The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.

The EIC Accelerator is a Horizon Europe funding program that provides assistance to start-ups and SMEs that have an innovative, game-changing product, service, or business model that has the potential to create new markets or disrupt existing ones, and have the ambition and commitment to scale up, are seeking substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors to invest alone

Founded in 1995, SOSV is a global venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey. It focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments in deep tech innovations, primarily in bio-tech/life sciences and hardware/robotics sectors, with a commitment to human and planetary health.

Established in 2020, the European Innovation Council supports innovative startups and researchers with promising ideas, focusing on early-stage companies with positive environmental, social, or governance impacts. It co-invests alongside private investors.

EASME is a European Union executive agency that supports small and medium-sized enterprises and promotes innovation in Europe. It manages projects in the areas of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the environment, energy, and maritime sectors, funded by COSME, LIFE, and EMFF. EASME organizes the European Sustainable Energy Week and serves industries such as environmental management, energy production, and maritime activities.

Founded in 2007, Innovate UK is a non-profit organization based in Swindon, UK. It supports businesses across various economic sectors by offering funding services to promote science and technology innovations.

HAX is a global venture capital-backed program dedicated to accelerating startups with a hardware element. Operating across San Francisco and Shenzhen, HAX focuses on rapid prototyping and iteration, helping teams refine their products, business plans, and launch strategies. The program culminates in market readiness support, including introductions to corporates, investors, partners, and press, as well as securing funding and gaining traction.

MassChallenge is a global startup accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries. Founded in 2009, it provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities through its programs worldwide.

Venture Kick is a Swiss initiative supporting early-stage startups with pre-seed funding and entrepreneurial training. It has awarded over CHF 24.9 million to 600 projects, creating 6,033 jobs and attracting subsequent investments worth CHF 2.49 billion.

MassVentures is a venture capital firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts, established in 1978 as a quasi-public corporation by the Massachusetts Legislature. The firm focuses on providing seed and early-stage funding to high-growth startups, facilitating their transition from concept to commercialization. MassVentures invests primarily in sectors such as information technology, healthcare, cybersecurity, e-commerce, mobile, manufacturing, and robotics. With a governance structure that includes an independent Board of Directors and management by experienced venture capitalists, MassVentures leverages the state's entrepreneurial spirit and innovation centers to support the Massachusetts innovation economy. The firm also offers accelerator programs to further assist emerging companies in their growth journey.

National Institutes of Health is a biomedical research agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, based in Bethesda, Maryland. It is the primary U.S. government organization devoted to biomedical and health research, conducting science through the Intramural Research Program and funding external research through the Extramural Research Program. The NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers and supports about 1,200 principal investigators and more than 4,000 postdoctoral fellows across basic, translational, and clinical research. It has contributed to major advances such as vaccines and therapies and is dedicated to advancing knowledge and translating discoveries into improvements in public health. Established in 1887, NIH operates as a central hub for medical research in the United States.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a technology-focused capital provider based in Philadelphia, founded in 1982 to advance the region's technology community. The organization funds and supports technology companies across Pennsylvania, especially in information technology, health, and physical sciences, investing substantial capital in early-stage and established ventures. It has invested over 170 million dollars in more than 1,750 regional technology companies and has launched university-industry partnerships to translate scientific discoveries into commercial products, while seeding regional initiatives that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and create jobs.

Founded in Sweden in 2009, Almi Invest is an active early-stage venture capital firm focusing on scalable startups across Sustainability, Industry, Tech, and Life Science sectors. With €430 million under management and over 1,000 investments since inception, the company supports startups from pre-seed to Series A stages, co-investing with private investors. Almi Invest offers engaged ownership, strategic guidance, active board participation, and access to an extensive investor network.

IndieBio is an accelerator that supports startups using biology to solve major problems, delivering four-month programs for companies and teams with ideas. Based in San Francisco with an office in New York, it focuses on life sciences, biotechnology and synthetic biology, investing in seed and early-stage ventures that place biology at the core of their technology across products, processes and software. The program favors teams with two or more co-founders and generally provides equity-based funding in the early stages, often combining direct investments with additional financing options. Founded in 2014, IndieBio operates within the SOSV accelerator network, a global platform that supports portfolio companies through mentorship, resources and cross-border programs.

Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.

The Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a seed-stage acceleration program founded in 2012 at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, Canada. It is dedicated to supporting massively scalable, science- and technology-based ventures by providing a unique coaching process focused on specific objectives. CDL connects startups with experienced entrepreneurs and leading scientists across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, quantum computing, blockchain, energy, and cleantech. The program has expanded its reach, operating in six cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and New York City, and emphasizes the commercialization of scientific and technological advancements.

Bpifrance is a financial institution dedicated to supporting companies throughout their development stages, particularly those preparing for stock market listing and seeking credit equity. The organization provides a range of financial solutions, including financing, innovation assistance, and capital investment. By integrating various entities such as OSEO and CDC Entreprises, Bpifrance aims to deliver tailored financial support that addresses the specific needs of businesses. The institution is committed to fostering innovation and helping companies transition toward sustainable growth, ensuring they are well-equipped to face future challenges.

Founded in 2016, BeAble Capital is a Madrid-based venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage companies within advanced materials, photonics, microelectronics, and information communications technologies sectors. The company bridges the gap between scientific research, entrepreneurship, and investment to facilitate technology transfer and startup creation.

Takwin is a venture capital firm and incubator based in Haifa, Israel, focused on early-stage investments in hi-tech sectors and on providing hands-on incubation and strategic support to Arab Israeli entrepreneurs, including guidance on business plans, product development, and growth strategy. It originated as a cooperative venture between Pitango and JVP to foster northern Israel startups and is recognized as the first venture capital presence in the region and the first venture infrastructure created for northern entrepreneurs.

TEDCO is an independent organization established in 1998 and located in Columbia, Maryland. It serves as the leading source of entrepreneurial business assistance and seed funding for the development of startup companies within Maryland's innovation economy. TEDCO focuses on early-stage companies across various sectors, including software, technology, energy equipment, life sciences, and oncology. Its mission is to foster innovation and economic growth in Maryland by supporting the growth of startups and enhancing the state's position in the entrepreneurial landscape.

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, Germany, specializing in early-stage investments in high-tech startups. Established in 2005, the firm focuses on technology-driven companies across various sectors, including information and communication technology, life sciences, healthcare, automation, and cleantech. HTGF typically invests in companies that have been operational for no more than one year, aiming to contribute up to €0.6 million in initial funding and up to €3 million in follow-on financing. The firm seeks a minority stake, generally around 15%, and provides a subordinated loan convertible into equity, with deferred interest for up to four years to support liquidity. With a total investment volume of approximately €895.5 million across three funds, HTGF has successfully supported over 500 startups and attracted more than €2 billion in follow-on investments from external sources. The firm's investors include notable public and private entities, underscoring its role as a key player in fostering innovation and growth within the German startup ecosystem.

Founded in 2017, Grid Exponential is a science-based company builder based in Caba, Argentina. It focuses on creating high-impact, global companies by streamlining technology transfer processes in Latin America.

Samsung Venture Investment Corporation is the corporate venture arm of Samsung Electronics, founded in 1999 and based in Seoul. It maintains a global presence with activity in innovation hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, London, Tel Aviv, Bangalore, Tokyo, and Beijing, and it backs emerging technology startups across Europe, Asia, and North America. The firm sources and invests in technology companies at multiple stages, from early-stage to pre-IPO, focusing on areas including semiconductors, materials, mobile services, internet, software, security, and enterprise solutions, as well as bioengineering and medical tech. Its investment approach targets companies developing AI, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, cybersecurity, 5G, next generation displays, battery technology, digital health, and insurtech, among others, to support shaping future technologies.

Entrepreneur First is a London-headquartered platform and early-stage technology investor that helps ambitious individuals form technology startups by connecting them with potential co-founders, helping develop ideas, and accelerating funding from leading investors. The organization operates across six cities on three continents, supporting high-potential founders to build globally important tech companies. Since inception it has supported hundreds of ventures and built a network of thousands of alumni, with a portfolio valued in the billions. It is backed by prominent tech founders and investors who provide mentorship and capital to accelerate growth.

