Universities should provide scientists with mentorship, business-support services and private-sector connections to help them exploit the commercial potential of their research discoveries, says a study published on 24 October (K. D. Harrison et al. Sci. Transl. Med. 4, 157fs37; 2012). The study cites the 'Garage Network' at the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) as an example of success. The QB3 network is a business incubator that supports entrepreneurs at the University of California's San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Cruz campuses. By providing inexpensive space on campus and easing access to financing, it has helped to launch some 60 businesses, mainly in therapeutics and medical devices, and has generated around 280 jobs since 2006. “Universities have an obligation to ensure that their basic research leads to treatments for diseases and supports a growing economy,” says study co-author and QB3 associate director Douglas Crawford. He says that universities should offer space for working on business plans and investor pitches, and should help with company launches and small-business grants.