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Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity Libraries’ Blackstone LaunchPad & Techstars is accepting applications on a rolling basis from undergraduate and graduate students who need help moving an idea from concept to commercialization. Grants of up to $2,500 may be awarded to individual students or teams. Applications must specifically define the need with identified outcomes to be achieved within a set timeframe. ÌýApplications for funds must be related to the development of a product, service, or technology, regulatory or compliance consulting, prototyping costs (including purchase of materials and fabrication), professional services (legal and accounting) related to incorporation, direct costs associated with intellectual property protection, legal costs for specialized contract work, third party testing and certification, or other costs deemed tangible and critical per the fund review committee. Costs such as marketing, sales, business development, advertising, travel, recurring expenses, or salaries are not eligible. The team leader must be a full-time student currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree program at Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity.

Initial money in the Innovation Fund was provided by Jeffrey Rich ’67 (College of Law), partner at Rich Michaelson Magaliff LLP, and a member of the Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity Libraries Advisory Board. Rich’s multi-year pledge is to help students pursue business startup ventures and move their ideas from concept through research and discovery to proof and commercialization.

For more information on Innovation Fund requirements or to obtain a copy of the application template, email LaunchPad@syr.edu.

Â鶹ƵµÀ the Blackstone LaunchPad & Techstars at Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity Libraries

ÌýThe Blackstone LaunchPad & Techstars at Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity Libraries is the University’s innovation hub, connecting the entire campus resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors, and creators.ÌýThe program serves faculty, staff, students, and alumni across disciplines who are interested in innovation, invention, entrepreneurship, venture creation, careers, entrepreneurial skills, diversity, equity, inclusion, and taking ideas from concept to commercialization. The program supports a key pillar of Â鶹ƵµÀUniversity’s Academic Strategic Plan to create an innovation ecosystem across the institution that prepares participants to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.