Who Is Funding the Science That's Too Early for Venture Capital?
April 22, 2026
University of Akron
#167 in Universities
167Institution Overview
Overall
Ranking
167
239
Rank in
Research Capabilities
184
Rank in
Entrepreneurial Readiness
74
Rank in
Market Translation
Akron, OH
The University of Akron ranks 167th among universities in the Cure Innovation Index, based in Akron, Ohio. The university's strongest standing is in market translation, where it places in the upper third among its peers, a profile that contrasts with limited research capabilities and below-average entrepreneurial readiness. The university operates an incubator and accelerator program, reflecting an orientation toward commercial activity. Within the Cure Innovation Index, that translation emphasis distinguishes Akron from many of the regional universities it is ranked alongside.
Ranking Metrics
Research Capabilities
University of Akron ranked below average for Research Capabilities, a measure of the foundational infrastructure and resources that enable an institution to conduct high-quality, innovative science. Out of the factors in this category, University of Akron fared best in Funding Support.
Learn MoreEntrepreneurial Readiness
University of Akron ranked below average for Entrepreneurial Readiness, a measure of whether the institution has built a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and whether faculty are engaged in and incentivized toward commercial activity. Out of the factors in this category, University of Akron fared best in Faculty Engagement.
Learn MoreMarket Translation
University of Akron ranked below average for Market Translation, a measure of how effectively a research institution moves scientific discovery out of the lab and into real-world clinical and commercial applications. Out of the factors in this category, University of Akron fared best in TTO Efficiency.
Learn More
Cure Innovation Index Methodology
From a pool of more than 6,000 institutions, the top 303 were ranked using two dozen indicators — from scientific foundation and lab infrastructure to patents, products, and partnerships — drawn from more than a dozen federal and commercial databases, an original audit of all institutions, and surveys of more than 3,300+ scientists, industry leaders, and biomedical experts.
Insights From the Cure Innovation Index
Explore by Category
Innovation isn't a single moment — it's an entire ecosystem. The Index evaluates institutions across two dozen indicators, grouped in three core domains that reveal the full picture of what it takes to turn groundbreaking science into real-world impact.
