UTRF Launches Venture Program, Accelerator Fund
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) created the Venture Launch Program and the Accelerator Fund to bring more UT innovations to the world.
“The benefits this kind of program will provide are numerous and invaluable,” says UTRF President Maha Krishnamurthy. “As UTRF looks for ways to support entrepreneurship within UT, this program will be a key step in establishing that culture.”
UTRF protects and commercializes UT’s innovation and research while encouraging an entrepreneurial culture throughout the UT System. The program and fund will help nurture startup companies by providing UT’s innovators with the resources needed to transform their ideas into companies through early mentorship and guidance for commercialization.
The UT System provided the initial $5 million for the fund.
“UT already changes lives through the research and ideas its innovators produce,” says UT System President Randy Boyd. “Now, through the Venture Launch Program and the Accelerator Fund, we’ll help our researchers and innovators move more ideas into the world.”
Investments will range from $20,000 to $150,000, and while the ideas must originate from UT, the startup founders do not have to be UT-based. Funding recommendations will come from an investment advisory committee made up of investors and entrepreneurs.
UT System Spreads Orange in Middle, West Tennessee
UTRF Recognized for Patent Excellence
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation ranked No. 81 in the National Academy of Inventors’ Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022.
“The University of Tennessee continues to make a profound and tangible impact across the state and around the world,” says UT System President Randy Boyd. “Each of these patents further positions UTRF as problem-solvers and solution-seekers that create future opportunities for success.”
The UT Research Foundation received 41 patents in 2022, placing it in 81st place alongside the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and the University of New Mexico.
“We support UT innovators to develop and deploy technology that solves problems and improves lives,” UTRF President Maha Krisnamurthy said. “Innovation is everywhere at UT, and our team is capturing every opportunity.”
