Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Advancing Midwest Innovation.

Third Coast Foundry is a new physical space in San Francisco for partner university-founded startups and teams traveling to the Bay Area.

Designed to improve access to venture capital and networks on the West Coast without requiring startups to relocate, it provides opportunities for investors, alumni and other partners to engage through meetings events, and programming.

Third Coast Foundry expands access and options for Midwestern startups.

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News and Events

In Collaboration With

About

Third Coast Foundry is being driven by the entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization centers across the partner institutions, including the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship and the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University; Northwestern Innovation + New Ventures (INVO); Center for Software Innovation at The Ohio State University; Purdue Innovates; UChicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; U of I’s Technology Entrepreneur Center and Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship; Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF); along with WashU.

Together, these centers bring deep experience in startup formation, technology commercialization and venture engagement to support founders and strengthen cross-institutional collaboration through Third Coast Foundry.

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How to Use Third Coast Foundry

 

What’s Available

The space is intentionally simple, flexible and self-service—optimized for execution.

  • Open coworking space
  • Private office
  • Reservable conference room
  • Event space (capacity: up to 45)
  • Wi-Fi and basic AV
Expectations

All space must be reserved in advance. Use should align with innovation, entrepreneurship or commercialization objectives. Users are responsible for coordinating their own meetings, guests and logistics.

Priority is given to:

  • Startup and investor engagement
  • Translational research activity
  • Strategic partner meetings
  • High-value, curated gatherings
Programming and Engagement

Third Coast Foundry is more than a workspace—it’s a platform for connection and momentum.

Typical uses include:

  • Investor office hours and pitch sessions
  • Themed roundtables (e.g., AI, biotech, climate)
  • Founder and operator dinners
  • Alumni-hosted gatherings
  • Multi-university convenings across the partner network

UW-Madison teams are encouraged to bring purpose-built programming into the space that strengthens connections and accelerates outcomes.

Guidelines

To ensure the space remains high-value for all partners:

  • Use the space for mission-aligned activities only
  • Be respectful of shared access across institutions
  • Leave the space clean and ready for the next group
  • Plan ahead—this is a self-service environment
  • Adhere to capacity limits and building policies

Founding Universites

WARF