The following is a message written by Kelly Sexton:
Dear Colleagues,
I’m pleased to share our February Impact Newsletter, bringing you stories that highlight the unmistakable momentum across the University of Michigan’s innovation ecosystem and sharing opportunities for you to engage with our work.
As you’ll read in this edition, our faculty innovators are earning national and international recognition for their groundbreaking translational research and impact. And our ecosystem continues to attract new partnerships that accelerate translation and commercialization.
This month, we open nominations for the 2026 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed by the university on faculty who have transformed research discoveries into real-world impact. Our prior honorees have translated their discoveries into industry partnerships and high-growth startups that have transformed industries, driven economic growth and, in many cases, advanced and improved patient care. Recognizing and celebrating the university’s extraordinary innovators is one of the highlights of our year at Innovation Partnerships, and I can’t wait to share the 2026 awardee with you all in a future newsletter.
Thank you for your continued partnership with our team – your collaboration makes all the difference.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sexton
Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact
2026 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Nominations Now Open
The Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award honors faculty who have made important and lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research and translating them to practice. The award was established in 2007 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is supported by endowments from the U-M Office of Research and the Stephen and Rosamund Forrest Family Foundation. Recipient(s) will receive an honorarium of $5,000.
Submit your nominations by Friday, May 1, 2026.
→ Learn More 🔗
SonoVascular Completes First Close of Series A Preferred Stock Financing
SonoVascular, a U-M startup developing ultrasound-based solutions for vascular care, recently announced the first close of its $6 million Series A preferred stock financing. The Series A round will fund two important milestones in 2026: secure FDA approval for a U.S. based Peripheral Venous pivotal study; and conduct a FIH study for Pulmonary Embolism treatment.
→ Learn More 🔗
🏆 HistoSonics Co-Founder, U-M Professor Zhen Xu Named One of TIME’s Most Influential Health Leaders for 2026
→ Learn More 🔗
🏆 U-M Professors Xiwen Gong, Zhen Xu Named 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award Recipients
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📰 Auxilium Biotechnologies and Starlab Space Partner to Advance Life Sciences Research in Microgravity
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💸 Ecovia Bio Expands Biopolymer Production with New Funding
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Innovation Partnerships at SXSW 2026
Innovation Partnerships and Ann Arbor SPARK will present at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 18 to lead two sessions and a networking reception exploring why fast-growing companies and global innovators are increasingly choosing mid-sized tech hubs like Ann Arbor to build, scale and invest. The panels will be moderated by Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, and Mike Psarouthakis, executive director of impact investments and strategic alliances at Innovation Partnerships.
Lab, Office Space Available for Rent in the Innovation Partnerships Startup Incubator
The Innovation Partnerships Startup Incubator provides resources to qualified U-M startups. The Incubator offers flexible leases for world-class lab and office space in the U-M North Campus Research Complex. Incubator tenants are provided with concierge service and benefit from close proximity to the services provided by the Innovation Partnerships ventures team.
Innovation Partnerships has a rare full lab vacancy in the Startup Incubator, along with some offices.
If you are interested in Incubator space, please reach out to
innovationpartnerships@umich.edu
Hammoud Lab: Stem Cell Innovations for Male Infertility
Dr. Saher Hammoud’s lab develops groundbreaking stem cell-based technologies to treat male infertility, restore testicular function and enable ethical, scalable drug screening. Fueled by entrepreneurial spirit and clinical dedication, their research is redefining regenerative therapies for reproductive health.
→ Learn more about these advances and partnership opportunities
Samsung Research America Opens START Program Applications
Samsung Research America is opening their START Program for 2026. The program aims to identify emerging technologies and conduct frontier research with Samsung’s R&D teams on early-stage innovations for the Device Experience (DX) division, including mobile, digital health and related domains, to shape the future of Samsung products and experiences.
Selected projects will receive funding of up to $150,000 for a 1-year period, renewable based on progress and strategic fit.
Applications close March 24, 2026.
→ Learn More 🔗
