Center for Accelerated Innovation

The University of California Center for Accelerated Innovation (UC CAI) is a collaboration of the five University of California medical campuses. The accelerator works to translate NHLBI- and NIDA-funded discoveries to improve health and health care and address unmet medical needs. With the transition of these technologies intended to be accelerated through the application of business and product-development practices.

UC CAI offers a Biomedical Pitch Day, which is a forum for UC Faculty to pitch advanced translational programs, (including devices, health IT/wireless, diagnostics, and tools) to a group of potential investors. The program offers other resources available for skills development and for researchers. And UC Biomedical Research Acceleration, Integration, and Development (BRAID) oversees CAI, which leverages the expertise and resources of the five BRAID medical center campuses and works to translate discoveries into innovative products with commercial products.

During the pitch days offered through the UC CAI program, possible technologies are given an opportunity for exposure, critical feedback, and networking with potential investors. Investors interested in projects then work with the faculty and Technology Transfer Office associated with the respective campuses faculty to determine the terms for investment and potential company launch. The program does not guarantee any level of funding. The UC Biomedical Pitch Day happens once a year, with it taking place February 10, 2020, and application periods happening a few months before the final pitch day.

The UC CAI has four stated goals:

• Engage University of California research innovators in entrepreneurism through a comprehensive education, training, and mentorship program
• Solicit and select technologies with high commercial potential that align with the NIH Institute's mission and address unmet medical needs or significant scientific opportunity
• Incubate the most promising technologies in accordance with industry requirements to facilitate their translation to commercial products that improve patient care and enhance health
• Create a high-performing, sustainable infrastructure that can serve as a model to academic research centers