Blogs

The term "fintech,” or financial technology, refers to technology that automates and improves the delivery and use of financial services. Growing adoption of digital payments and investments in technology-based solutions are contributing to the growth of the fintech market. As of 2023, the fintech market is worth $165.17 billion and is expected to reach over $400 billion by 2027.

Companies play an important role in providing fintech services, such as digital lending, payments, blockchain, and digital wealth management. Currently, the top fintech companies include Paypal ($25.4 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Square ($17.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and Intuit ($12.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2022).

As a result of venture capital investment, these companies are ideally positioned for further expansion. In 2021, over $130 billion was invested in fintech by venture capital firms, an increase from $49 billion in 2020. Additionally, the amount of fintech startups is growing each year, and as of 2021, there were over 26,000 fintech startups globally.

Furthermore, the sector of digital banking is becoming increasingly popular. As of 2022, 203 million people in the U.S. use digital banking compared to 196.8 million in 2021. Globally, digital payments are expected to total $8.49 trillion in 2023. 

Currently, fintech companies are continuing to receive increased revenue and funding. Campuses need to reach out and form innovation partnerships with these companies in order to stay competitive. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the fintech companies you need to further your research and development.

The Rutgers University Business School has partnered with FirstIgnite to find industry partners for collaboration opportunities. The school is committed to positively impacting the world by producing scholarly work that addresses pressing business issues, providing cutting-edge education that prepares students for leadership roles, and making a meaningful social impact in local and global communities. Furthermore, in 2022, the school was ranked #1 in Public Business School in the Northeast (MBA) by the Financial Times for their MBA program.

Additionally, the Rutgers Business School’s Executive Education program is designed to help executives, managers, and organizations gain a competitive edge and stay relevant in today's ever-changing business world. Their programs include topics such as executive leadership, marketing, business management, healthcare & life sciences, and supply chain management. Through the programs, participants can not only expand their breadth of knowledge but also reinvent their career paths.

Rutgers Business School is in the process of establishing new partnerships with companies like yours. Would your company like to be an affiliate? If you are interested in a conversation with the Rutgers team, reach out to us on our website’s homepage, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of Florida International University’s splice system for joining structural elements. The advantages of this technology include being flexible, adaptable, durable, corrosion-resistant, being able to be applied to both unforeseen and planned situations, being simple to implement, and performing better in marine environments. Additionally, this system is lightweight, environmentally friendly, and provides the required rapid strength to allow the driving of the pile to continue.

The technology is suitable for splicing precast-prestressed concrete piles for bridge and building foundations, as well as assembling columns and piers. In 2020, the global bridge construction market was worth $857.7 billion and is expected to reach $1,416.9 billion by 2030.

Florida International University’s splice system for joining structural elements is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Florida International University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of the University of Nevada’s new nanographene technology. The optical and electronic properties of this technology are tunable, the material is highly soluble, and the devices can be easily manufactured. The device’s size, shape, and functionalization can be controlled more effectively, and bulk quantities can be produced of soluble, narrow GNRs less than 10 nanometers wide due to a narrow band gap and flexible optics.

This technology is applicable to battery cathode/anode materials, organic photovoltaic (OPV), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic field-effect transistors (OFET), and molecular electronics. The global battery materials market was valued at $50.28 billion in 2021 and is forecast to reach $82.3 billion by 2030.

The University of Nevada’s nanographene technology is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the University of Nevada team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of the Idaho National Laboratory’s Awareness Estimator technology. This technology is a specialized device that has built-in software that can monitor the current state of a power system in real time and protect it from cyberattacks. In addition to producing a cyber-physical integrated analysis, this technology also provides independent system evaluations and responds quickly in the event of an attack.

This technology can be used in cybersecurity for identifying anomalous communication, and it has the ability to perform automated data analysis and provide information to operators for determining the root cause. As of 2020, the anomaly detection market size was $3.43 billion and is projected to reach $9.58 Billion by 2028.

