State of Michigan Establishes New Tech Transfer Network Led by University of Michigan

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the Tech Transfer Talent Network — a new $2.6 million initiative to increase the supply of seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators who can lend their expertise to member universities' tech transfer offices. The University of Michigan's (U-M) tech transfer office will lead the seven-university network and share its tech transfer resources with member institutions. In addition to U-M, the members are: Wayne State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University and Oakland University. The Tech Transfer Talent Network's primary purpose is to increase the supply of seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators who can lend their expertise to university tech transfer offices. The state hopes these connections will serve as important bridges to launch technology-based startups or license university inventions to established companies. U-M will help other universities implement some of its "talent-related initiatives" including: The Catalyst database — to identify and track experienced entrepreneurs who are willing to serve as experts, mentors, consultants or co-founders; The Mentors-in-Residence program — to attract experienced entrepreneurs to serve 12- to 18-month rotations in the university's tech transfer office, helping to assess new opportunities and mentor new startup ventures; The Tech Transfer Fellows program — to employ graduate students or other qualified personnel to help assess technology and analyze markets for tech transfer opportunities; and, A postdoctoral fellowship program — to encourage graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to work with a newly licensed business or a new startup venture. Each university also will collaborate with its regional economic development organization to promote increased access to mentors and partnering businesses.