Entrepreneurship at Mason

Invention to Innovation Project

The goal of the Invention to Innovation Project (i2i)is to move disclosed or patented IP at George Mason University closer to commercialization, making it more attractive for licensing or company formation. The project is administered by an independent committee of local business and investment leaders, using privately-raised funds. The project is under the direction of Ian Mooers, Director, Entrepreneurial Programs, and Jennifer Murphy, Assistant Vice President, Research and Economic Development..

The project was created in 2006 to fill the "money gap" that exists between early stage research and commercialization by raising funds to develop working prototypes, identify critical success factors, and craft comprehensive business plans for raising private capital.

The committee has identifed two critical phases that require funding:

Evaluation Phase ($2,500 - $5,000)

• Preliminary case (market analysis, adoption drivers, risk factors, etc.)
• Preliminary product or prototype specifications.
• Description of critical success factors and prospects for funding.

Investment Phase ($25,000 - $50,000)

• Working prototype, detailed development plan with timeline, or pre-clinical development.
• Comprehensive business plan for raising private capital.

Management of the Invention to Innovation Project will benefit from the business and commercialization insight of an independent committee of local business and investment leaders from Northern Virginia's technology community:

Advisory Board Members (View Bios )

• Jonathan Aberman, Advisory Board Chair, Amplifier Venture Partners
• Don Rainey, Grotech Capital Group
• April Young, Comerica Bank
• Dan Gonzalez, Appian Realty Advisors
• Ginger Lew, Entrepreneur, Management Consultant
• Jill Stelfox, Defywire

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