Idaho National Laboratory’s Awareness Estimator technology is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Idaho National Laboratory team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

Did you know that researchers at Carnegie Mellon University created one of the first self-driving cars? A team of researchers led by Dr. William “Red” Whittaker developed the groundbreaking technology that is revolutionizing the way we travel.

Prior to the development of autonomous cars, vehicles were only able to be operated manually. This typical method of driving a car has resulted in countless accidents due to human error. At Carnegie Mellon University, a team of researchers set out to create the technology necessary for a vehicle to navigate autonomously. In 1986, they developed Navlab 1, a self-driving vehicle that used radar and lidar sensors, along with computer vision algorithms to process sensor data. After this, the team at Carnegie Mellon went on to create more driverless vehicles, including the Navlab 5, which successfully completed a 3,100-mile cross-country trip. This technology paved the way for current self-driving cars by providing the foundation of the research and development that is needed to create a fully autonomous vehicle.

Today, the autonomous vehicle market is a rapidly growing industry. In 2021, the market size of self-driving vehicles was worth $4.43 billion and is expected to reach $1808.44 billion by 2030. This growth is due to the many advantages driverless vehicles offer, such as fewer accidents, reduced travel time, and decreases in harmful emissions. Furthermore, the expected number of driverless cars is also expected to rise due to growing demand. In 2019, there were 31.4 million autonomous cars, and is expected to increase to 54.2 million in 2024.

Innovation at universities is capable of changing the world. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization's competitiveness as it allows you to identify new technologies that can help to give you a competitive edge in the market. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the next groundbreaking innovation, like self-driving cars.

Logistics in the automotive industry refers to the process of acquiring, storing, and transporting automotive resources. Due to the emergence of logistics services and technological advancement, this field is growing rapidly. In 2021, the global automotive logistics market was worth $160.69 billion and is expected to increase to $264.68 billion by 2030.

Logistics plays a vital role in the manufacturing, transit, and purchase of automobiles while improving efficiency and lowering costs. Currently, the top automotive logistics companies include Ryder System ($9.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Hellmann Worldwide Logistics ($2.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and BLG Logistics ($1.2 billion dollar revenue as of 2021).

Additionally, increasing venture capital investments in startups are promoting growth in this sector. In 2022, Carpool Logistics, an automotive logistics startup, received $2 million from Atlanta Ventures.

Furthermore, technology advances such as IoT, big data analytics, and automation are expected to have a positive impact on the market in the near future. For example, using automotive IoT, devices are connected to the cloud and provide real-time data, enabling better optimization of the manufacturing process and better transportation management. 

Currently, there are over 2,500 automotive logistics companies receiving increased revenue each year. Connecting with them and forming innovation partnerships is crucial for your campus. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the automotive logistics companies you need to further your research and development.

Did you know that two Cornell University engineers invented the three-point seatbelt? Roger Griswold and Hugh DeHaven developed the life-saving device that is used in vehicles today.

Before the invention of the three-point seat belt, most cars did not have any type of safety device to protect drivers and passengers. However, some cars did have lap belts, or two-point belts, that did not have much protection and were not used often. In 1955, Griswold and DeHaven, two Cornell University engineers, sought a solution to keep people safe in their vehicles. At Cornell’s Aviation Safety and Research Facility, they developed the three-point seat belt, patented as the CIR-Griswold restraint, that went over a person’s lap and shoulder. This invention was then further developed by a Volvo engineer named Nils Bohlin in 1959. It was then that seat belts were put in more and more cars, a major step toward preventing fatalities. Today, it is required by law in the U.S. and many other countries to wear a seat belt.

By preventing drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash, seatbelts have saved many lives since their implementation. It is estimated that seat belts saved 14,955 lives in 2017 alone. Currently, the automotive seat belt market continues to grow due to increasing vehicle production and demand for safety features. In 2020, the automotive airbags and seatbelts market size was worth $59.32 billion and is expected to grow to $142.24 billion by 2028.

