U-M’s Accelerate Blue Foundry Launches Second Cohort  

Innovation Partnerships, the research commercialization arm of the University of Michigan, recently announced the launch of its second cohort for the Accelerate Blue Foundry program. The Foundry aims to connect ambitious entrepreneurs with cutting-edge U-M research to accelerate the path to startup launch and address the world’s great challenges. 

From December 2025 through May 2026, selected entrepreneurs will work with inventors to gather technology background materials and receive ongoing mentorship and support from the Innovation Partnerships Ventures and Licensing teams as they craft their funding pitch. The program will culminate in a pitch day where projects will present to the Innovation Partnerships team and investors for an opportunity to license the technology. Each viable startup from the Foundry will receive a minimum seed investment of $50,000 from the Accelerate Blue Fund. 

Applications are open through November 5, 2025. 

To learn more about the Foundry, view available projects and apply for the program, please visit our website at https://innovationpartnerships.umich.edu/accelerate-blue-foundry/