More than 500 UW faculty, students, staff, alumni and community members turned out for the 2024 UW Innovate Week. Talks, panels and workshops offered inspiring stories and practical tools to maximize impact for research, turn ideas into products or services, or start a company or organization. Entrepreneurship and innovation events addressed healthcare, technology commercialization, AI, mobile games, fusion energy, media and entertainment, a hand-on makeathon, building an idea network, and fundraising for early-stage startups.
The annual Innovate Week is coordinated by Discovery to Product (D2P) and the UW Innovate Network and partners—all offering training, funding and mentoring to advance campus entrepreneurship, innovation and research commercialization. The next Innovate Week will be Thurs. Sep. 25 – Wed. Oct. 1., 2025.
Subscribe to the UW Innovate Insider newsletter to stay current on the annual Innovate Week and other events.
8:30 a.m.: Healthcare Innovation Office Hours with the Isthmus Project
12 noon: Moving your Tech out of Academia: Resources, Funding, Lessons Learned
1:45 p.m.: D2P SEED Grant Recipients Announcement
8:30 a.m.: NIH SBIR/STTR: Proposal Preparation Intensive
5:30 p.m.: Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase
Healthcare Innovation Office Hours with the Isthmus Project
Monday, September 23, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 26, 10 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Friday, September 27, 9 – 11:30 a.m.
(virtual, free, schedule via email)
Isthmus Project, UW Health’s Innovation Hub, serves UW Health and UW School of Medicine and Public Health innovators to bring healthcare solutions to market. Isthmus Project supports innovators and their health care solutions from concept to commercialization. Come join us during our Virtual Office Hours to learn more!
Email Dania Champion to schedule a virtual meeting and obtain more information about Isthmus Project services.
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Moving your Tech out of Academia: Resources, Funding, Lessons Learned
Monday, September 23, 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. (in-person, free, lunch provided, pre-registration requested)
Location: Discovery to Product (D2P), 1403 University Ave.
Center for Technology Commercialization
Learn from innovators and experts about how to move your technology out of academia, with a focus on key resources, best practices, and federal SBIR/STTR opportunities. You’ll hear from founders of UW-Madison spinouts—from biotech to energy, medtech software and semiconductor electronics—who have earned SBIR/STTR grants as well as accelerator, angel or venture funding. This expert panel is designed for faculty, graduate students, staff, postdocs, and other UW-Madison and alumni tech innovators. If you are pursuing research that you hope to commercialize, you don’t want to miss this interactive panel!
Resource Panelists:
- Aimee Arnoldussen, PhD, Innovation and Commercialization Mentor, Discovery to Product (D2P), UW-Madison
- Bonnie Bachman, PhD, Director, UW-Madison Technology Entrepreneurship Office (TEO), UW-Madison
- Robert Baranowski, JD, Technology Consultant, Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC)
Innovator Panelists:
- Faraz Choudhury, PhD, Co-Founder, President and CEO, Immuto Scientific
- Joseph Grudzinski, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Voximetry
- Katy Jinkins, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, SixLine Semiconductor
- Patrick Sullivan, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Flux XII
Moderator:
- Kody Ova, Marketing Communications Specialist, Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Wisconsin CTC at CTC@lists.wisconsin.edu or call 701-320-7502.
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D2P SEED Grant Recipients Announcement
Monday, September 23, 1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. (in-person, free, open to the public)
Location: Discovery to Product (D2P), 1403 University Ave.
Celebrate the announcement of funding for emerging technologies from seven UW–Madison startups through a campus grant program from Discovery to Product (D2P), boosted by a matching grant of $250,000 from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
Join us to celebrate the companies and partnerships that advance Wisconsin innovation, with remarks by Sam Rikkers, WEDC Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, Abram Becker, D2P Interim Director, and the announcement of the latest SEED grant recipients.
If you need an accommodation to attend, please contact Jesse Lynch by September 13.
Hosted by:
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Fusion Forward: Commercializing Fusion Technology in Wisconsin
Tuesday, September 24, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. (hybrid, open to the public, pre-registration required for online attendance)
Location: In-person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute, 1552 University Ave., or via Zoom webinar
Recent technological breakthroughs, favorable policies, and increased investment have brightened the prospects for fusion energy, a long-studied and promising source of cheap, pollution-free, and virtually limitless power. As several startup companies aim to advance fusion from the research lab to commercial reality, Wisconsin is well positioned to become an economic hub for this groundbreaking technology. However, the journey to commercialization is complex and lengthy. Join us for an engaging discussion with Wisconsin-based fusion companies and researchers as they share both their visions for bringing fusion technology to market and the challenges they face.
