Researchers and faculty at the University of Michigan (U-M) have reported extraordinary achievements in innovation and commercialization during the past fiscal year, marking a significant milestone for the institution.
In fiscal year 2025, U-M researchers and faculty members generated 673 invention reports, surpassing the previous record of 615. This increase reflects not only the team’s dedication to advancing knowledge but also their ability to translate research into practical applications. In tandem with this rise in inventions, the university signed 326 license and option agreements—an increase of more than 50 agreements compared to the previous year. These agreements are crucial as they facilitate the transfer of innovative ideas from the lab to the marketplace, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
One fascinating development is the launch of 31 new startup companies, all aimed at commercializing the research discoveries emerging from the University of Michigan. This marks a significant achievement, as it is only the second time in U-M’s history that more than 30 startups have been launched in a single year.
These companies are developing a diverse range of solutions that address critical issues in fields such as diabetes management, digital security, athletic performance, and early childhood education. The variety of sectors represented by these startups showcases not only the breadth of innovation at the University of Michigan (U-M) but also the university’s impact on diverse societal challenges.
The university’s Innovation Partnerships, which serves as the center for research commercialization, recently shared these remarkable statistics for the fiscal year that concluded on June 30. The insights gleaned from these numbers reveal the extensive nature of U-M’s innovation ecosystem, which will be highlighted at the upcoming Celebrate Invention event on September 24. This event will serve as a platform to celebrate the achievements of researchers and entrepreneurs while encouraging further collaboration and support.
In addition to the growth in inventions and startup companies, U-M faculty showed significant engagement with industry. The newly expanded Corporate and Foundation Research Alliances team within Innovation Partnerships provided essential support for building relationships and negotiating terms for 135 new corporate-sponsored research agreements on campus. These agreements totaled $32.9 million, contributing to an overall $170.6 million in new corporate research awards reported across the university’s research enterprise. This strong collaboration with industry partners not only enriches U-M’s research capabilities but also opens new avenues for innovation and funding.
In May, Innovation Partnerships announced the expansion of the Corporate Research Alliances team, renaming it the Corporate and Foundation Research Alliances team. This change reflects U-M’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its competitiveness in securing external research funding, which is vital for sustaining groundbreaking work across various disciplines.
The entrepreneurial spirit at the University of Michigan (U-M) is also exemplified by the success of its startups, which raised over $663 million in capital through fundraising and liquidity events in fiscal year 2025. This remarkable achievement underscores the market potential of U-M research innovations. Among these successes were three initial public offerings (IPOs), with Ascentage Biopharma leading the way by raising more than $126 million in its IPO on NASDAQ in January. Such financial backing not only propels these innovative companies forward but also demonstrates the trust and confidence investors have in the capabilities and impact of the University of Michigan’s research.
Innovation Partnerships played a major role in supporting U-M innovators through the Accelerate Blue Fund, an evergreen venture fund managed by the team. The fund’s outreach expanded significantly during the last fiscal year, with investments made in nine new companies, bringing its portfolio to a total of 30 U-M startups. Due to support from donors and the university, the Accelerate Blue Fund now oversees $16.1 million in assets, positioning it as a vital resource for fostering new ventures and accelerating their growth.
KEY QUOTES:
“University of Michigan researchers and faculty are some of the best in the country and are continually developing innovative ways to solve some of today’s greatest problems.”
“The team at Innovation Partnerships is dedicated to helping our researchers leverage their discoveries into products and services that help people outside our campus walls. I’ve seen how the team operates firsthand, constantly evolving to meet the needs of university researchers and working to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Arthur Lupia, U-M vice president for research and innovation
“Each invention report we receive and every startup we launch represents a critical step in transforming publicly funded research into real-world impact that improves and even saves lives.”
“The record-breaking results from FY 2025 are a testament to the exceptional talent of our U-M research community and to the industry partners, investors and entrepreneurs who collaborate with us to turn these innovations into products, services and companies that are shaping a better future for Michigan and beyond.”
Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research-innovation partnerships and economic impact
