Turning UW Milwaukee Research Into Startups with Jessica Silvaggi of UWM Research Foundation

University research is generating breakthrough ideas, but who's turning them into companies? Jessica Silvaggi of the UW Milwaukee Research Foundation explains why inventors become entrepreneurs by default and what Wisconsin's ecosystem is missing.Key Topics→ How the UW Milwaukee Research Foundation commercializes university research→ The Catalyst Grant: $6.27M deployed, $49M in follow-on funding ($7.80 per dollar)→ Why inventors typically become founders when no one else steps up→ Wisconsin's conservative investor culture and the wait-for-traction problem→ Building stronger founding teams and the case for fractional executives→ Panther Partnering: the "easy button" for industry research partnerships→ Featured startupsSegments00:00 Intro01:45 What the UW Milwaukee Research Foundation does04:30 Types of inventions coming from the university (54% engineering)07:15 Reaching students and faculty who don't realize they have inventions09:45 The Catalyst Grant: 18 years of seed funding results13:20 Bridge Grant and Panther Partnering programs17:00 Express licensing for university startups18:45 The upcoming Panther Leap philanthropic venture fund21:30 Jessica's journey from Harvard PhD to tech transfer26:00 Why inventors become entrepreneurs by default29:15 Connecting external entrepreneurs with university tech32:40 Working with corporate innovation teams35:20 What would make the biggest impact with unlimited resources39:00 Startup highlights43:30 Milwaukee's evolving startup ecosystem46:15 Gaps that still need attention49:00 Building stronger founding teams52:30 The case for fractional executives55:00 Latest research going to market58:30 How to connect with the Research Foundation Resources & Links MentionedUW Milwaukee Research FoundationLubar Entrepreneurship Center at UWMCatalyst Grant ProgramBridge Grant ProgramPanther Partnering ProgramPanthers Connect Platform / Pounce NetworkWisconsin Tech Council‍I-Corps Program Connect with Jessica SilvaggiJessica Silvaggi on LinkedIn Podcast SponsorValency FundFlexible funding solutions designed for sustainable growth of Wisconsin companies.Learn more at https://www.valencyfund.com/🔻 Connect With Us 🔻Subscribe to the Startup Wisconsin Newsletterhttps://www.startupwi.org/Upcoming Tech and Startup Events in Wisconsin (400+ every year)https://www.startupwi.org/eventsFollow us on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-wisconsin/Connect with Jacob Miller:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kineticbearInterested in being a guest? Reach [email protected] Wisconsin's mission is to connect, educate, inspire, and grow tech startup communities across the state, not just during events, but year-round. This podcast is part of that vision, creating deeper connections and sharing the knowledge that helps Wisconsin's startup ecosystem thrive.This podcast is made by your friends at Headway.https://www.headway.io