Panelists:
- Dominick Bindl, Vice President of Technical Development, Realta Fusion
- Steffi Diem, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, UW-Madison, and a 2024 U.S. Science Envoy
- Chris Hegna, Vice President of Stellarator Physics Optimization, Type One Energy
- Eli Moll, Vice President and General Manager of Systems and Manufacturing, SHINE Technologies
Moderator:
- Adelle Wright, Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, UW-Madison
If you need an accommodation for this event please email outreach@energy.wisc.edu or call 608-890-0946. Requests made with less than 3 weeks’ notice will be honored when possible.
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NIH SBIR/STTR: Proposal Preparation Intensive
Wednesday, September 25, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (in-person, lunch provided, pre-registration required)
Location: Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Center for Technology Commercialization
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides over $1.25 billion in non-dilutive federal funding annually to advance basic research into product development through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Learn the essentials of SBIR/STTR funding and how to craft a competitive proposal that meets the unique requirements of the NIH. Get expert information during this daylong workshop for UW-Madison and Wisconsin innovators (including faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, and alumni) pursuing commercialization of research and technologies related to health and medicine.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Wisconsin CTC at CTC@lists.wisconsin.edu or call 701-320-7502.
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Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase
Wednesday, September 25, 5:30 – 7 p.m., followed by light refreshments (in-person, free, open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public, register at the door the day of the event)
Location: Grainger Hall 1310, The Plenary Room, 975 University Ave.
Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, Startup Learning Community, Discovery to Product (D2P)
Hear from UW–Madison founders and CEOs at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Showcase. Three exceptional Badger alumni will share their entrepreneurial journeys, leadership insights, and how their UW experiences set them on the road to success.
Featured speakers:
Lenoria Addison ’12, Founding Partner, KeyTV Network
A multifaceted entrepreneur, executive and producer in entertainment and advertising, Addison co-launched KeyTV Network — spotlighting the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs — with Keke Palmer.
Justin Beck ‘09, CEO of Playback Rewards and Co-Founder of PerBlue
A business operator specializing in mobile apps, games, e-commerce, and ad-tech, Beck co-founded PerBlue, the mobile game studio known for Disney Heroes and DragonSoul.
Kevin Hykes ’87, President and CEO of CVRx
An accomplished medical device industry executive, Hykes has over 30 years’ experience successfully commercializing novel therapies on a global basis.
If you need an accommodation to attend, please contact Lisa Collins by September 11.
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AI Across the Spectrum of Innovation
Thursday, September 26, 8:30 – 10 a.m. (in person, free, open to the public, pre-registration requested). Light breakfast 8:30 a.m. | Panel 9 a.m.
Location: Nancy Nicholas Hall, 1300 Linden Drive. Light breakfast: First floor in The Link and Wisconsin Idea Room (Room 1199). Panel: Plenary Hall, 5th Floor
Master of Science in Design + Innovation (MD+I)
Join the MS Design + Innovation (MD+I) community for an engaging panel discussion, featuring a diverse group of multi-hyphenate design innovators across engineering, technology and art. We are delighted to welcome our panelists:
- Mary Burton, Assistant Professor and Lecturer, User Experience Design, at Mount Mary University and the UW-Madison Information School
- Katherine Fu, PhD, Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison
- Chris Willey, Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance
- ChatGPT, Large Language Model
- and our moderator, Trudy Watt, Academic Director at MD+I
Our panelists will explore what it means to be “plural” in the realm of innovation, particularly in the context of AI integration. We will explore the unique perspectives of entrepreneurs and academics who continuously wear many hats in their careers, to surface insights about what innovation means in an array of work settings.
We will discuss ethical questions around the potential for AI integration into innovation practice and examine what it might mean to be a “human-AI centaur.” What opportunities, challenges, and constraints might be inherent in such collaborations? Additionally, the conversation will cover the inherent pluralism required to innovate in today’s complex academic and entrepreneurial landscape.
We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please contact us by email (mdi_program@wisc.edu) no later than one week before the event to make an accommodation request.
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How Open Source is Fostering Innovation in AI
Thursday, September 26, 5 – 7 p.m. (in-person, free, open to the public, pre-registration through Wed. 9/25, then register at the door). Reception/Networking 5:00 p.m. | Speaker Program 5:30 p.m.
