Innovation Framework

What is the pathway to innovation at ICS?

At the Institute for Convergent Science (ICS), we use a well-defined pathway to innovation — The ICS Innovation Framework — which is a series of steps leading to the end goal of a proposed project. Think of our framework as the three steps you might take when preparing for race. Each step includes purposeful combinations of talent, resources and physical environments.

Flexible framework. Faster progress.

The steps of the ICS Innovation Framework are not necessarily linear, and some innovations may not need to go through all phases, depending on where they are in the development pipeline. Whether you’re a faculty or student researcher, industry or academic partner or entrepreneurial collaborator, this nonlinear process will increase your engagement and efficacy at the stages that best align to your projects. This flexibility allows you to move nimbly and get the right innovation support at the right time.

Many pathways. Step-by-step support.

We want it to be a cultural norm that everyone understands that there are many pathways to innovation – and that all pathways require resources and support. Moving ideas and discoveries from basic science to the market may involve licensing technologies to industry, developing new products and services, or launching startup companies. Whether your pathway involves a scientific device, novel therapy, non-profit-based social innovation, or a commercial startup, our framework allows you to follow a bridge to success that offers targeted support and resources that you need at each step of your innovation journey.

What are the steps of the ICS Innovation Framework?

The ICS Innovation Framework allows you to progress through a series of three steps as you develop research for the commercial market and prepare to make a real-world impact with your ideas.

Step 1: Ready (Converge)

This first phase is for projects just starting out and focuses on brainstorming, capacity building, team building and design thinking. Our framework brings together innovators who have similar ideas or interests and connects them with people who may be able to help address related problems. Learn more: Step 1

Convergent Commons Idea Space (1st Floor of Genome Sciences Bldg.)

Step 2: Set (Develop)

This pre-commercial phase opens up a middle space where teams can develop their intellectual property, refine their inventions and create prototypes for testing. Teams also get robust support from ICS regarding market trends, investors, industry connections and other pre-commercial idea developments. Learn more: Step 2

AGILE Project Space (2nd Floor of Genome Sciences Bldg.)

Step 3: Go (Launch)

The final phase signifies execution of the end goal, like launching a startup, licensing a technology to industry, securing a grant for research that will shape policy, or moving a social innovation into the world. For innovators whose paths lead them to found a startup company, the KickStart Accelerator Space offers ample physical spaces and support resources built around the needs of young science-based ventures. These include common lab space and equipment, private lab space, an open wet lab, and office cubes and meeting rooms. Learn more: Step 3

KickStart Accelerator Space (2nd Floor of Genome Sciences Bldg.)