Boca Raton and Gainesville, FL (December 5, 2011)- The Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today that it has hired a Program Manager to oversee delivery of its new Seed Capital Accelerator Program which provides early-stage capital to qualifying companies that have spun out of Florida’s universities and research organizations. The Institute supports new company and job creation based on publicly funded research across the state, and Ms. George is based in Gainesville at the Florida Innovation Hub at University of Florida.
“I’m very excited to be working with the Institute as it expands and offers new and innovative programs for startup companies”, said Ms. George. “The Seed Capital Accelerator Program provides capital in the form of loans to spinout companies, and entrepreneurs must match the funds with private investment which enables them to bridge funding gaps and reach critical product development and commercialization milestones.”
Prior to working with the Institute, Ms. George worked as a Fund Administrator with an angel investment group in Gainesville and as a private business consultant focusing on startups. Ms. George completed her MBA with concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Competitive Strategy at the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida, and has developed several companies on her own
“Now in its third year of operation, the Institute has become a valuable resource for new company creation by identifying potential management and investors who have an interest in collaborating with Florida’s universities and research institutes,” said Jane Teague, Institute Interim Executive Director. “The seed capital program underscores Florida’s commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and will help promising new companies create high-wage, high skill jobs in the state.”