Michigan Corporate Relations Network Strengthens University and Industry Collaboration with Launch of Online Portal

Online portal to strengthen pipeline of technology commercialization through information sharing

LANSING, Mich. – April 29, 2019 – University researchers across Michigan who continue to break barriers in science, high-tech innovations and technology commercialization through research and development are the focal point of a new online portal through the Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN).

Funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative, MCRN is a statewide university network designed to create and support partnerships that connect Michigan’s corporations to critical university assets that help grow Michigan’s economy.

“The MCRN portal is unique with its statewide inclusion from all Michigan public universities and allows industry to use a single resource for finding new technology or solutions to technical problems they are seeking support on,” said Denise Graves, university relations director at the MEDC. “This online portal will act as a facilitator and a point place for industry to have an overview of what universities are currently working on and can support university to university research, development and collaboration. This statewide approach to university and industry collaboration delivers an efficient process for identifying current projects, ongoing research and pinpointing the potential for interaction and research projects between universities and industry.”

The MCRN portal was developed in partnership with Wellspring, a leading innovation management software company with a full suite of web-based products and applications.  The portal aggregates innovation data from Michigan’s 15 public institutions and thousands of publicly sourced websites, including patents, publications, grants, and clinical trials.

Access to the portal data is available at no cost to the university or industry team seeking collaboration and assistance. Visit MCRN Faculty Expertise Portal to begin your search. The portal is supported through the MCRN grant which is funded by the MEDC.

ABOUT MEDC's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative

MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech startup companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation visit www.michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.

About Wellspring

Wellspring is the world's leading provider of innovation management software and solutions for both corporations and universities. We help clients succeed in today's innovation economy by researching technology trends, finding innovation partners, identifying startups, commercializing inventions, and coordinating global R&D and innovation programs.  Wellspring works with more than 500 organizations worldwide to support the continued development of the global Knowledge Supply Chain. For more information, please visit wellspring.com.

PRESS CONTACTS

MEDC

Tonie Wells

[email protected]

+1 (313) 309-9545

Wellspring

Jennifer Welter

[email protected]

+1 (888) 286-9421

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About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.