Innovation2Market | Edson E+I Institute

About

As a member of the ASU community — whether faculty, staff or a graduate student — you are untangling some of the world’s most pressing challenges with your research and expertise. Innovation2Market at Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute provides you with the resources and guidance you need to commercialize your work and make it available to the world.

The Innovation2Market initiative provides commercialization pathways from the early stages of your research so you can navigate hurdles such as patents to protect your IP and SBIR and STTR funding opportunities. Innovation2Market enhances the capacities of ASU’s incredible faculty, staff and graduate students while promoting collaboration with mentors, other departments and leadership at the institutional level.

Resources

From ideation and validation to scaling, Innovation2Market provides ASU faculty, staff and graduate students with the resources, mentorship and connections needed to translate their cutting-edge research into real-world applications. Discover the variety of resources below and join the community.

Faculty Impact Network:

Surround yourself with a community of fellow researchers and innovators, as well as a resource platform that empowers the ASU academic community with entrepreneurial tools and processes to help grow their research and impact portfolios.

Lab to Launch (L2L): Fuel Your Venture’s Future

Prepare your venture for real funding and expert support at Lab to Launch , ASU’s flagship pitch and commercialization event tailored for faculty and researcher-led startups.

At L2L, you’ll join Edson E+I, FSE, Skysong Innovations, InvestU, and Corporate Engagement and Strategic Partnerships (CESP) for a day of preparation, connection, and opportunity:

Pitch development and coaching support
SBIR/STTR grant assistance and microgrants
Key sessions with experts from the Arizona Commerce Authority, SkySong Innovations, and InvestU
Participate in the SkySong Innovations Startup Challenge

Non-dilutive seed funding awards will be distributed to support your commercialization efforts, plus select teams applying for SBIR/STTR funding will receive microgrants for application assistance.

Whether you’re pitching, exploring, or supporting innovation at ASU, Lab to Launch is your gateway to commercialization success.

Ready to take your venture to the next level?

Join ASU’s leading commercialization events hosted by Edson E+I and compete for funding, mentorship, and exposure.

Spaces are limited — don’t miss your opportunity to connect with ASU’s top innovation partners.

Lab to Launch (pitch competition):

Pitch your idea for a chance to earn a share of $150,000 in available seed funding.

Inventor Series:

Join a cohort of like-minded faculty to define, grow and build traction for your commercialization projects through collaboration and mentorship.

SBIR/STTR application support:

Navigate the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grant application process with knowledgeable and experienced guides.

Other general Edson E+I Institute resources to explore:

Dig into the Edson E+I resources to build confidence in testing and marketing your ideas.

Edson E+I regularly hosts events for entrepreneurs and innovators. These events range from networking meetups to intensive workshops on business development. Explore our events calendar to find upcoming opportunities and get connected with the Innovation2Market community by signing up for our newsletter, your key to discovering new ways to get involved.

Testimonials

What faculty -founders are saying about the program:

My entrepreneurial journey began with a personal challenge — managing migraines — which motivated me to develop an LED specifically designed for individuals who share this experience. In collaboration with Dr. Todd Schwedt at Mayo Clinic Arizona, we brought together a multidisciplinary team to address this pressing health issue with an innovative solution. Receiving the Flinn Foundation grant is a testament to the impact of this work and will help accelerate the process of scaling the product to reach those who need it most. I am also deeply appreciative of the support provided by ASU’s E+I Institute, which plays an important role in guiding the growth of our venture.

Nina Sharp Founder of DESmart Lab