Faculty Accelerator
Translating research into commercial impact is a complex journey that requires significant effort and funding. That is why fewer than 5% of academic research initiatives in the U.S. successfully transition to commercial applications, with an even smaller fraction reaching a scale that can positively affect millions of lives.
This challenge, often referred to as the “Valley of Death,” involves hurdles such as developing sustainable business models, attracting founding teams, securing strategic capital, and effectively scaling operations. These issues are especially pronounced in emerging sectors, which demand innovative business approaches, public-private partnerships, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
At Emergence, we aim to bridge the gap between research and impact by collaborating with scholars and faculty to develop scalable solutions and connect them to a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Example Faculty Collaborations
Innovations in Climate Resilience for Health
Collaboration with Dr. John Openshaw - Assistant Professor, Infectious Disease - Medical School
Dr. John Openshaw’s research investigates the interplay between environment, health, and pathogens. He works closely with communities in Indonesia to understand the impact of extreme climate events on global health and to build local capacity for climate adaptation.
Through our collaboration with Prof. Openshaw and his lab, Emergence is developing scalable solutions to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat, particularly in informal settlements and vulnerable populations. With support from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and a network of academic and industry partners, we are pioneering innovations in climate-resilient housing for coastal communities. This work not only addresses urgent health risks—such as heat stress, cardiovascular disease, and kidney injury—but also seeks to create commercial pathways for scaling solutions that can protect billions of people worldwide from the growing threat of extreme climate events.
Innovations in Food Is Medicine
Collaboration with Dr. Christopher Gardner - Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center - Medical School
Dr. Christopher Gardner's is a Professor of Medicine at Stanford whose research focuses on the impact of diet on health outcomes. For more than two decades, he has led large clinical studies on the health benefits of dietary components and food patterns. His work also explores how dietary choices intersect with climate change, animal welfare, and labor practices across the food system.
Through our collaboration with Prof. Gardner and his lab, Emergence is working to translate this research into real-world impact. Together, we are advancing Food Is Medicine (FIM) innovations and building partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem to integrate FIM into patient care. In parallel, with support from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and a network of academic and industry partners, we are rethinking institutional food purchasing in schools, workplaces, hospitals, and other settings—where nearly half of U.S. food is consumed. This work aims to both improve dietary health and reduce the environmental footprint of food production and consumption.