The Institute of the Commercialization of Public Research (ICPR), a partner of Florida’s universities, has announced a funding agreement with materials manufacturer Garmor.
ICPR works with universities across the state of Florida to generate new companies through spin-out activity. As part of the new deal, Florida-based Garmor will invest in ICPR’s $10m Seed Capital Accelerator Program, which aims to assist university-linked startups bridge the valley of death.
Anastasia Canavan, president and chief executive of Garmor, said: “Through sponsored research at UCF, Garmor demonstrated and proved that when used as an additive its graphene improves several material properties of composite materials. This funding, combined with our private investment, enables us to focus on volume manufacturing and customized product development. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of seed funding for companies like Garmor that are commercializing university technologies.”
Jamie Grooms, ICPR chief executive, added: “Garmor is a great example of a Florida-based company leveraging advancements in technology, in this case the discovery of graphene, to enable corporations across multiple industries to deploy better products more cost-effectively. Florida universities and research institutions are making new discoveries every day, improving every aspect of how we live, work and play.”
