UW Discovery to Product

11/19/2025

Six technologies are finalists for the 2025 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Innovation Awards. These early-stage breakthroughs, chosen from hundreds of entries, help advance areas like sustainable agriculture, quantum engineering, AI, and cancer immunotherapy. They show how UW research tackles real-world problems. The winners will be announced in mid-December.

This year’s finalists are: soybeans with natural pigments and brain-health benefits, a GPU scheduling system that improves AI performance, a silicon structure that helps quantum devices, an ecofriendly herbicide made from plant peptides, a targeted therapy for retinal diseases, and recyclable protein degraders that may improve cancer immunotherapy.

As WARF marks its 100th year, these innovations show the creativity, impact, and global reach of UW–Madison inventors.

Learn more here: https://ow.ly/TWxW50Xu9m1

11/14/2025

Learn from startup CEOs and business leaders at the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship-UW Madison Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch series. November 19th at 12:15 pm., hear from Jazmynn Appleton, Chief Director of Entrepreneurial Growth and Innovation at the Progress Center for Black Women.

Learn more and RVSP: https://ow.ly/U75G50Xrh0s

11/10/2025

The Draper Technology Innovation Fund (TIF) provides up to $50,000 to University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty and academic staff to help enhance the scope and patentability of inventions and their potential licensing to the commercial sector. This fund supports additional research to bring new concepts and inventions to the patent and licensing stage. Research activities include prototype development, preparation of samples for evaluation, and application testing.

Applicants must be University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty members or academic staff, and a formal university invention disclosure must have been accepted by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

Deadline to apply is Friday, November 14: https://lnkd.in/gf4XCmeA

11/06/2025

The Fall Startup Career Fair is coming up on Monday, Nov. 10 from 5–7 p.m. — hosted in partnership with StartingBlock Madison and the Midwest Founders Community!

This reverse-pitch event brings together founders, students, and early-career professionals eager to explore opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Founders looking to hire will kick things off with quick 2-minute pitches, followed by a career-fair-style networking session where attendees can connect with the teams that best match their skills and interests.

— StartingBlock Madison
—821 E Washington Ave, 2nd Floor, Madison
— A-Line Metro Transit stops nearby (free with student pass!)
—Get your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-startup-career-fair-tickets-1663577116939

Founders, students, early-career professionals are invited to come together for a reverse-pitch style career fair.

11/05/2025

The 100-Hour Challenge is back!

One of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's signature campus-wide entrepreneurial contests, the 100-Hour Challenge is a fast, fun introduction to creative problem-solving—open to all enrolled students.

How it works: students use everyday materials from their dorm, apartment, or home to create a brand-new product concept… all in just 100 hours. Then they submit a short video pitch or slide deck for a chance to win prize money!

Event starts: Thursday, Nov. 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Submission deadline: Monday, Nov. 17

If you’re entrepreneurially curious and ready to explore, experiment, and bring bold ideas to life, this challenge is for you. Let the creativity begin!

StartUp Learning Community
Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship-UW Madison

11/04/2025

This workshop is coming up for University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, faculty, students, and staff who want to explore entrepreneurship:

Nov. 12: Nailing Your Value Proposition

The session offers a hands-on way to build foundational skills. Using your own idea, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling value proposition that clearly shows why customers should care.

Register: https://ow.ly/2hAN50X9Zmy

Held in person at Discovery to Product (D2P), 1403 University Ave., 4 - 5:30 p.m.

10/26/2025

Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch: Shayna Hetzel, VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Come meet Shayna at the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship-UW Madison on Wednesday, October 29 at 12:15 p.m. in Room 4151, Grainger Hall.

With her expertise in venture capital and public-private partnerships, she is driving innovation across Wisconsin's startup landscape and empowering underserved communities.

RSVP: https://business.wisc.edu/centers/weinert/events/

Upcoming events and annual events. Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch Program, Morgridge Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, Arts Business Competition.

10/22/2025

Applications are open for the Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) Program!

Emerging Wisconsin biohealth companies can now apply for the new Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) program, co-led by Forward BIOLABS and BioForward, Inc.

ICP helps startups bridge the gap from discovery to market by providing targeted funding and support to overcome commercialization and capital-access barriers.

Eligible companies may receive $25,000–$75,000 to advance key milestones in product development, business growth, and regulatory strategy.

Apply by Nov. 15: https://www.forwardbiolabs.org/icp-program

The Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) program, co-led by Forward BIOLABS and BioForward, is designed to support emerging Wisconsin biohealth companies in navigating the complex journey from discovery to market.

10/21/2025

Two workshop sessions are coming up for University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, faculty, students, and staff who want to explore entrepreneurship:

Oct. 22: Unlocking Insights: The Art of Customer Discovery
Nov. 12: Nailing Your Value Proposition

Designed as a practical on-ramp for innovators at any stage, the sessions offer a hands-on way to build foundational skills and identify projects that may benefit from deeper D2P support.

Using your own idea, you’ll learn how to uncover customer insights and craft a compelling value proposition. Each session will help build your skills and confidence in moving ideas from concept to impact.

Register: https://ow.ly/2hAN50X9Zmy

Held in person at Discovery to Product (D2P), 1403 University Ave., 4 - 5:30 p.m.

10/20/2025

Are you interested in entrepreneurship and looking to translate your research into market-ready solutions? During this session, the Technology Entrepreneurship Office will highlight opportunities available within the NSF I-Corps™ programs at local, regional, and national levels. Learn how these programs support researchers in turning innovative discoveries into impactful products and services. This is your chance to explore the program and discover how it can align with your goals.

👉 Learn more and RSVP here:
November 6th at noon, learn more and RSVP for this virtual event: https://ow.ly/I1NU50XcFSQ

10/17/2025

🌟 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Semi-finals Competition! 🌟

Can you explain your research in just 3 minutes? This is a fantastic opportunity for grad students to hone their communication skills and effectively convey the significance of their research beyond the university. By participating, you’ll not only refine your ability to present complex ideas succinctly but also expand the impact of your work in the broader community. Let’s showcase the innovative research happening at UW–Madison! Sponsored by UW-Madison Graduate School.

🗓️ Register to compete by October 22nd
3MT Semi-finals are on November 5th from 4-6 p.m.
👉 Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/7YEg50XcFmC