Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Warf News & Media

Top researchers from UW–Madison pitch technologies to industry experts at milestone All-Hands event

CONTACT:
Jeanan Yasiri Moe, Director of Strategic Communications
[email protected] | 608.960.9892


MADISON, Wis. – From augmented reality to combustion reimagined, innovation reigned at WARF’s All-Hands Meeting held May 16 at the Discovery Building.

The annual gathering is the signature event of the WARF Accelerator Program. It is an opportunity for participating researchers to network and learn from industry advisors known as ‘Catalysts.’ These include executives of Fortune 500 companies, R&D directors, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists.

Researchers hailed from multiple UW–Madison departments as well as two UW System campuses (Oshkosh and Green Bay) through collaboration with WiSys. Projects ranged from a powerful new system for studying proteins in three dimensions, to natural food colorants, to the health of North America’s most popular dog breed.

Launched in 2009, the Accelerator Program (AP) identifies technologies with exceptional potential for commercial success. Through mentorship and funding, AP has helped more than 90 inventors move their technologies closer to the marketplace and advanced 13 startup companies and 30 commercial agreements. The program recently awarded its 100th project – a milestone.

Greg Keenan, manager of the Accelerator Program since last August, said, “Looking ahead I hope to build on AP’s tremendous foundation and take it to the next level by making it an effective part of a larger ecosystem, which includes our new venture activities.

“I envision a one-stop shop for moving a technology out of the lab, getting it prototyped, marketing it to industry, and licensing it or forming a startup around it and getting it funded. I fundamentally buy into the vision that Madison can be a leading hub of entrepreneurial activity in the country. We have great technology, a fantastic university, strong local support and tremendous alumni. We have all the right pieces to make Wisconsin a leader.”

Researchers presenting at a conference
Pam Jahnke, Tom Still, Chris Salm and Kathryn VandenBosch

Wednesday’s event was capped by a panel discussion, “Sowing Solutions Through UW & Industry Partnerships,” moderated by Pam Jahnke, farm director of the WI Farm Report Radio Network. The panel featured:

  • Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council
  • Chris Salm, CEO/co-founder of Ab E Discovery and a WARF Accelerator Program Catalyst
  • Kathryn VandenBosch, dean of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

The discussion elaborated on a recent article co-authored by Salm and VandenBosch exploring agricultural innovation and the Wisconsin Idea.

The annual All-Hands Meeting is led by WARF licensing and IP staff, while other staff assist or attend throughout the day.

About WARF
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) helps steward the cycle of research, discovery, commercialization and investment for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1925 as an independent, nonprofit foundation, WARF manages more than 1,900 patents and an investment portfolio of $2.7 billion as it funds university research, obtains patents for campus discoveries and licenses inventions to industry. For more information, visit warf.org and view WARF’s Cycle of Innovation.

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WARF