The following is a message written by Kelly Sexton:
Dear Colleagues,
I’m pleased to share our first Impact Newsletter of the year, highlighting stories from across the University of Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. In the final days of 2025, several U-M startups reached major milestones, including Neurable’s $35 million Series A, an oversubscribed $125 million funding round for Mythic to scale its energy-efficient GPU technology and a $12 million raise by Diamond Kinetics to expand its novel sensing technology for youth baseball and softball. I invite you to read on for more information on these and other stories from the university’s innovation ecosystem.
With an incredibly strong pipeline of innovations moving from lab to market, there will be much more to share in the year ahead. Thank you for your partnership in amplifying the impact of Michigan’s research.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact
💸 Mythic to Challenge AI’s GPU Pantheon with 100x Energy Advantage and Oversubscribed $125M Raise
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💸 Neurable Raises $35 Million Series A to Accelerate Deployment of Everyday Brain-Computer Interface Technology
→ Learn More 🔗
🏆 NewHaptics Receives a CTA Foundation Eureka Park Accessibility Award
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📰 Neurable and Hyperx Unveiled a Gaming Headset at CES 2026 That Can Be Controlled By Your Brain
→ Learn More 🔗
💸 Diamond Kinetics Raises $12M Round to Scale Youth Offering
→ Learn More 🔗
CSL Research Acceleration Initiative RFP Now Open
CSL is a leading global biotech company delivering innovative therapies to help people with life-threatening conditions live full lives. The CSL Research Acceleration Initiative supports early-stage biotechs and research organizations fast-track the discovery of groundbreaking biotherapies. Successful applicants can receive up to $400,000 USD in non-dilutive funding over 2 years to advance their innovative programs.
Applications close February 24, 2026. Please reach out to Alexandra Srnka (asrnka@umich.edu) to submit your application.
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MTRAC Advanced Transportation 2026 Funding Round RFP Now Open
The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Advanced Transportation Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects that have high commercial potential, with the ultimate goal of launching new technologies into the mobility and transportation sectors. Innovators from all public institutions of higher education, hospital systems and non-profit research centers in the state of Michigan are eligible to submit proposals for grant funding consideration.
Kickstart and Mid-Stage awards are available, with funding available up to $50,000 and $200,000, respectively.
Applications close February 27, 2026.
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MTRAC Life Sciences Funding Award RFPs Now Open
The MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub is a statewide program supporting translational research projects in life sciences with high commercial potential. The program offers early-stage funding opportunities through Kickstart and MTRAC, the funding program for mid-stage commercialization projects. The program has awarded millions of dollars in funding over the past four years.
Applications close February 20, 2026 for Kickstart and March 5, 2026 for MTRAC funding.
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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 vacancy in the Startup Incubator.
If you are interested in Incubator space, please reach out to innovationpartnerships@umich.edu
University of Michigan I-Corps Program
📅 February 6 – March 20, 2026
⏰ Fridays, 9am ET
📍 Virtual
The Center for Entrepreneurship is excited to be offering National Science Foundation I-Corps Workshops. Explore how to translate your research, learn leadership and innovation skills and gain a digital certificate upon completion. Also included is $500 in funding for customer discovery and opportunities for future grants.
→ Learn More 🔗
Kamcev Research Lab: Ion-Exchange Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future
Dr. Jovan Kamcev’s research lab is developing next generation ion-exchange membranes for water purification, extraction of valuable mineral resources and energy generation/storage. Guided by industry partnerships and a focus on sustainability, the lab is developing practical solutions for tomorrow’s environmental and energy challenges.
→ Learn more 🔗
