Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)

Are you an entrepreneur in the startup stage of a tech-based business? Consider applying for the Wisconsin Technology Council's 2026 Launch Wisconsin Business Plan Contest.

The contest links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, management talent and possible sources of capital.

Apply by June 15!

Launch Wisconsin contest open for statewide entries through June 15, 2026 Launch Wisconsin, formerly the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is accepting entries online for the 2026 competition until 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2026. The Wisconsin Technology Council…

Applications are now open for Pressure Chamber 2026! Finalists will pitch live on August 18 during Forward Festival, with the winner earning a spot in the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this October.

Apply by July 8: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccNNJbLAQdaFae4SMXEy5eR-pGUlcQcxbJmW8h0WDXep3vdg/viewform

Looking to connect with innovators across Wisconsin?

The WiSys SPARK Symposium brings together Universities of Wisconsin faculty, students, staff and alumni July 22-24 to share ideas, showcase research and spark new collaborations.

Register now: https://www.wisys.org/event/spark

Looking for a faster path to innovation?

Here are three reasons to try WARF's express licensing:

✅ Speed – Move from interest to agreement faster with a streamlined process
✅ Simplicity – Easy access to a curated portfolio of ready-to-license technologies
✅ Impact – Tap into 100+ University of Wisconsin-Madison innovations

From clean technology to cutting-edge research tools, express licensing helps industry partners move quickly from discovery to impact.

Explore the portfolio: https://expresslicensing.warf.org/products

Meet Beth Drolet from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health whose team conducts translational research focused on birthmarks and vascular anomalies, linking patient care with laboratory discovery.

By collecting clinical data and patient samples, the team investigates the genetic and molecular pathways that drive these congenital conditions. Using next-generation sequencing, researchers identify disease-causing mutations and develop targeted therapies, including novel drugs and gene editing. The team also leads clinical trials and longitudinal studies to better understand the prevalence, complications and outcomes of vascular anomalies.

"Dr. Drolet's research primarily focuses on vascular anomalies in pediatric patients. We believe the translation of her findings holds significant potential for impact," says Rafael Diaz, WARF licensing manager.

Meet UW-Madison’s Beth Drolet “Dr. Drolet’s research primarily focuses on vascular anomalies in pediatric patients. We believe the translation of her findings holds significant potential for impact.”

Heading to BIO? So are we.

Let's partner on breakthrough University of Wisconsin-Madison technologies.

Connect with Goutham Narla, Brian Dyck, Rafael Diaz, Mike Partsch, Jeanine Burmania and Josh Carson to explore opportunities in therapeutics and drug development.

At WARF, we're proud to support groundbreaking discoveries that have the potential to transform industries and improve lives.

Discover six of last year's most exciting new inventions from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

✅ Soybeans that produce both a vibrant, eco-friendly red dye and a brain-boosting compound: https://youtu.be/vQX25xfGtaY

✅ A system that supports flexible, scalable computing for today's complex and fast-changing workloads: https://youtu.be/1KHL1IdLIS8

✅ A device that boosts quantum device performance and could improve efficiency in next-gen technologies like quantum sensors, communication systems and computers: https://youtu.be/kTpxYQumxTs

✅ Recyclable protein degraders that could boost cancer immunotherapy treatments by making them more durable and effective: https://youtu.be/e2IO3JWSE_0

✅ An herbicide system that uses a natural plant peptide, SPH, to suppress and kill a wide variety of weeds: https://youtu.be/hcLG8Pl6bjU

✅ A targeted eye therapy that requires fewer injections than current therapies and could improve outcomes for patients with retinal diseases: https://youtu.be/4DqdDQfNga0

Researchers from the UW-Madison College of Engineering have discovered why defects form in 3D-printed high-end metal parts like titanium aluminide jet engine turbine blades.

They used a bespoke synchrotron X-ray imaging system to identify the phenomenon, which occurs in parts created with an up-and-coming additive manufacturing technology called electron beam melting.

Not sorry to burst this bubble: How X-ray imaging revealed the source of defects in premium 3D-printed parts - College of Engineering - University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers have discovered why defects form in 3D-printed high-end metal parts like titanium aluminide jet engine turbine blades. They used a bespoke synchrotron X-ray imaging system to identify the phenomenon, which occurs...

Meet Krishnan Suresh from the UW-Madison Department of Mechanical Engineering in the UW-Madison College of Engineering who works on topology optimization, design for additive manufacturing, computational mechanics and high-performance computing.

His research addresses computational bottlenecks and how to overcome them, how to address additive manufacturing constraints in topology optimization, how to preserve design features during topology optimization, how to handle tangled meshes in large-deformation finite element analysis, and the theoretical advances that are needed to solve multi-constrained design optimization challenges.

"Suresh's industrial experience and enthusiasm for education are inspiring. His expertise in solving real challenges in computational design has near-term commercial applicability and he's always willing to engage to help translate his research into real-world impact," says Stephanie Whitehorse, WARF director of intellectual property, physical sciences.

Meet UW-Madison’s Krishnan Suresh “Suresh’s industrial experience and enthusiasm for education are inspiring. His expertise in solving real challenges in computational design have near-term commercial applicability and he’s always willing to engage to help translate his research into real-world impact.”

UW Health l Carbone Cancer Center director Christian Capitini brings a unique perspective shaped by decades in pediatric oncology and immunotherapy.

A former member of the Pediatric Cancer Dream Team, Capitini has helped advance breakthrough treatments and led research that continues to shape the field.

Now, he's focused on what's next: expanding access to clinical trials, growing expertise in immunology and AI, and ensuring patients of all ages benefit from the latest innovations.

We look forward to partnering with him to support and accelerate innovations that improve cancer care.

Christian Capitini onboards as director of the Carbone Cancer Center With a background in pediatric oncology and immunotherapy, Capitini brings a unique perspective and a clear vision for the center’s future.