Overview
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation’s Accelerate Fund provides funding opportunities to help viable startups and bring more UT innovations to the world.
The Venture Launch Program and Accelerate Fund, with its initial $5 million provided by the UT System, aims to start, grow and retain startups by connecting UT’s innovators with startup capital and providing them with the resources needed to transform their ideas into companies through early mentorship and guidance for commercialization. Investments will range from $20,000 to $150,000.
The UTRF Accelerate Fund supports new ventures from the UT’s research portfolio. Managed by UTRF, the fund is uniquely positioned to assess new ventures created from UT’s innovations. The licensing professionals help identify opportunities and the Investment Advisory Committee makes recommendations on ventures to invest. Since the UTRF Accelerate Fund supports UT’s technologies, its portfolio spans several industries, including mobility and human health.
Eligibility
While the innovation must originate from UT, the startup founders do not have to be UT-based. Funding recommendations will be recommended by an investment advisory committee made up of investors and entrepreneurs. The timeline varies on a case-by-case basis and can take up to nine months to reach an investment decision. The committee will meet bi-annually. Rolling submissions are accepted, so there is no deadline by which an individual must submit.
Companies eligible to receive funding include:
- Companies founded to commercialize UT’s intellectual property
Apply for Funding
Click here to access the Accelerate Fund application.
Applicants must submit a presentation using the slide deck template provided with the application, their business plan and executive summary, and a short video.
Questions?
Please email Maha Krishnamurthy at mkrishn1@tennessee.edu.