Pathways is here to empower innovators from idea to impact. Get started on your journey today.
If you were looking for a guide to help you through the comprehensive lifecycle of innovation at UF, you’re in the right place. We’ve outlined the four key stages on your journey from idea to impact: engage, invent, advance, and propel. These stages cover the essential activities designed to take an idea from conception all the way to market impact.
“Engage” focuses on foundational activities where you can explore the potential of your ideas through learning, networking, and understanding market needs. The goal is to immerse yourself in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and gather the knowledge and connections necessary to move forward.
Learn about UF Innovate services and review resources on the UF Innovate l Pathways website. (Start with the main Pathways page.)
Review video Maximizing the Potential of your Innovations and Career on the UF Innovate I Pathways website.
Enroll in an “Intro to NSF I-Corps” workshop training and explore unmet needs in the marketplace
Enroll in Intellectual Property for Innovators free workshop hosted by UF Innovate to learn the basics and earn a certificate.
Review monthly UF Innovate Pathways Newsletter for tips, upcoming local and national training and funding opportunities and inspirational successes.
Review monthly UF Innovate Pathways Newsletter for tips, upcoming local and national training and funding opportunities and inspirational successes.
Attend UF Innovate and other campus innovation and entrepreneurship training events.
UF Innovate offers assistance to UF faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdocs with services in technology licensing, venture funding, business incubation, NSF I-Corps training, and, of course, guiding your Pathways in technology translation. Connect with us.
“Invent” shifts toward the creation and validation of your innovative ideas. Activities involve crystallization of the idea, creation of prototypes, securing intellectual property, and initial testing or demonstration of the invention. The main aim is to take the idea from conceptual to concrete and ensure it is unique and sound.
Collaborate to solve problems / unmet needs in the marketplace.
Enroll in NSF I-Corps 5-week Regional Course to identify the target customers and the value your technology can bring, connect with mentors and earn a certificate.
Understand the market opportunity and competition.
Generate proof of concept data.
File an invention disclosure with UF Innovate.
Collaborate with UF Innovate early to seek intellectual property protection to retain competitive advantage.
Review UF Intellectual Property Policy.
Understand prior agreements and third-party rights that may impact your intellectual property.
Learn about confidentiality and ownership obligations.
Expand connections with stakeholders in your industry ecosystem.
In “advance,” focus on refining your invention, navigating potential challenges, and understanding the critical risks and opportunities related to bringing your product to market. This phase includes activities such as deep market analysis, further validation, and strategic planning to commercialize the technology.
Identify collaborators to develop / translate / validate your technology (generate data, create prototype and test…).
Seek funding, training and mentorship to accelerate technology development / translation.
Understand product development challenges and risks impacting your work and develop a plan to overcome them.
Demonstrate why your solution is better than the competition.
Continue to pursue NSF I-Corps training to identify best market and the commercialization pathway for your technology.
Collaborate with UF Innovate and connect with industry partners.
Learn to pitch your technology.
Finally, the “propel” stage is where you actively work on putting your technology in the market. This involves seeking funding, forming commercial partnerships, developing a robust business model, and actively pitching to investors. The goal is to successfully launch the product into the market and sustain its growth.
Discuss strategies for commercialization or licensing IP to an existing company or the formation of a new startup with UF Innovate licensing officer.
Understand university rules & guidelines including conflict-of-interest policies and inventor responsibilities.
Discuss plans to form a new startup with your UF Innovate licensing officer and Pathways director and tap ecosystem resources.
Develop the business model, learn the first steps needed to form a new startup, and seek early-stage non-dilutive funding.
Connect with the UF Innovate Ventures and seek mentorship, professional management and prepare to raise venture investment.
UF faculty, postdocs, students and staff can contact us for help at any point along their journey to making the most impact with their technology.
747 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Suite 108 Gainesville, FL 32601
P.O. Box 115575
Gainesville, FL 32611-5575
Tech Licensing: (352) 392-8929
Ventures: (352) 392-8929
Pathways: (352) 392-2577
The Hub: (352) 294-0885
747 SW 2nd Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32601
Sid Martin Biotech: (386) 462-0880
12085 Research Drive
Alachua, FL 32615
