On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Mike Partsch, Chief Venture Officer at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Located in Madison, Wisconsin, WARF serves as the designated tech transfer office for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For nearly a century, WARF has played a crucial role in advancing groundbreaking discoveries from the university’s research labs to commercial markets. They manage the intellectual property generated by university researchers, license it to various industries, and allocate royalties back to the university to support ongoing research and innovation. With a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative ecosystem, WARF has successfully partnered with numerous startups, driving impactful advancements across various sectors. Mike Partsch is a seasoned professional with a rich background in venture capital and entrepreneurship. Having spent years honing his skills in the startup landscape, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to WARF’s investment strategy.
Mike’s journey led him to work closely with the university’s entrepreneurial community, identifying promising technologies ready for commercialization. His insights into building a robust portfolio of startups around health, wellness, and technology have positioned WARF as a leader in the field, particularly in the health care sector. In this episode, Mike discusses the mission of WARF Ventures and its unique approach to investing in startups that stem from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He shares how WARF’s structure as a separate nonprofit organization allows for a more agile and focused investment strategy, enabling them to support early-stage companies effectively.
Mike also highlights the importance of collaboration with entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to ensure that innovations can thrive and address significant challenges within the healthcare landscape. He emphasizes WARF’s commitment to wellness and preventative care, aiming to shift the conversation away from reactive healthcare solutions.
Visit WARF at https://www.warf.org/, LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-alumni-research-foundation/. Reach out to Mike Partsch at Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepartsch/. You can also contact him via email at MPartsch@warf.org.
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Hall T Martin is the director of Investor Connect, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the education of investors for early-stage funding. All opinions expressed by Hall and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Investor Connect. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for the basis of investment decisions.