
Program Manager
University at Buffalo – Business & Entrepreneur Partnerships – Innovation Hub
“The Buffalo Innovation Accelerator Fund is a technology commercialization fund administered by the University at Buffalo and supported by Empire State Development. The fund supports technology development projects that work to de-risk the technology and enable the innovation to become more attractive for licensing to established companies or to catalyze the formation of an investible startup.
The innovators, competing for these funds, present their project plan to an external review board of experts. The fund candidates must adeptly present their traditional research in business terms and demonstrate the extent of the commercial opportunity, the risks associated with the opportunity and the plans to mitigate that risk.
Rhonda has been instrumental in our innovator’s success since we launched this program in early 2019. She coaches the innovators on how to tell a concise and compelling story. With her partnership, we continue to update and improve the process with each cohort. She has a unique perspective that teaches skills to break down complex research into relatable stories that are easily understood by a variety of audiences. Rhonda is passionate about working with individuals who want to have a positive, lasting impact on society by advancing scientific discoveries. She is wonderful to work with and a vital partner.”