Location: Howard Auditorium, Fluno Center, 601 University Avenue
This event will consist of short talks and a moderated panel discussion by leaders in the AI community about how AI initiatives are leveraging open source technologies for maximum impact and growth. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how open source is powering the AI ecosystem and how it drives innovation across industries.
Speakers (updated):
- Paige Bailey, engineering lead for the GenAI Developer Experience team at Google
- Will Falcon, AI researcher and CEO of Lightning AI
- Dmitry Petrov, CEO and co-founder of Iterative.ai
Moderator:
- Nhi Lê, Principal at Alpha Intelligence Capital
If you need an accommodation to attend this event, please contact Bethany Philbrick, OSPO Outreach Specialist at bethany.philbrick@wisc.edu. All accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event. We will attempt to fulfill requests made after this date but cannot guarantee they will be met. If you have dietary needs, please contact Bethany Philbrick, OSPO Outreach Specialist at bethany.philbrick@wisc.edu.
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NSF I-Corps Pathways to Impact: Building your Idea Network
Friday, September 27, 9 – 10:30 a.m. (in-person, free, pre-registration requested)
Location: Cheney Room, 1413 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Drive
Technology Entrepreneurship Office (TEO)
If you want to take an idea to impact, you don’t have to do it alone. And the science of innovation shows that you can be more effective when you have a network of people to learn from and to support and propel your idea forward.
Designed for graduate students, postdocs, staff and faculty, this interactive workshop will help participants learn to develop “idea networks” that could include potential customers, users, colleagues, experts, mentors and other stakeholders. The session will also expose participants to the entrepreneurial mindset, and how it can help guide their research and career.
Walk away with a plan to build your network and identify your stakeholder universe, and a new framework to help your innovations be more use-inspired and impactful.
Workshop leaders:
- Ilya Avdeev, PhD, Director, Lubar Entrepreneurship Center and Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UW-Milwaukee
- Bonnie Bachman, PhD, Director, UW-Madison Technology Entrepreneurship Office (TEO), UW–Madison
- Abram Becker, MBA, Interim Director, Discovery to Product (D2P), UW–Madison
If you need an accommodation to attend, please contact Emma Uren by September 12.
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Fundraising for Early-Stage Startups
Friday, September 27, 12 noon – 1:30 p.m.
This event is at capacity and we are unable to accept additional registrations.
Location: Discovery to Product (D2P), 1403 University Ave.
You’ve incorporated your startup, have a solid business/commercialization plan, and may already have grant, accelerator or other non-dilutive funding. When are you ready to pursue your first risk capital or equity investment, such as angel or an investment accelerator?
Hear from early-stage investors who have worked with UW startups, what they look for in founders and teams, and their advice on when and how to connect.
This session is designed for UW founders and teams who are already trying to raise their first risk capital or are planning to do so in the next 12-18 months, as well as those who want an introduction to early-stage capital sources and fundraising.
Panelists (left to right):
- Brad Bodden, Co-Manager, Wisconsin Investment Partners
- Maggie Brickerman, Partner, gener8tor
- Joshua Carson, Venture Manager, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
- Matthew Kee, Manager, Tundra Angels
Moderator:
- Abram Becker, MBA, Interim Director, Discovery to Product (D2P), UW–Madison
If you need an accommodation to attend, please contact Jesse Lynch by September 13.
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Makeathon 2024
Friday, September 27, 12 noon – 7 p.m. (kick-off lunch at noon)
Location: Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab @ Wendt Commons
Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab with the Masters of Design + Innovation Program, Erdman, MakeGood and TOM Global.
Join for a hands-on workshop where you’ll build Toddler Mobility Trainers – customized, small wheelchairs designed to give young children the joy of independent movement. Help kids in need, learn how to use tools in the Makerspace, and have fun socializing with disciplines from across campus. All students, faculty, staff and alumni from UW–Madison welcome. No experience needed. Sign up to participate, help or partner!
If you need an accommodation to attend this event, please contact Maggie Muldowney (event host/coordinator) at 608-571-7023 or mmmuldowney@wisc.edu. All accommodation requests should be made no less than two weeks before the event. We will attempt to fulfill requests made after this date, but cannot guarantee they will be met.
Looking for campus innovation and entrepreneurship events all year long? Check out the Innovate events calendar and subscribe to the Innovate Insider e-news to receive news and updates.
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