Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University Libraries has opened applications for the 2025 Intelligence++ Ventures funding. This initiative offers grants of $5,000 to undergraduate or graduate students aiming to commercialize innovative products, services, and technologies designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Established in 2020, the Intelligence++ program is a collaborative effort with the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education (InclusiveU) and the College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Design. It aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through an interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages students from various fields to create solutions addressing challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities.

Students participating in this program engage in hands-on activities that combine design thinking, entrepreneurship, and social impact principles. Gianfranco Zaccai ’70 H’09 collaborates with these students at the Blackstone LaunchPad within Syracuse University Libraries.

The Zaccai Foundation for Augmented Intelligence supports this program financially, thanks to Gianfranco Zaccai's generous donation. This support emphasizes transforming research and creativity into practical applications promoting accessibility and empowerment for those with disabilities.

“From artificial intelligence to digital technologies and physical products, this field is positioned for rapid growth,” states Zaccai. He hopes that the program will attract diverse academic disciplines' students to foster innovation in accessibility. “Participating students can join the leading edge of innovation.”

The Intelligence++ Ventures initiative extends additional funding and resources to help students commercialize their ideas. Students from all schools can apply regardless of their participation in the original course. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. While participation in the initial program isn't mandatory, applicants should show discovery work with relevant stakeholders validating their inventions or innovations.

Applicants must provide a detailed project proposal accompanied by a business commercialization plan outlining production and sales strategies. They need to demonstrate partnerships capable of producing their innovations or have technical teams ready for market deployment within six months. Successful applicants may seek a second grant for new product lines, but only two grants are permitted per student through this initiative.

A faculty group specializing in disability studies will review proposals.

Further details about Intelligence++ can be found online or requested via email or by visiting Bird Library Room 123.