Academic Innovation Catalyst (AIC) is a new initiative that seeks to unlock more academic innovation in deep technology fields for positive social impact. AIC offers early-stage, proof of concept funding and hands-on support to academic innovators to explore “beyond the lab” applications of promising discoveries. Funds are intended to support exploration of commercialization paths, rather than basic research, whether through traditional, impact or sustainable philanthropic ventures.

AIC generally seeks to act as a “force multiplier” for existing entrepreneurial programs, incubators and accelerators and has launched a pilot partnership with the Bakar Fellows Program, the largest proof of concept funding platform at UC Berkeley. AIC intends to partner with additional programs at UC Berkeley and, in time, other top-tier research institutions as well as with like-minded philanthropists and venture investors.