Venture Funding
Looking for an Investor
We can help you in polishing your business plan, assessment of required capital, and find the right investor to take your technology or startup to the next level. Whether you need proof-of-concept funding or Series A investment, TCS can guide you through the options and make the right connections.
Proof-of-Concept Funding
Proof-of-concept funding can provide a critical resource to help university innovators advance their research towards the market place. POC funds help university researchers meet important milestones to prove the value of their inventions to obtain larger investments.
START Preliminary Proof of Concept Fund
Through a generous grant provided by the CT Next Higher Education Fund, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is administering a new early stage translational research funding program called the START Preliminary Proof-Of-Concept (PPOC) Fund. Under the grant, funding will be made available to investigators at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), University of Bridgeport (UB) and UConn.
SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) SPARK Technology Commercialization Fund aims to support innovative proof-of-concept studies seeking to translate research discoveries into products, processes, and other commercial applications. We invite proposals from across all disciplines for projects related to commercialization activities. We are eager to identify and support UConn-developed inventions and technologies that address unmet needs and have potential for commercial application.
Seed Funds
Typically among the first source of external funding for early stage companies, there are select group of sources of seed investment. TCS team will work with each startup to match and connect them the most suitable funds, and help with their pitch presentations.
Federal Investment
Typically among the first source of external funding for early stage companies, there are select group of sources of seed investment. TCS team will work with each startup to match and connect them the most suitable funds, and help with their pitch presentations.
Angel Investors
Angel investors play a key role in support of innovators in our ecosystem. This includes individual investors and cohort of angels, such as Angel Investor Forum (AIF), the largest group of angel investors in CT. TCS staff will help our startup navigating through the choices, connecting with and presenting to such groups.
Venture Capital (VC)
VCs provide a broad range of investment levels to support from initial stage to the full growth of the startups. There are limited number of VCs in the state and TCS team is in touch with all to assure our startups will get appropriate exposure to these investors. Additionally, TCS team is regular contact with a larger cohort of VCs regionally and nationally, which will be tapped when needed.
Interested In Investing in a UConn Startup?
Contact
Amit Kumar, PhD
Senior Director of Licensing and Venture Development
Vivek Ramakrishnan, PhD
Director of Venture Development
