

Hirschmugl noted that the company continues to use facilities on campus for some of its analysis and maintaining connections is “a great way to attract people to come to us.” “I had tremendous support on my journey,” she said. “When you’re pushed out of your comfort zone, that’s when you grow.”Ĭarol Hirschmugl, a former faculty member at UWM and now the founder and CEO of COnovate, Inc., a company developing new materials for lithium ion batteries, said her success started with a discovery that led to a patent done through UWM’s research foundation. “What’s important is the failing upward,” he said. “My story would not have been where it is now without the UW System,” said DePinto, who earned an engineering degree at Milwaukee.ĭePinto said his entrepreneurial journey started with a start-up challenge. Jess DePinto, co-founder and CEO of Frontdesk, Inc., a travel technology company, said the majority of their senior leaders came out of UWM.

Panelists included UWM alumni and faculty who addressed how UWM undergraduate and graduate programs are leveraging their skills to launch new enterprises in Milwaukee and scale entrepreneurial programming as well as the process of bringing research from an R1 institution into the market. UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone led a panel discussion highlighting UWM entrepreneurs and emphasizing their impact as part of Milwaukee’s innovation economy. (from left): Hirschmugl, Trammell, and DePinto (Photo by UWM) UWM hosts panel discussion on entrepreneurial programs

“Our universities are the incubators, the researchers, and sometimes even the executors of exciting new innovations.” “We know that UW System universities provide the talent, research, and support that help Wisconsin companies and entrepreneurs thrive and innovate,” said UW System President Jay Rothman.

One of the priorities identified in the strategic plan is the need for the UW System to foster a culture of innovation in support of advancing human knowledge and economic prosperity. Video: “Businesses Drive Innovation with UW Universities”
