Advancing discoveries into real-world health solutions requires more than scientific excellence; it depends on access to expertise, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary partnerships that extend beyond academic settings. In alignment with its mission to connect people, resources, and ideas to accelerate research translation, Tufts CTSI, together with partners at Tufts University, Tufts Medical Center, MIT, and Northeastern University, launched Innovate2Impact (i2i) in fall 2025. i2i serves as a hub-wide initiative designed to strengthen translational capacity and support clinical and healthcare innovation across the region.

 

i2i supports scientists, clinicians, and health researchers in developing promising innovations—including medical products, technologies, or practice improvements—with the potential to improve health outcomes. Moving innovations from concept to implementation presents significant challenges, such as securing funding beyond proof of concept and navigating regulatory, operational, and market considerations. i2i addresses these barriers by convening academic, clinical, and industry partners and integrating resources from across Tufts CTSI’s rich innovation ecosystem. This collaborative model reflects the broader CTSA emphasis on breaking down silos and accelerating translation through shared learning and coordinated support.

 

This initiative launched with an Innovation Expo in October 2025 at Tufts University School of Medicine. Open to researchers, innovators, investors, and the broader public, the Expo showcased a diverse portfolio of health-related innovations through lightning talks and poster presentations and created new opportunities for connection, feedback, and collaboration.

The Expo provided an initial point of engagement for an educational program that followed, which consisted of two hands-on workshop series: the three-week National Science Foundation I-Corps Spark program, and a “Pitch Lab,” which was taught by partners at The Auster Center for Applied Innovation and Research and The Gordon Institute, both at Tufts University. Through I-Corps Spark, participants engaged in market exploration to clarify the value of their innovations and identify potential users, customers, and partners. The Pitch Lab strengthened participants’ ability to communicate impact by refining messaging and crafting compelling narratives for funders, collaborators, and decision-makers. Together, these activities embedded innovation-focused skills within the translational research process.

 

Year 1 of the i2i program culminated in the Impact Launchpad in May 2026, where $50,000 in funding was awarded. Selected teams presented their innovations to a panel of academic and industry leaders, implementation experts, and investors who assessed each project’s real-world applicability and potential for measurable impact. The winning team, Eye Care, developed eye drops to prevent blindness caused by microbial keratitis. Recognizing that successful translation is an iterative process requiring sustained guidance and partnership, all teams will be eligible for an extended period of customized mentorship from innovation experts.

 

Collectively, these activities position Innovate2Impact as a strategic platform for building translational capacity and advancing Tufts CTSI’s mission to bridge the gap between discovery and real-world application. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand i2i through new collaborations, fundraising efforts, and development of the mentorship network to further support the translation of promising innovations into improvements in health and healthcare.