Innovation Moonshot Initiative
Launching four new companies in one year, powered by UND research, talent, and entrepreneurial support.
What is the Innovation Moonshot Initiative?
Inspired by President Andrew Armacost’s vision shared in the 2025 State of the University Address, the Innovation Moonshot Initiative reflects the University of North Dakota’s commitment to turning research into real-world impact. By strengthening a campus-wide culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, UND is accelerating the path from discovery to commercialization—advancing ideas, empowering innovators, and driving economic growth across North Dakota.
The initiative’s goal is to launch four companies based on UND intellectual property within one year.
The Innovation Moonshot Phases
The Innovation Moonshot Initiative provides a clear pathway for turning discovery into real-world impact. It begins by identifying promising research and emerging technologies at UND, then advancing those ideas through validation.
Phase One focuses on recruiting and preparing participants through tailored pathways based on their experience level: early-stage researchers validate market potential, and those with prior validation experience receive 1:1 coaching to advance toward acceleration. Regardless of the path, all participants work toward a common goal of submitting a pitch deck and executive summary to apply for the Summer Lift-Off Accelerator.
Phase Two supports selected teams as they advance their ideas into venture-ready solutions. Participants refine business models, deepen customer discovery, and engage with mentors and industry experts to strengthen feasibility, scalability, and market readiness, culminating in a polished pitch deck and executive summary ready for funding, partnerships, or commercialization opportunities.
After the Summer Accelerator, selected teams will move on to Phase Three, where they receive dedicated support to successfully launch and grow their ventures. Participants can receive financial awards to support launch activities. This phase includes ongoing guidance through structured programming, such as weekly deliverables and regular office hours with entrepreneurial and program mentors. Teams continue to build toward key milestones, including launching a business entity and negotiating license agreements.
Get Involved
Get involved in the Innovation Moonshot Initiative by connecting with our team and exploring how you can contribute—whether by advancing a research idea, joining a startup, partnering with UND, or supporting innovation efforts.
To learn more or start the conversation, reach out to UND.moonshot@UND.edu.
