Lab-to-Launch
Lab-to-Launch by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation funds Virginia university spinouts to commercialize innovative research and technologies through streamlined IP licensing.
Funder: Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000 per award; 1:1 matching funds required; typical project duration 3–9 months
Summary: Accelerates commercialization of technologies from Virginia’s R1 universities by supporting Virginia-based spinouts with IP licensing and early-stage funding.
Key Information: Must license IP via the Virginia Fast-Track License; prior VIPC commercialization funding generally disqualifies applicants.
Description
This program supports the commercialization of high-growth technologies emerging from Virginia’s six R1-designated research universities. Through the Lab-to-Launch initiative, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) provides up to $50,000 in grant funding (requiring a 1:1 match) to Virginia-based, for-profit spinouts that are licensing university intellectual property through the Virginia Fast-Track License. The program aims to bridge the gap between invention and startup formation by offering streamlined licensing, entrepreneur-in-residence support, enhanced IP discoverability, and connections to investors and industry partners. The ultimate goal is to double the number of university spinouts in Virginia and foster statewide economic growth through research commercialization.
