We are focused on academic innovators seeking to commercialize and deploy their discoveries for positive social impact. Importantly, we do not require that the innovator leave academia to launch and participate in a new venture.  AIC believes that more discoveries can be unlocked from academic research by providing support to, and reducing friction for, “reluctant” or “startup-curious” academic innovators.

AIC is seeking to support innovations in “Deep Tech” – that is, innovations rooted in fundamental scientific or engineering breakthroughs, rather than incremental or purely digital improvements. These are technologies that push the boundaries of what is physically or scientifically possible, spanning fields such as:

Advanced Materials Quantum Technologies Semiconductors and Electronics

AI and Machine Learning Photonics and Optoelectronic Energy and Climate Tech

Space and Aerospace Technologies

AIC focuses on innovations at the pre-venture or early venture-formation stage - those poised to explore commercialization but typically before securing outside seed funding.  AIC often engages at the earliest stages, collaborating with academic innovators to explore the potential of their research.

AIC seeks to engage with innovators at the “fulcrum point” for launching new discoveries from academic research down the commercialization path for maximum impact – beyond the lab and into the “real” world.