The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Foundation hosted an event in May at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center to re-launch a new program named UWM ENGAGE, which was launched in 2020. The ENGAGE program was created to further support UWM innovators who can be at any stage of exploration of an innovation. We want to provide guidance at any level of entry with support from the Research Foundation and the many outside qualified and diverse volunteer mentors that have committed to this program.

The ENGAGE reboot event had a great turnout. Innovators were able to network and make new connections with mentors as well as reignite connections that might have been strained in the pandemic years. Each innovator gave an elevator pitch to explain their idea to the group and allow mentors to learn firsthand what stage each person was at and offer advice.

The UWMRF is looking for more UWM innovators (current or alums) and is interested to find more diverse mentors to support innovators with the best and most applicable mentor match possible. The ENGAGE Mentors are a group of experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs who volunteer their time and provide useful feedback, advice, suggestions, and action items to keep moving forward.