University of Michigan and WAVE ventures to launch deep tech startup studio in Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan’s Innovation Partnerships has announced a new collaboration with WAVE Ventures to establish the WAVE Ventures Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The initiative aims to accelerate startup creation in the Deep Tech sector by combining U-M’s strong research and innovation pipeline with WAVE’s expertise in venture building, early capital, and strategic partnerships.

The new studio will pair selected university technologies with WAVE’s network of operators, engineers, and investors to build and launch new startups. These companies will license university IP, receive venture funding, and benefit from U-M’s commercialization resources and WAVE’s national connections. The initiative builds on a thriving regional innovation ecosystem anchored by IASP member Ann Arbor SPARK, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Technology Transfer Talent Network, all of which contribute to the state’s growing Deep Tech landscape.

The partnership will also strengthen Michigan’s role as a leader in translating university research into real-world impact. By identifying high-potential discoveries and supporting them through early development, the studio aims to bring more technologies to market faster and attract additional investment into the region’s startup community.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the WAVE Ventures Studio will expand opportunities for collaboration between academia and industry while reinforcing Ann Arbor’s position as a national hub for technology commercialization and entrepreneurial growth.