Innovation at universities is capable of saving lives. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization’s competitiveness. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the next groundbreaking safety development, like the three-point seat belt.

Cloud computing is the use of the internet to deliver services such as data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software. The cloud computing market is rising as technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are developed along with the growing use of digital technology. In 2021, the global cloud computing market was worth $380.25 billion and is expected to grow to $1,614.10 billion by 2030.

Cloud technology companies are crucial because cloud computing is utilized in various fields, including business, data storage, entertainment, management, and education. Currently, the top cloud computing companies include Amazon Web Services ($62.2 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Microsoft Azure ($60 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and Google Cloud Platform ($19 billion dollar revenue as of 2021).

Additionally, increasing venture capital investments will enable these companies to expand further. Venture capital funding into the cloud sector reached $50.3 billion in 2021, which is up from $15.3 billion in 2020.

Furthermore, cloud computing spending is expected to increase due to its many advantages, including cost savings, flexibility, and advanced security. In 2022, worldwide spending on cloud services was $490.3 billion. That number is expected to reach $591.8 billion in 2023. 

Cloud computing companies are receiving more revenue and funding today than ever before. Reaching out and connecting with them in order to form innovation partnerships is crucial for your campus. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the cloud computing companies you need to further your research and development.

Baylor University has partnered with FirstIgnite to find industry collaboration for their Molecular Biosciences Center. The center offers researchers access to real-time PCR, flow cytometry, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, BSL-1 and BSL-2 cell culture facilities, as well as a range of other equipment and instrumentation for various techniques. The MBC has a number of instruments available for use, including the QuantStudio 6, FACSVerse Flow Cytometer, and the FACSMelody Cell Sorter.The MBC’s mission is to enhance, expand, and encourage molecular bioscience research. Due to the research and development of technologies in the field of molecular biology, the market size is expected to increase. In 2021, the biotechnology market was worth $793.87 billion and is expected to grow to $1,683.52 billion by 2030.The MBC gives Baylor University a competitive advantage. Would your company like to be an affiliate? If you are interested in a conversation with the Baylor University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here:

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of Florida International University’s new technology for aortic valve remodeling. With this technology, the FIU inventors are able to analyze heart sound recordings obtained for a digital stethoscope and compare them with stages of the aortic valve remodeling process. Furthermore, this tool detects microstructural and functional differences among the aortic valves of patients with bicuspid aortic valves or suffering from early CAVD.This technology detects and quantifies microstructural and functional differences in valve and cardiac disease. In 2021, the global cardiovascular devices market was worth $52.90 billion and is expected to increase to $92.51 billion by 2030.Florida International University’s new technology for aortic valve remodeling is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Florida International University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

Did you know that a University of Florida researcher invented Trusopt? Dr. Thomas H. Maren created the medication that changed the lives of those with glaucoma.The condition of glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss if left untreated. Before the invention of Trusopt, there were no eye drops for glaucoma, only medications that were taken orally. These medications had harmful side effects and could lead to more invasive treatments like surgery. While working as a graduate research professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Maren developed a more effective and convenient way to treat this condition using eye drops. This was the first topical treatment for glaucoma and was called Dorzolamide. This medication was licensed to the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. by the University of Florida in 1995 under the brand name Trusopt.

By reducing eye pressure and protecting the optic nerve, Trusopt preserved vision while preventing further damage. Currently, it is estimated that 3 million Americans have glaucoma, which makes medications like Trusopt especially important. In 2020, the glaucoma treatment market was worth $7.9 billion and is expected to reach $13.54 billion by 2028. Furthermore, as a result of Trusopt, the University of Florida received more than $250 million in royalties to be reinvested in new research.Innovation at universities is capable of changing the world for the better. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization’s competitiveness. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the breakthrough medication, like Trusopt.