Technology Commercialization Services (TCS) will help you identify sources of support for your new ventures from internal programs as well as external capital providers such as CT Innovations, angel investors and venture capitalists. An early form of funding required is often proof of concept funding to prove the viability of your idea.

With money from the University of Connecticut royalty account, a Proof of Concept Fund, managed by TCS, has been created. This is because it is not unusual for TCS to be presented with an invention in its early stage of development. It is also not unusual to hear from a prospective licensee, or investor, that they need to see a prototype or need to see the results of proof of principle experiments before they will consider taking a license or investing. The Proof of Concept Fund was created to reduce the risk for possible licensees or investors that have been identified.

Procedure for Selection

Prior to submission of the application, potential projects will be reviewed internally by staff from Technology Commercialization Services (TCS) to verify that the application meets the basic criteria. If it does not, the proposal will be returned for possible revision.

Once TCS invites an application, it will be assigned to one of the Licensing Directors who will work with the submitting investigator primarily, though not exclusively, on budget and milestones. It is anticipated that the application and proposal will be submitted to a Selection Committee within one month of being assigned to a Director.

The Selection Committee, composed of representatives from TCS,  the School of Business, Connecticut Innovations and others external to the university, will determine which projects get funded. It is anticipated that the Selection Committee will meet within one month of receiving an application.

• If the proposal is rejected, the applicant is so informed and told why in writing.
• If the proposal is accepted without revision, the applicant is so informed and the first payment is initiated by TCS.
• If the proposal is accepted with revisions, the applicant is so informed and will work with the assigned TCS Director to make the required revisions. Once made, the proposal is re-submitted to the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee shall meet no less than quarterly to review previous Committee decisions, review projects submitted within the previous month, review ongoing projects, discuss communication protocols, broad based fund promotion to assure the faculty members that the fund is open and follows a competitive process, and to address any organizational or governance issues necessary to conduct the business of the fund.

Terms and Conditions

Inventors may apply for such funds only to build a prototype or to complete proof of principle experiments. The Prototype Funds cannot be used for basic research. Thus, an invention disclosure must be submitted and favorably reviewed by TCS to be eligible for funding. The project must be based on protectable IP and be the basis for a viable commercial opportunity based on market size, market need, competition, barriers to entry and the like.

Preference will be given to those projects where the applicant is located in Connecticut, is utilizing UConn IP,  and which, if successful, would have a positive economic impact for the state. Preference will also be given to those projects which use prototype funds as a partial match for full funding of the budget.

Proposals shall describe the methodologies to be used and measurements to be taken. Applicants shall be required to demonstrate their capability for completing the project, e.g. by providing their C.V., references and/or formal presentation of the project. The proposal shall identify the specific criteria to be met at each milestone, including and especially the final result.

It is anticipated that prototype projects will be completed within 9 months and will require no more than $75,000. There are no lump sum awards. After an initial payment to get the project started, additional portions of the total amount funded will be paid only upon completion of specific milestones in an agreed upon time frame. Failure to meet a milestone in an agreed upon amount of time may result in termination of the project. Such milestones and money needed to complete the next milestone must be a component of the requested budget. The budget must also include line items for materials, supplies, animals, services (including those of contracted prototype vendors), salaries for faculty or students (salaries shall not be paid to personnel of unaffiliated licensees) and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Selection Committee. A detailed report describing progress against the milestones must be submitted to the TCS within thirty (30) days of the end of each calendar quarter as well as at the end of the project term.

A TCS Licensing Director will be appointed to work with you as well as act as a liaison between the applicant and the Selection Committee.