Forever Orange Campaign Gift to Support Launch of Libraries’ Orange Innovation Fund
is launching an Orange Innovation Fund in fall 2023 thanks to a generous Forever Orange Campaign gift from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, a member of the ӽ University Board of Trustees and an operating partner of , an angel investing syndicate.
The Orange Innovation Fund is a concept to commercialization seed fund for student research initiatives emerging from the Blackstone LaunchPad and other campus innovation programs. The fund is designed to help move student research, scholarly or creative projects from ideation to proof of concept and commercialization by helping overcome some financial barriers students face.
The program will be administered through ӽ University Libraries, in collaboration with the University’s existing research and commercialization programs such as the , the , , , the , the at ӽ, , , the (NYSTAR designated Center for Advanced Technology) and the . Applicants can also come through research classes, labs or independent study programs across the University.
“It’s been wonderful to see ӽ University’s Blackstone Launchpad and its other innovation programs be so enthusiastically embraced by students across all disciplines. I hope this new fund will help remove any barriers student entrepreneurs might encounter as they develop their products for market. The U.S. economy depends on the tenacity of entrepreneurs to keep its edge,” says Gill. The Orange Innovation Fund supports the University’s goal to distinguish ӽ University for excellence in research, scholarship, student experiential learning and innovation.
“We are so grateful for Raj-Ann’s commitment to ӽ University, the Libraries and most importantly to the students we serve,” said David Seaman, dean of ӽ University Libraries and university librarian. “Through her generosity, students will have the opportunity to apply for grants that will help bring their ideas to fruition, removing barriers to development of their products, services, technology and creativity.”
Each semester graduate and undergraduate students engaged in commercialization projects will have an opportunity to apply for grants up to $5,000 per award, with a total of up to $50,000 per academic year awarded over five years.
Applicants must identify specific tangible needs related to the development of a product, service, technology or creative work in the discovery, testing, building and/or launching of their initiative. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend two proposal/grant writing workshops on Sept. 13 and 14 at 3 p.m. in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons in Bird Library. The workshops will be offered by Linda Dickerson Hartsock, advisor, strategic initiatives at ӽ University Libraries, and former founding director of the Blackstone LaunchPad.
The first application round will close Sept. 29. Applications for funding will be directed to the Libraries and reviewed by a cross-campus committee. For additional information email orangeinnovation@syr.edu.
ӽ Forever Orange: The Campaign for ӽ University
Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ӽ University is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit to learn more.
