UTRF Launches UT Ventures to Connect UT Alumni Investors with UT-Related Startups |
UT Ventures, a new initiative of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF), connects a network of accredited alumni investors from universities across the UT System with startups founded or led by UT alumni, faculty, or students; companies built on UT-owned intellectual property; or companies working closely with one or more UT campuses.
The network is designed to expand the University’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by creating a flexible and impact-focused way for alumni and friends to invest in UT-related companies – complementing traditional philanthropy.
“UT Ventures is about UT funders for UT founders,” said Maha Krishnamurthy, Ph.D., MBA, UTRF president and CEO. “We’re building a high-impact alumni investment community that connects UT entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and educational resources – while giving alumni investors access to meaningful deal flow and a stronger connection to the university.”
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*Numbers reflect information 07/01/2025 - 03/31/2026 and are subject to change
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| Innovation Disclosures | U.S. Patents Filed |
U.S. Patents Issued | Licenses | Startups |
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| 151 |
80 | 12 | 23 |
2 |
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| Innovations being Marketed |
Companies Contacted | Companies Responded | Company Discussions |
|---|
| 50 |
540 | 74 |
37 |
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UTRF is hiring an assistant or associate technology manager to support the technology evaluation, protection, marketing, and commercialization efforts of early-stage UT technologies.
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Outreach completed by the UTRF team during April 2026
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UTRF hosted its annual staff retreat, bringing together its teams from Knoxville and Memphis.
- Hosted retired automotive executive Mike Hall, who delivered a guest lecture in Dr. Bai's electric vehicles class and met with research groups across UTK's Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Aerospace Engineering.
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Attended the national angel capital association summit in Denver and met with investors, founders and other university angel groups.
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Attended the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund award ceremony in Knoxville where five teams received $50,000 in funding to aid in commercializing their innovation.
- James Parrett, interim UTRF Vice President for the Memphis Office, was a featured guest at the networking session for the annual Graduate Research Day at the UT Health Science Center. He discussed commercialization opportunities for student posters.
- Attended the launch of the 2026 Spark Mobility Lab Cohort.
- Attended the Southeast Venture Showcase where three UTRF startups pitched.
- Judged the Graves Business Plan Competition hosted by the Anderson Center.
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UT Innovators with newly opened disclosures in March 2026.
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Cong Trinh
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
David Dooley
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Ilja Popovs
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
Leyi Deng
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Rebecca Lalk
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Luis Stand Stracuzzi
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
David Jenkins
College of Arts & Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry
Jared McGuirt
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Dept. of Nutrition
Mark Dadmun
College of Arts & Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry
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Christopher Cotter
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Joshua Livingston
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
Pushkar Dalal
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Weinan Xu
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Charles Melcher
Tickle College of Engineering, Scintillation Materials Research Center
Mariya Zhuravleva
Tickle College of Engineering, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
Phattananawee Nalaoh
College of Arts & Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry
Shelby Watson
College of Arts & Sciences, Dept. of Chemistry
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UT Institute of Agriculture |
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Tanmay Jalgaonkar
Herbert College of Agriculture, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
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Chetan Badgujar
Herbert College of Agriculture, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
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Robert Williams
College of Medicine, Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology
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U.S. Patents issued to UT Innovators in March 2026
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12,570,684 | DPAGT1 Inhibitors of Capuramycin Analogues and Their Antimigratory Activities of Solid Tumors
12,586,992 | Scalable Reconfigurable Apparatus and Methods for Electric Power System Emulation
12,587,017 | Methods and Apparatus for Controlling an Inverter
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Have an Idea? Let's Talk! |
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