Overview of Events
The ALPHAConnect Vanguard program includes invitation-only quarterly breakfast events to showcase selected technologies currently in development at member universities and non-profits. Those technologists chosen to showcase their innovations during the breakfast meeting will present their technologies to a carefully targeted audience of approximately 100 high-caliber entrepreneurs and early-stage venture investors. Additional participation will be limited to Associate MAVA member event sponsors.
Creating startup companies based on University/Non-profit developed technologies can be a high potential means of commercialization. The investment community and Universities/Non-profits/Federal Labs are interested in the model but it is challenging to identify the high potential technologies and to connect them with experienced entrepreneurs to form venture fundable start-ups.
The initiative creates an effective mechanism for making those connections. Members participate in events showcasing selected technologies and connecting entrepreneurs, investors and researchers. The group has also developed a consolidated "technology list" from Universities/Non-profits and is distributing the list to VC recommended entrepreneurs. While many forums exist to showcase companies seeking Series A or later funding, few or none focus on technologies in the range from research prototype to pre-Series A.
This collaborative program will serve as a regular means for showcasing in a small, feedback oriented session, some of the most promising innovations being developed by universities today.
