Research Innovation Spotlight Series
Connecting private industry leaders to researchers developing innovative technologies and life science breakthroughs at Southern California’s top research universities and institutions.
Building bridges that accelerate research commercialization
We created this invite-only virtual program to accelerate the commercialization of highly promising applied research being developed at Southern California’s top research institutions by connecting the primary investigators to selected industry professionals with deep subject matter expertise. These highly technical presentations followed by moderated audience Q&A provide corporate scouts and frontier tech investors a curated, engaging experience that is conducive to identifying collaboration and investment opportunities directly with the researchers and ultimately to help bring the breakthroughs to the next phase in the commercialization process.
How the Research Innovation Spotlight Series Works
Identify compelling research topics
Selected topic areas match corporate and investor innovation agendas and R&D focus.
Identify researchers
We solicit recommendations from tech transfer offices to identify suitable researchers currently seeking relationships with industry.
Select researchers
We utilize subject matter experts with industry experience to select the four researchers who best match industry interests.
Invite industry leaders
We personally invite selected industry professionals, mostly corporate scouts and early stage investors.
It's showtime!
The mini-showcase via Zoom features four researchers who each get 10 minutes to present followed by 10 minutes of moderated audience Q&A.
Make connections
After the showcase we ensure all attendees can connect with the researchers and each other. Plus we post the recording to our site.
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Most Recent Spotlight: Small Molecule Oncology 1.23.2024
Our most recent Research Innovation Spotlight featured four researchers developing pharmacological advances for the treatment of several cancer types.
Check out the archive to see recordings of previous Spotlights
We have summaries and recordings of all past Spotlight presentations available on our Archive page across Life Science and Technology topics. Previous topics include Immunology, Robotics, Genomics, Energy Storage, Cell Therapy, and more.
Why do industry leaders participate?
- Better understand compelling innovative solutions that are being created at the university level – as well as the trends that are driving them
- Discover curated research and innovators that match their corporate innovation priorities without having to visit multiple universities or navigate access to researchers
- Virtual demo day benefits:
- See multiple solutions and technologies in one virtual session
- Interact directly with the innovators to discuss possible future applications and build future relationships
- Engage critical stakeholders in these discussions without travel/time hurdles
Why do research institutions and principal investigators participate?
- Introduce their research to knowledgeable corporations and VC’s that could help fund their innovation
- Receive valuable feedback from the commercial sector and insights into the commercial applicability of their work
- Virtual demo day benefits:
- Engage with a small group of directly relevant corporate innovation leaders and venture investors
- Initiate valuable long-term relationships that are relevant to current and future research
Meet our Life Science track partner: BioscienceLA
The Alliance partners with BioscienceLA to produce the Life Science track of the Research Innovation Spotlight Series. We rely on their subject matter expertise and relationships with leaders in biotech, medtech, and all things life science to ensure we are providing relevant and valuable programming for the innovation community.
About BioscienceLA
Founded in 2018, BioscienceLA is the innovation catalyst for life sciences and health innovation in the greater Los Angeles region, accelerating the growth of funding, space, and talent, as well as messaging and awareness-building. The independent not-for-profit organization was seeded by LA County and has backing from Amgen, PhRMA, Richard Lundquist, Richard Merkin, City of Hope, and Cedars-Sinai, among others.
Its mission is to ensure that Los Angeles has a collaborative, well-coalesced ecosystem that encompasses biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical diagnostics, bioinformatics, healthcare IT, medtech, digital health, and more. BioscienceLA aims to advance the region’s capacity and pace of innovation by harmonizing the efforts of all stakeholders, including academic institutions, research hospitals, investors, startups, mature companies, trade associations, and public and quasi-public agencies. Learn more at BioscienceLA.org
Upcoming events
Check out our events calendar to see upcoming opportunities to connect with the innovation community in Southern California.
