$20M Frankel Innovation Initiative Set to Kick off Third Round of Funding | Michigan Medicine

Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI)(link is external), a unit of the University of Michigan Medical School Office of Research(link is external), is launching the third round of the Frankel Innovation Initiative(link is external), a $20 million gift from the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation to support research and development of life-saving therapies at Michigan Medicine […]

U-M Innovation Partnerships helps launch 23 new startups during 2021 fiscal year

Creating a new startup amid a global pandemic presents an entirely new set of challenges. While undertaking the standard responsibilities that come with filing for patents and creating startups, many faculty and researchers from the University of Michigan turned to U-M Innovation Partnerships, formerly known as the Office of Technology Transfer, for guidance. The University […]

Reorganized unit to lead commercialization of U-M research 

The University of Michigan has announced the launch of Innovation Partnerships, a reorganized unit that will serve as a central hub to lead research commercialization efforts, support startup company launch and growth, and create and foster corporate research alliances. The newly named Innovation Partnerships, based in the Office of the Vice President for Research, consolidates, […]

Student-run investment fund targets early-stage climate tech firms 

University of Michigan students and faculty have launched a student-run investment fund targeting early-stage climate tech companies that aim to make a real difference on climate change. The fund is the centerpiece of the Michigan Climate Venture, a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary program at the intersection of climate technology and venture capital at U-M. The program is […]

$6.5M state investment in Michigan Rise to fuel more startup funding

An additional $6.5 million state investment gives pre-seed fund Michigan Rise more capital to back a strong pipeline of startup companies. Created a year ago and administered by the Michigan State University Foundation, Michigan Rise has at least 10 startups awaiting investments. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. expects Michigan Rise to invest $2.5 million in 15 startups in […]

U Michigan Zell Founders Fund Announces $100,000 Investment in Just Enough Wines

The Zell Founders Fund, in collaboration with the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business, announced today that it has contributed $100,000 to a recent funding round for Just Enough Wines, a premium quality canned wine company founded by University of Michigan alumna Kaitlyn Lo (MBA ’21) with her […]

Michigan MEDC Strategic Fund Approves $6.5M for High-tech Startups 

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) in Lansing announced the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has approved a grant amendment for $6.5 million for the Michigan State University Foundation to support high-tech startup companies and innovative technologies in Michigan at the university level through the Pre-Seed III fund. The Pre-Seed Fund was created to provide early-stage […]

MSU Conquer Accelerator’s newest group focuses on financial technology businesses

Six businesses focused on financial technology are part of Conquer Accelerator’s sixth cohort that runs through Aug. 6. The businesses will receive $20,000 and mentorship over the course of 10 weeks. The selected companies are CrossBraining, Frizzmo, Nickels, Rebound AI, Safety Sit and Tandem. “The goal is to help a company go from product solution fit to product market fit,” said Tom Stewart, Conquer Accelerator […]

Conquer Accelerator Selects Six Startups for 2021 Cohort

EAST LANSING, Mich., June 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Conquer Accelerator announces its sixth season and summer 2021 cohort. The 10-week accelerator welcomes six selected teams to its East Lansing program: CrossBraining, Frizzmo, Nickels, Rebound AI, SafetySit, and Tandem. “We’re proud of what we’ve built over the last five years at Conquer Accelerator and we’re only getting better,” said Thomas Stewart, Conquer Accelerator Program Manager, […]

University of Michigan’s Desai Accelerator Invests in Four Startups to Launch 2021 Cohort

The Desai Accelerator, a University of Michigan accelerator open to early-stage alumni startups, announced the four companies accepted into its 2021 cohort. As part of the accelerator program, the ventures will be provided with funding, tailored mentorship opportunities, national visibility and other resources to achieve successful sustainability. The Desai Accelerator, managed by the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie […]