As our nation’s university research ecosystem navigates significant challenges, the mission of Innovation Partnerships remains as relevant as ever—demonstrating how university innovations can drive economic growth and address the world’s most pressing challenges. Sharing these stories of real-world impact is essential, and with that in mind, I’m pleased to bring you our March Impact Newsletter, highlighting remarkable contributions from across our innovation ecosystem.

I’m especially excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year award. This prestigious honor recognizes faculty who have made lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research and successfully translating them into practice. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the transformative impact of research at U-M, and I encourage you to submit nominations.

Read on to explore these exciting updates and more. Thank you for your ongoing collaboration and support of U-M’s community of innovators—your engagement makes all the difference.

2025 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award Nominations are 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. There is an honorarium of $5,000 that is awarded to the individual recipient or shared by the team recipients.

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National Advisory Board Chair Chris Rizik Named to National Venture Capital Association 2025 Venture Vanguard Class

The Venture Vanguard Award, presented by the NVCA Board of Directors, recognizes exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to transforming the venture capital landscape and turbocharging America’s growth and success. Chris Rizik is the founder and managing partner of Renaissance Venture Capital and is the National Advisory Board Chair for Innovation Partnerships.

Innovation Partnerships Announces Strategic Collaboration with Autobahn Labs

Autobahn Labs, founded in 2019, partners with leading research institutions to accelerate the advancement of novel science into transformational therapies. This collaboration enables the identification and advancement of cutting-edge scientific findings into new therapies with a focus on unmet medical needs. As part of the agreement with U-M, Autobahn will invest up to $5 million per selected project to support the development of new pharmaceuticals.

NVCA Announces HistoSonics as 2025 Startup Innovator. LEARN MORE

Endovascular Engineering secures $42M for clot removal technology platform. LEARN MORE

FDA approves gastrointestinal device developed at U-M, licensed to NeurAxis. LEARN MORE

MOU Signed between State of Michigan, U-M and United Arab Emirates

Gov. Whitmer joined His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and leaders from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the University of Michigan to sign a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to advance global innovation, entrepreneurship, economic growth and job creation. Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research – innovation partnerships and economic impact, represented U-M at this momentous event. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub Kickstart Funding RFP The MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub Kickstart awards are part of the University of Michigan MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub, a statewide program that supports translational research projects in life sciences with high commercial potential. Made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub, the U-M Medical School Office of Research and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), Kickstart Awards offer early-stage funding to biomedical researchers across the state of Michigan. This award is aimed to enhance the commercial potential of a technology owned by any Michigan-based nonprofit to the point of demonstration of utility and possible inclusion in the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub or other research funding programs. The Kickstart Awards offer funding up to $42,500, with all awarded projects requiring a cost share from the investigator/institution.

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ONO Pharmaceuticals RFP – Funding Opportunity for Rare Genetic Disorder Researchers In alliance with Innovation Partnerships and Michigan Medicine’s rare disease interest group (MIRARE), ONO Pharmaceuticals is expanding its research and development efforts to identify potential research collaborations with U-M faculty focusing on rare genetic disorders. This opportunity is designed for research in early-stage discovery with an identified target, novel genetic therapeutic approaches and new technologies or platforms that can be applied to multiple targets. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

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