General Motors is a multinational automobile manufacturer based in Detroit. It designs, manufactures, and sells cars and trucks in regions including the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy, offering a broad lineup of sedans, crossovers, SUVs, pickups, sports cars, and hybrids, along with parts, accessories, and in-vehicle safety and information services. The company provides used vehicles and distributes its products through a network of dealers and distributors. It operates through North America, International, and Financing segments and maintains a broad brand portfolio, supported by GM Financial for customer financing. General Motors has a history of major restructuring following the 2009 bankruptcy and government involvement, including a 2010 initial public offering, and continues to pursue mobility and propulsion technology development. Headquartered in Detroit, GM is among the world’s largest automakers by vehicle unit sales.

RUSNANO is a principal investment firm based in Moscow, Russia, focused on the commercialization of high-tech projects and nanotechnology investments. Established in 2007, RUSNANO aims to develop the Russian nanotechnology industry through direct investments in private equity and venture capital, as well as fund investments. The firm prioritizes projects in sectors such as scientific research, new materials, biotechnology, energy, and robotics, with a particular interest in initiatives that will establish or modernize manufacturing facilities within Russia. RUSNANO seeks to invest in projects projected to generate significant revenue within five years and often co-invests alongside other partners. It operates through various modes of investment, including equity stakes, loans, and credit guarantees. Additionally, RUSNANO has a subsidiary, RUSNANO USA, Inc., which focuses on middle and late-stage companies in North America that support global technology development in fields such as semiconductors and advanced materials.

Sanofi is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Paris that researches, develops, manufactures, and markets medicines and vaccines for a broad range of diseases. Its portfolio covers diabetes, oncology, immunology, cardiovascular diseases, and rare disorders, along with consumer healthcare products. Sanofi pursues innovation across biologics and small-molecule therapies and maintains a robust vaccine program to address infectious diseases. The company emphasizes patient-oriented research and collaborates with partners to bring new treatments to patients worldwide.

Founded in 2009, VenBio is a California-based investment firm focused on early to late-stage investments in life science companies across the United States. It invests in promising companies at various stages and tends to lead its investments while building syndicates. VenBio's team works closely with portfolio companies to ensure they are well-positioned for potential acquisitions, considering factors such as IP, CMC, clinical trials, and regulatory aspects.

Chalmers Ventures is a Swedish venture capital firm based in Gothenburg that supports technology-driven companies through coaching, financing and business development. The firm invests across seed, early, and growth stages in Sweden, with programs that include incubation, startup camps and accelerator activities as well as a technology transfer program. It focuses on companies connected to the Gothenburg region and Sweden operating in information technology, communications, new materials, green tech, health tech and biotechnology, and seeks innovative ventures with growth potential. The firm typically makes minority investments and uses a staged funding approach, providing capital through various program phases and through balance sheet investments. It partners with ventures that participate in its programs, helping them advance from explore to scalable stages and achieve commercial success.

Oriza Seed Venture Capital, located in Suzhou Industrial Park, is held by Suzhou Oriza Holdings Ltd. Oriza Seed is a market-oriented investment platform. It looks for investment opportunities among early-stage and growth-stage enterprises in the fields of Healthcare and TMT. Oriza Seed has ample resources and experiences investing in the healthcare field. By late March 2016, Oriza Seed has invested in more than 50 healthcare companies, including Ascentage Pharma, Innovent Biologics, and SceneRay Corporation.

IP Group is a London-based corporate firm that provides financial, strategic, and commercial expertise to clients internationally. Founded in 2001, the company focuses on creating value through the commercialisation of intellectual property derived from research-intensive institutions. It manages the end-to-end process of identifying viable IP, developing or partnering to build value, and establishing commercial arrangements that translate scientific advances into practical products and businesses. IP Group combines industry insight and financial experience to support science- and technology-based ventures, offering capital as well as strategic guidance to help companies grow and accelerate the impact of research. Its work spans clean technology, life sciences, and other deep technology sectors, with a track record of backing and developing ventures that aim to deliver tangible societal and economic outcomes.

