Market Pathways Program

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

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
• Venture readiness assessment
• Investor and partner engagement