Get Venture Ready: From Idea to Investment
From lab discovery to fundable startup - learn what it really takes.
Join founders, funders, and ecosystem leaders for a practical look at how academic research becomes a “venture-ready” startup. We’ll walk through the path from idea to company, hear candid lessons from founders who’ve spun out of universities, and highlight the Capital Region and broader NY resources that can help you take the next step.
What is this event?
This session is designed for researchers, students, and university innovators who are serious about turning ideas into companies. We’ll break down what “venture ready” actually means, share real founder stories, and introduce you to the people and programs that can help you move faster.
You’ll hear from:
Former Founders who have spun out of universities, secured funding, and built companies.
Regional Innovation Ecosystem Leaders who run programs like the Venture Readiness Program and NSF I-Corps.
Capital Region Resources that provide funding, facilities, and hands-on guidance across New York State.
You’ll leave with:
A clearer picture of the steps to go from research project to startup to “venture ready”
Concrete examples of how other university founders navigated funding and partnerships
A sense of who does what in the Capital Region innovation ecosystem
Who this is for:
Faculty and researchers curious about commercialization
Graduate students and postdocs considering a startup path
Tech transfer and commercialization office staff
Early-stage founders with university ties
Investors, mentors, and ecosystem partners who support research-based ventures
Whether you just have an idea or are already prototyping and talking to customers, you’ll get value from hearing how others have moved from concept to successful company.
Agenda:
🕠 5:30–6:00 PM - Networking & LaunchBox Tours
Arrive, grab a drink, meet other founders and researchers, and take a guided tour of the LaunchBox facilities.
🗣 6:00–6:15 PM - Welcome & Purpose
CEG, LaunchBox, and Emerging Innovations Consulting set the stage: why this event exists, how to walk the path from academic research to company formation, and what “venture ready” looks like for the region.
🚀 6:15–6:35 PM - Founder Spotlight & Lessons Learned
Founders from university spin-out companies will share their journey and dive deep into their lessons learned.
🤝 6:35–7:05 PM - Resource Showcase
Reverse-pitches from the resources and programs in the Capital Region that can actually help you
🍷 7:05 PM - Networking & Additional LaunchBox Tours
Additional networking with founders, resource partners, and investors. We'll have follow-up conversations, intros, and additional facility tours.
About your hosts:
Center for Economic Growth (CEG)
The Center for Economic Growth is the regional business and economic development organization for New York’s Capital Region. Through programs like the Venture Readiness Program, CEG supports early-stage startups, connects founders to mentors and investors, and strengthens the area’s innovation ecosystem.
To learn more and apply to the Venture Readiness Program, visit CEG's website: https://www.ceg.org/venture-readiness-program/
Emerging Innovations Consulting (EIC)
Emerging Innovations Consulting helps academic researchers and early-stage biotech teams translate science into sustainable startups. Led by Dr. Scott Alpizar, EIC provides commercialization strategy, fundraising support, and mentoring for founders navigating the path from lab to market.
Interested in learning more? Check out EIC's website: https://www.emerginginnovationsconsulting.com/
LaunchBox
LaunchBox is an innovation hub and startup accelerator space in Latham, NY, designed to connect entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry partners. It provides facilities, programming, and community resources that help founders turn great ideas into scalable ventures.
To learn more about the LaunchBox, visit https://launchbox.co/