How much funding does Market Pathways Program provide?

Market Pathways Program provides Stipend provided during program (amount not specified) in funding.

When is the deadline for Market Pathways Program?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Market Pathways Program

NEW JERSEY INNOVATION INSTITUTE INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Startups Technology Grants

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Funding Amount

Stipend provided during program (amount not specified)

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

NJII Market Pathways Program

Overview: A structured venture creation program focused on validating market demand and building the foundation for new companies based on NJIT research. Venture Builders work directly with NJIT faculty inventors and the NJII Venture Studio to assess venture potential and advance opportunities toward company formation.

Geographic Scope: New Jersey (NJIT-based)

Who It's For:

Experienced founders and operators (Venture Builders)

NJIT researchers with innovations

Investors and partners

Program Structure:

Duration: 12-16 week venture-building sprints

Cohort Size: 3-5 Venture Builders per cohort

Time Commitment: Typically 10-20 hours per week during active sprint

Launch: Program launches in March with matching in mid-February

Focus Areas:

Customer discovery

Market validation

Competitive positioning

Venture readiness

Technology Curation:

NJII curates high-potential NJIT-owned technologies

Selection based on: market relevance, technical defensibility, commercialization feasibility, alignment with NJII's Venture Studio model

All technologies are NJIT-owned or controlled and come through NJIT IP & Technology Licensing Office

Technology Maturity Levels:

Lab-validated prototypes

Early working systems

Patented methods or platforms with proof-of-concept

Some may include prior industry conversations or inbound interest

Benefits for Venture Builders:

Lead customer discovery and market validation

Shape venture thesis and go-to-market narrative

Work directly with NJIT faculty and NJII Venture Studio

Receive stipend during program

Positioned to lead a Venture Studio-backed company as founding executive

Potential for executive-level equity

Benefits for NJIT Researchers:

Explore venture creation without becoming founders or leaving academia

Venture Builder support focused on commercialization

Alignment with NJIT IP and licensing policies

Support from NJII professionals whose role is venture creation

Flexible involvement aligned with research priorities

Licensing Terms (Typical):

Exclusive field-of-use license

Upfront or milestone-based fee

Royalty on product revenue

Standard diligence and commercialization milestones

NJII structures licenses in startup-friendly way

Equity Structure (Typical):

NJIT (via license)

NJII (studio + capital partner)

Venture Builder (executive-level equity)

ESOP for future employees and investors

How to Apply

Application Process

For NJIT Researchers:
1. Explore venture creation opportunities for your research
2. Submit through "Explore for Your Research" option on program website

For Venture Builders:
1. Apply to work with NJIT technologies in a paid, time-bounded role
2. Submit application through "Apply as a Venture Builder" option
3. NJII screens applications
4. Selected candidates interview with two members of NJII Venture Studio team
5. Final Venture Builders invited to join cohort by mid-February
6. Venture Builder matching to technologies happens at program launch in March

For Investors & Partners:

Engage with companies and pipeline emerging from NJII Venture Studio

Partner with NJII Venture Studio

Evaluation Criteria for Technologies:

Market relevance

Technical defensibility

Commercialization feasibility

Alignment with NJII's Venture Studio model

Expected Activities During Sprint:

Customer discovery

Market validation

Competitive analysis