Ventures Director.

Florida Venture Forum

Visit the website to learn more.

Venture Capital Firm – OUP

UF is a member of OUP a leading venture capital firm that invests in academic start-ups. OUP’s life science and tech team members hold office hours with start-up founders, graduate students/postdocs, and faculty who are interested in commercializing their work.

Contact your licensing officer or our Ventures Director to discuss your startup idea before you schedule a time with the OUP team member to get VC feedback on your startup idea. https://portal.oup.vc/page/office_hours

Learn from venture capitalists the skills needed to build and grow your startup. Visit the OUP Researcher Portal and learn more about venture capital, founder’s equity, start-up licensing, product-market fit, pitching, and more at https://portal.oup.vc

You can access the entire library of on-demand venture education recordings on the OUP YouTube channel. The below webinars hosted by OUP highlight various sources of funding available to startups and how to prepare for fundraising.

Funding & Equity for University Startups Webinar Series: Venture Capital Firm Osage University Partners (OUP) Webinar Recordings

Corporate Structure for Startups OUP webinar recording LLCs vs. Corporations as Startup Structures

Ask a VC webinar (2023): Do you have a burning question on venture capital you need answered? Learn about venture capital operations, decision making and the current investing environment in this OUP webinar.

Startup Business and Legal Resources

From time to time, UF entrepreneurs ask us about firms in the area that provide startup business and legal services. Below are a few firms who have worked with UF startups. Note: UF Innovate does not recommend the below firms nor require startups to use them.

Jeremy Wright

James Moore
Phone: (352) 378-1331
Email: Jeremy.Wright@JMCo.com
Website: James Moore & Co. | CPA & Tax Accounting Services

Dan L. O’Korn

Hutchison PLLC
Phone: (919) 829 – 2644; M (919) 413 – 6055
Email: dokorn@hutchlaw.com
Website: https://www.hutchlaw.com/

Thomas McThenia

Gray Robinson
Phone: 407-843-8880
Email: Tom.McThenia@gray-robinson.com
Website: GrayRobinson: Florida’s Law Firm; Florida and Washington D.C. Lobbyists

Incubators and Accelerators

UF Innovate | Accelerate is the place-making, entrepreneurial support organization within UF Innovate dedicated to working with entrepreneurs, innovators, and business builders. Through two award-winning, globally-recognized facilities, Accelerate delivers industry-leading entrepreneurial programs and services designed to:

accelerate the growth and development of its client companies and
increase the likelihood of success of the business ventures it serves.

Learn more about the two incubators, The Hub and Sid Martin Biotech run by UF Innovate | Accelerate.

Additional start up support and incubator space available around the state can be found here http://www.fbiaonline.org/

Additional Resources

FORGE: A nonprofit on a mission to help startups navigate the journey from physical prototype to commercialization and impact at scale. https://forgeimpact.org/
New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA) Life Science VC Briefing: Investor Due Diligence. Reducing Legal Fees While Managing Risk: ‘What can I do in-house and when do I need an attorney?’
Small Business Resources from the Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/
Ascent: SBA’s free interactive platform packed with resources for women small business owners. https://ascent.sba.gov/
The Entrepreneur Forum (Formerly MIT Enterprise Forum): Review a wealth of entrepreneurship resources. https://theeforum.org/

Educational Programs

Need to know more about technology licensing, raising venture funds, or writing a grant? We’ve got you covered.

Startup Launch Resources

Looking for a place to host your fledgling company or how to fund it? You’re not alone. Start here.

Development & Translational Support

UF and non-UF innovators can find educational and other resources here.

UF Innovate | Pathways

747 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Suite 108 Gainesville, FL 32601

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 115575
Gainesville, FL 32611-5575

Phone Number

(352) 392-8929

Student Opportunities

UF Innovate provides a range of paid internships for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers at UF.