Established in 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates, this foundation is dedicated to enhancing healthcare, reducing extreme poverty globally, and expanding educational opportunities. It operates regionally with offices in Seattle, Washington D.C., New Delhi, Beijing, and London.

Foothill Ventures is a technology-focused venture capital firm based in Los Altos, California. It backs seed and early-stage startups in the United States, aiming to partner with companies developing software, hardware, and platform technologies across sectors such as healthcare, information technology, cybersecurity, big data, the internet of things, robotics, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, blockchain, augmented and virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The firm emphasizes early guidance and strategic value to portfolio companies and operates as a registered investment adviser. Foothill Ventures traces its origins to the TEEC Angel Fund and maintains a focus on deep technology and data-driven innovation.

Crowdcube Limited is an equity crowdfunding platform based in Exeter, United Kingdom, with an additional office in London. Founded in 2009, the company allows entrepreneurs of start-ups and growing businesses to raise funds from a diverse network of investors, including friends, family, and the general public. Through Crowdcube, individuals can invest in small companies in exchange for equity or an annual return, thereby democratizing access to investment opportunities that were once primarily available to corporate investors. Since pioneering equity crowdfunding in 2011, Crowdcube has facilitated over £300 million in investments from more than 390,000 investors, supporting over 520 successful fundraising campaigns. Notable businesses that have utilized the platform include Monzo, River Cottage, and the Eden Project, among others.

Park Systems Corp. is a manufacturer specializing in atomic force microscopy (AFM) systems. The company provides a comprehensive range of products, including sample and automated AFM systems, various AFM options and modes, and Park SmartScan software, which enhances the operation of its AFM systems. Park Systems caters to researchers and engineers across multiple sectors, including chemistry, materials science, physics, life sciences, semiconductors, and data storage. Additionally, the company offers analytical services to support its customers in their research and development endeavors.

European Investment Bank is the EU's long-term lending institution owned by its member states. It finances public and private sector projects across transportation, energy, telecommunications, health, education, water, housing, and other sectors in the European Union and beyond. The bank provides a range of financing tools including project loans, guarantees, debt and equity investments, and risk-sharing arrangements, as well as microfinance and venture capital funds. It also offers advisory services, infrastructure funding, and support for urban development, PPPs, and sustainable energy projects. Through infrastructure and environmental funds and partnerships with banks and intermediaries, it supports SMEs, innovation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Luminate is a startup accelerator based in Rochester, NY, funded by New York State, and focused on advancing next-generation optics, photonics, and imaging-enabled companies. The company is looking for visionary entrepreneurs working on solutions in areas such as augmented and virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, machine vision, and biophotonics. With a specific focus on difficult problems in the industry, Luminate provides support and resources to help these companies succeed in the optics and imaging capital of the world.

180 Degree Capital is an investment firm located in Montclair, New Jersey, specializing in a range of sectors including technology, nanotechnology, energy, clean technology, healthcare, and electronics. Established in 1981, the firm is recognized as a proactive investor in small technology companies, focusing on those that develop innovative nanoscale-enabled solutions across various applications such as solid state lighting, memory devices, and life sciences. 180 Degree Capital often collaborates with other venture capital firms and strategic investors, positioning itself as a lead investor in many cases. The firm adheres to a traditional early-stage venture capital model, seeking to support technology-based startups through its extensive network, technical expertise, and financial resources. It prioritizes investments in companies that demonstrate strong scientific, technological, and business capabilities, particularly those with proprietary technologies and market-centric strategies aimed at dominating significant product categories. Though primarily focused on the United States, the firm has occasionally explored international investments.

