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October 30, 2025

Startup Advice

Using SBIR & STTR Grants to Fund Your Startup

Federal commercialization grants like SBIR and STTR provide powerful, non-dilutive funding for startups and university innovations, helping bridge the gap between early research and market-ready products. These programs give inventors and entrepreneurs the capital to prove feasibility, build prototypes, and validate demand—all without giving up equity. In this post, Summit Venture Studio Managing Partner Taylor Bench explains how founders and university researchers can strategically leverage I-Corps, SBIR, and STTR grants to accelerate commercialization, improve success rates, and build sustainable companies grounded in innovation. Whether you’re a scientist preparing your first proposal or a startup founder looking for non-dilutive funding, this guide breaks down how to navigate each program and maximize your chances of success.
PrevPreviousHow to Engage Your Community and Grow Impact

About the Blog

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At Summit Venture Studio, we turn university-developed software into high-impact startups. This blog shares insights from our journey—covering early-stage validation, venture-building strategies, and founder tools. Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned operator, we’re here to equip you with practical knowledge to build smarter, faster, and with purpose.

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How to Engage Your Community and Grow Impact

October 15, 2025

This blog post is based on a Midday Connect presentation by Candy Isabel, Founder & CEO of Khamai Strategies, who guides nonprofits and organizations in centering stakeholder voice to scale their impact. Drawing from her session, 'How to Connect with the Community You Serve,' this post shares actionable advice for founders on building authentic relationships with their communities. Learn how to listen first, co-create solutions, and build trust through transparency, consistency, and accountability.
A modern computer lab scene with overlay icons showing a university building connected by a dotted line to symbols of a gear, lightbulb, and storefront, representing the journey from academic research to commercialization.

Turning Research Into Startups: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to University Tech Transfer

October 10, 2025

This comprehensive guide walks founders through the university tech transfer journey—from finding and evaluating technologies to licensing and launching startups. Learn the process, access resources, and see how Summit Venture Studio helps entrepreneurs bring research to market faster.
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Services Business vs Product Startup: What Every New Founder Needs to Know

September 30, 2025

Every founder faces the question: should I start with a services business or a product startup? This guide breaks down the pros, cons, and trade-offs of each approach to help new founders make a confident decision.
Illustration of a bridge connecting a university building icon on the left and a storefront icon on the right, symbolizing the licensing process that moves research into the marketplace.

How to License University Technology for Startup Commercialization

September 24, 2025

Feedback builds deal flow. Licensing builds startups. Founders can strengthen their relationships with tech transfer offices by providing useful feedback when passing on opportunities, and by following a clear playbook when they decide to license a university technology for commercialization.
Abstract funnel illustration with circles filtering through, symbolizing how founders evaluate and narrow down university intellectual property opportunities

How to Evaluate University IP for Startup Potential

September 16, 2025

Founders often receive invention disclosures from universities—but how do you know if the IP is worth pursuing? This guide explains how to evaluate university IP for startup potential using a clear framework.
A startup founder sits at a desk on a video call with university staff, with NDA documents and project abstracts visible on the desk.

Your Guide to the Tech Transfer Office Process

September 12, 2025

The first two weeks with a university tech transfer office can set the tone for your whole engagement. Here’s what founders should expect, from intro calls to NDAs to project lists.
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