On Sept. 24, over 300 attendees gathered for the annual Celebrate Invention event hosted by Innovation Partnerships. The University of Michigan community, alongside the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, came together at the Michigan League to commend campus innovators and their societal contributions. This event is a significant platform for showcasing impactful university inventions and fostering innovation.
The event opened with the Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award, which honored Dr. Zhong He, a nuclear engineering and radiological sciences professor. He was recognized for his extensive academic and economic contributions to nuclear radiation technology. Following Dr. He’s presentation, a panel titled “From Lab to Launch: Radiation Detection Technology Transforming Industry and Healthcare” was held. Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research — innovation partnerships and economic impact, moderated the discussion featuring Dr. He and the CEOs of his startups: Willy Kaye of H3D, Mike Hopkins of M3D, and Xiaopei Huang of MH3D.
After the panel, a networking reception began, featuring technology demonstrations. Kelly Sexton shared updates from the Innovation Partnerships team, spotlighting the upcoming Accelerate Blue Foundry opening and the new WAVE Venture Studio in Ann Arbor. “We would not be having this level of impact if not for the brilliance and drive of our faculty, coupled with a strong partnership with our surrounding innovation ecosystem,” Sexton stated. Vice President for Research and Innovation Arthur Lupia also provided remarks, highlighting the importance of transitioning research discoveries to the marketplace.
Nine dynamic U-M startups and technologies were on display, including:
Detroit River Story Lab
This initiative uses place-based narratives to boost civic engagement and community empowerment.
Fragmatics
Developing leading Proteomic search engine optimization tools for academic and commercial uses.
General Orbit Company
Revolutionizing commercial space with advanced sensors and machine-learning for any orbit platform.
GripFusion
AI-powered sports tech company offering grip-sensing equipment for real-time biomechanical feedback.
Intero Biosystems
Developing stem cell-derived miniature organs to predict drug behavior pre-clinical trials.
M3D
Creating real-time radiation imaging cameras for surgical and radiotherapy applications.
MELD Health
Introducing DocTrek™—a mobile-based conversational AI transforming patient-centered care.
Sequestro, Inc.
Manufacturing innovative bio-based materials for water purification using patented technology.
Taza Aya
Developing maskless personal respiratory protection against airborne viruses.
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