2019 was a wonderful year for innovation, technology commercialization and impact at the University of Michigan. Not only did we see a record-breaking 502 new inventions from our campus research community, but, with the help of our partners, U-M Tech Transfer was able to launch a record 22 startup companies and enter into 232 commercialization agreements with industry - creating jobs, helping to diversify Michigan’s economy, and laying the groundwork for a new generation of U-M technologies to make a positive difference in the world.

2019 also marked a new highlight for U-M Tech Transfer - the approval to launch Accelerate Blue, an early-stage venture fund for U-M startups working to commercialize U-M innovations and technologies. You can learn more about Accelerate Blue in the featured story below.

The list of positive things to happen this year for the inventors, startups, and licensees in the University of Michigan family is much too long to share in this message. We invite you to review our Twitter feed to learn about the new companies that have rung our startup bell, the new products that have come to market, and all of the significant funding events, partnerships, and successful exits that we’ve celebrated as an organization. We also invite you to review the highlighted stories below.

At U-M Tech Transfer, we are inspired to redefine how world-class university research can fuel a region and solve the world’s greatest challenges. We thank you for everything that you’ve done this past year to support our mission, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in 2020.

Sincerely,

Kelly B. Sexton, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research - Technology Transfer and Innovation Partnerships
University of Michigan