University of Michigan researchers expanded the real-world impact of their discoveries in fiscal year 2026, setting multiple records for research commercialization.
In the past year, university innovators reported 726 inventions, eclipsing last year's record of 673. The university also launched a record 40 new startup companies, the highest total in U-M history and, based on publicly available data, the highest annual total reported by a U.S. university.
This represents an average of a new startup every nine days.
Innovation Partnerships, the university's research commercialization arm, recently announced its fiscal year 2026 results ending June 30. The numbers provide key insights into the breadth and depth of U-M's innovation ecosystem and will be highlighted at this year's Celebrate Invention event on Sept. 24.
"These achievements reflect something bigger than a single year of effort," said Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research-innovation partnerships and economic impact. "The University of Michigan has a long and distinguished history of moving research discoveries into the world.
"Together with our partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corp., we have built on that foundation through sustained investments in the programs, talent and capital that strengthen our research commercialization ecosystem. That innovation flywheel is gaining momentum."
In addition to a record-breaking number of startups launched, fiscal year 2026 saw six initial and secondary public offerings, another new high. U-M startups also attracted a record $796 million in venture capital.
The year also was significant for startup exits and public-market activity, with $3.83 billion in public offerings, buyouts, mergers and acquisitions. That includes the $2.25 billion partial exit of HistoSonics and Stryker's $800 million acquisition of Amplitude Vascular Systems.
U-M faculty had a strong year of industry collaboration. The Corporate and Foundation Research Alliances team within Innovation Partnerships provided direct relationship and negotiation support for 195 new on-campus corporate-sponsored research awards totaling $75.8 million, a significant increase from the previous year and a major contributor to the university's total of $249.8 million.
Innovation Partnerships also reported 339 license and option agreements, 197 new U.S. patents issued and $60.5 million received in licensing royalties during the last fiscal year.
The Accelerate Blue Fund, an evergreen venture fund managed by Innovation Partnerships, added investments in 23 new companies, bringing the portfolio up to 45 U-M startups. The fund now oversees $30 million in assets under management.
The record number of startups launched in fiscal year 2026 reflects years of investment in a commercialization pipeline, including translational funding, mentors-in-residence, a founder-friendly startup licensing framework, an inventor-centered service approach and the Accelerate Blue Foundry.
The foundry pairs entrepreneurs from across the country with U-M researchers to accelerate startup launch. Five of the 40 startups launched in 2026 were enabled by the foundry.
"This year's results show what is possible when world-class university research is matched with the right commercialization support," said Patricia Hurn, interim vice president for research and innovation. "More discoveries are moving toward patients, customers and communities. More companies are launching, attracting investment and creating economic opportunity across Michigan.
"As exciting as this year has been, I'm most energized by what comes next."
Written by Alexi Pierce, Innovation Partnerships
