Putting Commercialization in the Fast Lane
West Michigan has an abundance of riches when it comes to unclaimed intellectual property. Identifying, accessing, and commercializing that IP, and knowing who can best support those efforts is another matter. Innovation West Michigan makes that process simple by providing one-stop access to the IP and commercialization partners best suited to your needs.
Regional Partners
The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center's West Michigan Office (MMTC-West) supports the global competitiveness of manufacturers throughout the region’s 17 counties. As part of a nationwide network of manufacturing extension centers supported by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), MMTC-West provides access to state and federal research, technology, and training resources.
Michigan SmartZones – Michigan’s 15 SmartZones, each unique to their region's needs, include technology business accelerators and incubators that provide the critical entrepreneurial and commercialization support services essential to growing start-up ventures.
NextEnergy works with early-stage companies and technology developers to assist them in moving their ideas off the workbench and into the marketplace. It partners with utilities and manufacturers to prove out prototypes and document the viability of new technologies.
The Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an internationally recognized biomedical research organization focused on cancer and Parkinson disease with an emphasis on translating scientific research results into clinical applications. VAI uses technology transfer to license research results with commercial potential to organizations that can transform these results into new products, processes, applications, or services.
University Partners
Michigan State University – Michigan Technologies is the licensing business unit of MSU, connecting business and starts ups of all sizes to the latest technologies developed by MSU’s world-class researchers. One of the top 100 research universities in the world, MSU has a rich portfolio of intellectual property.
Michigan Technological University – Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement (IIE) Holding 97 active patents, Michigan Tech uses the IEE to commercialize its intellectual property and grow partnerships in innovation and research. Its services include access to Michigan Tech resources and guiding the commercialization process for its business clients.
Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC) is an alliance among Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to transform, strengthen and diversify the state’s economy. The partnership facilitates collaboration and is designed to speed technology transfer and development.
The University of Michigan Tech Transfer Office provides several services to support the commercialization of its intellectual property, including facilitating the release of intellectual property, patent protection, start-up assistance and licensing and legal support
Wayne State University –Technology Commercialization is organized into two departments: Technology Transfer and Venture Development to focus on three areas: technology transfer, new venture creation and facilitating interactions between industry and WSU faculty.
Western Michigan University (WMU) Office of the Vice President of Research manages and facilitates commercialization of WMU’s intellectual property for research and commercial clients. Its services include identifying research discoveries that may have commercial value, securing IP rights for such discoveries, IP commercialization strategies.
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