On The Prowl: The Research Review

Guiding Innovation.

Fostering Partnerships.

May 2024

Newsletter Contents: Promising innovations featured at the First Look Forum event, results from 414 Days of Giving, Wisconsin partners pursue $160M for ag tech innovation engine, and UWMRF President Jessica Silvaggi in the news.

Early Stage Innovations Shine at First Look Forum

Bone healing, aroma disbursement, electric field neutralization, and more - the 16th Annual First Look Forum gave professors and students from UW-Milwaukee, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Marquette University a chance to share their work with investors and companies from all over southeast Wisconsin.

“We hand-picked these projects because they have exciting commercial potential, promising early data, and researchers who are dynamically engaged in innovation,” noted Jessica Silvaggi, UWM Research Foundation President. She added, “Our goal is to make worlds collide. The Forum brings together businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers to connect in real-time and envision opportunities for fruitful partnerships.”

We are so grateful for the generous donors that gave to the UWM Research Foundation for 414 Days of Giving at UWM. We surpassed our goal to raise $10,000, raising $12,975 and completed our challenge of finding 15 donors. These funds are crucial in supporting our innovators and entrepreneurs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Double Your Gift to UWM Startups!

We are now seeking matching funds for our Bridge Grant Program. Your gift will be matched 1:1 by the WEDC to help support the future of UWM startups and have a significant impact in our region. Contributions of all sizes welcome!

In the News

UWM Research Foundation President in the News

In a recent feature article by MKE Startup News, Jessica Silvaggi discusses plans to lead UWM Research Foundation into the future. Click below to read full article.

Milwaukee Commerce Spring 2024 by MMAC - Issuu (check out page 29)

Wisconsin Partners Pursue $160M to Lead in Sustainable Ag

For more than a year, UWM Research Foundation has been participating in a $1M National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project to lay the groundwork for making the Wisconsin region a global leader in sustainable agriculture.

Led by WiSys, the project brings together all 13 University of Wisconsin institutions as well as a host of industry, nonprofit, and government entities to harness the region's talent and develop an ambitious regional innovation engine. Over the past year, voices from communities across Wisconsin have come together to identify challenges and opportunities for transforming sustainable agriculture in our state and beyond. We are excited to build on this momentum and use these findings to make a case to apply for follow-on NSF grant funding of up to $160M over ten years.