Innovation Industries, established in 2017, is a Dutch venture capital firm that invests in early-stage, high-tech, med-tech, and agri-foodtech companies. Based in Amsterdam, the firm manages multiple funds, including Innovation Industries Fund I, II, and III, with a focus on the Netherlands market. They provide capital up to EUR 25 million, typically taking minority stakes. Innovation Industries is known for its hands-on approach, actively supporting portfolio companies to strengthen their value proposition, accelerate time-to-market, and forge global strategic partnerships. The firm aims to be more than just a financial investor, acting as a partner to entrepreneurs and other stakeholders, helping to create and grow ventures.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a United States government agency established in 1958, primarily in response to advancements in space exploration by the Soviet Union. Originating from the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, NASA has a long history of advancing aeronautics and astronautics. It gained prominence for its Apollo program, which successfully landed humans on the moon in 1969. NASA has since been instrumental in various space missions, including the development of the space shuttle, which provided regular access to space from 1981 until its retirement in 2011. The agency plays a key role in the International Space Station, furthering human presence in space through international collaboration. In addition to manned missions, NASA conducts extensive scientific research, exploring planets like Mars and monitoring Earth's climate through satellites. Its aeronautics teams continue to innovate in creating safer and more efficient aircraft. Overall, NASA's work aims to expand human knowledge and capabilities in space while contributing to advancements that benefit life on Earth.

DT Capital Partners is a Shanghai-based investment firm founded in 2006, focusing on growth capital investments in early and expansion-stage companies across various sectors including advanced manufacturing, technology, healthcare, energy, consumer goods, and clean technologies. The firm primarily invests in China and has managed over USD$500 million across multiple funds.

Founded in 2009, Darwin Venture Management is a venture capital firm headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. It manages funds investing primarily in Series A/B and late-stage companies, with a focus on biotechnology, software, consumer goods, materials, equipment, semiconductors, healthcare, communication, and surveillance sectors across Taiwan and Silicon Valley.

Founded in 2010, EIT InnoEnergy is a leading European innovation engine focused on Sustainable Energy. It invests in early-stage climate tech and energy companies across Europe and the US, providing equity minority investments and added value services to de-risk projects.

BOM invests in innovative start-ups and growth companies. BOM objectives include improved economic growth, increased employment, and solutions to social problems. They offer expertise, resources, and connections through their network to create and finance renewable energy projects.

The California Energy Commission serves as the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, established by the Legislature in 1974 and headquartered in Sacramento. Its responsibilities encompass forecasting future energy needs, maintaining historical energy data, and licensing thermal power plants with capacities of 50 megawatts or greater. The Commission promotes energy efficiency by establishing appliance and building standards, collaborating with local governments to ensure compliance. It also supports public interest energy research and the development of renewable energy technologies through various incentives, including those for solar systems in new home construction and small wind installations. Additionally, the Commission implements the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program and coordinates the state's response to energy emergencies. Through these initiatives, the Commission aims to provide Californians with affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy choices.

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd. (Kyoto iCAP) is a venture capital firm established in December 2014, wholly funded by Kyoto University. Located in Kyoto, Japan, the firm focuses on providing investment and support to startups emerging from Kyoto University, with an emphasis on commercializing research outcomes and technologies developed by its researchers. Kyoto iCAP specializes in various sectors, including healthcare, medical devices, biotechnology, drug discovery, internet of things, artificial intelligence, machinery, clean technology, energy, new materials, food, and agriculture. The firm aims to bridge the gap between academic research and marketable innovations, fostering the growth of spin-off companies that leverage the university's intellectual assets.

Founded in 2012, Berkeley SkyDeck is a global startup accelerator based at UC Berkeley. It offers a six-month cohort program for startups founded by UC Berkeley students, alumni, and faculty, providing up to $100,000 in funding divided into two tranches. The accelerator is industry-agnostic and supports around 120 startups annually.

Stockholm Business Angels (STOAF) is a business angel fund established in 2008 that specializes in early-stage investments with significant growth potential in the greater Stockholm area and surrounding provinces. The fund actively seeks ventures that require not only financial support but also strategic skills intervention to enhance their development. With nearly twenty partners, STOAF has made seven investments primarily focused on the information and communication technology (ICT) and medical technology sectors. By fostering innovation in these industries, STOAF aims to contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.

Northern Light Venture Capital is a China-focused venture capital firm founded in 2005 by Feng Deng and Yan Ke. It is led by a partnership of experienced local Chinese and returnee executives and is organized around multiple managing directors. The firm backs early and growth-stage opportunities in information technology, new media, TMT, clean technologies, consumer services, and healthcare, aiming to build exceptional, lasting enterprises that can participate in the global economy by leveraging China’s industrial strength and human resources. Its portfolio includes notable technology and consumer platforms such as Meituan and Kaixin001, among others.