UTRF plays a key role in state and regional economic development efforts at the intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world solutions. In the past two decades, UTRF has supported biofuel innovation, renewable energy projects, advanced materials and manufacturing, technology entrepreneurship, and many other impactful initiatives that enhance Tennessee’s economy. Genera: Pioneering Biofuel and Biomass Innovation (read more)
Entrepreneurship
UTRF Executes License Agreement with Endeavor Composites
Entrepreneurship in the hard tech space is not for the faint of heart. Milestones often take years to achieve. The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) is a steadfast partner in this journey, working with innovators to turn groundbreaking innovations into reality—no matter how long the commercialization runway. In May 2024, UTRF executed a license (read more)
UTRF’s Accelerate Fund Makes First Investment in UT Startup, Co-Investing with LaunchTN’s InvestTN Fund
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation’s Accelerate Fund made its first investment in Orion Therapeutics, a biotechnology startup developing next-generation RNA medicines using a novel drug delivery system. UTRF and Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) co-invested, both contributing $150,000 of pre seed investment. UTRF’s Accelerate Fund launched in 2023 and provides funding opportunities to help viable startups (read more)