Ann Arbor SPARK and Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan will bring the Ann Arbor region’s innovation model to SXSW on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, hosting two sessions and a networking reception at the LINE Hotel in Austin, Texas.
The afternoon of programming will explore why fast-growing companies and global innovators are increasingly choosing Michigan and other Midwestern tech hubs over coastal markets — leveraging talent density, research strength, and capital efficiency to build and scale more effectively. Through two back-to-back panel discussions, followed by a reception, attendees will hear directly from founders, corporate R&D leaders, and ecosystem builders on how talent density, university–industry collaboration, and capital efficiency create a real competitive advantage outside traditional coastal markets.
Why the Midwest Wins: Where Innovation Takes Off
1:00–2:00 PM | Presented by Ann Arbor SPARK
The first session examines the national rise of “opportunity-driven ecosystems,” using Ann Arbor as a case study in how a region can punch far above its weight across mobility, life sciences, AI, and advanced manufacturing. Panelists will discuss what drives companies to choose places like Ann Arbor, how partnerships with global R&D leaders accelerate innovation, and why Midwest hubs are becoming magnets for both startups and established companies.
The session will be moderated by Paul Krutko, President and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, and feature:
- Rebeca Delgado, Vice President, Engineering, Torc
- Pete Mertens, Head of Operations, BioA North America, Sartorius
- Mark Smith, Founder and President, Michigan Innovation Headquarters (MI-HQ)
Together, panelists will share real-world examples of founder success, corporate innovation, and how Ann Arbor’s regional assets, supported by SPARK, help companies grow faster and more sustainably.
“SXSW is an opportunity to have a national conversation about how innovation actually scales,” said Krutko. “Here in the Midwest — and especially in Michigan — regions like Ann Arbor succeed by connecting research, talent, and industry in practical, disciplined ways that accelerate growth. This is about showing what works — and why it matters.”
Spinning Out: What It Takes to Build a University Startup
2:30–3:30 PM | Presented by Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan
The second session brings the conversation down to the founder level, exploring what it truly takes to turn university research into a scalable company. In this panel discussion, founders who launched companies out of the University of Michigan will share candid insights into navigating intellectual property, raising early capital, building teams, validating markets, and crossing the “valley of death.”
The session will be moderated by Mike Psarouthakis, Executive Director of Impact Investments & Strategic Alliances at Innovation Partnerships, and feature:
- Charlie Childs, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO, Intero Biosystems
- Adam Molnar, Co-Founder and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Neurable
- Jim Adox, Managing Partner, Venture Investors Health Fund; Board Member, HistoSonics
The discussion will highlight the “Michigan model” of pairing academic excellence with practical commercialization, connecting founders to capital, and enabling startups to scale locally rather than leaving for the coasts.
“Universities play a critical role in turning discovery into impact, but the path from lab to market isn’t linear,” said Psarouthakis. “This session brings the story down to the founder level, sharing real experiences about what it takes to commercialize research and how the right ecosystem can make that journey possible.”
Hosted Reception
A reception immediately following the sessions (3:30-6:00 pm CST, LINE Hotel) will provide space for continued conversation and connection among founders, investors, corporate innovators, university leaders, and economic development partners from across the country. All SXSW badge holders are welcome to attend the reception.
By participating in SXSW, Ann Arbor SPARK and Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan aim to strengthen national relationships, connect with peer regions and investors, and position the Ann Arbor region as a leading example of how place-based innovation ecosystems compete and grow in today’s economy.
Ann Arbor SPARK has a long-standing presence at SXSW, regularly engaging national audiences through panels, partnerships, and collaborative programming that elevate Michigan’s innovation strengths. This year’s programming builds on that momentum by creating a dedicated platform to tell the Ann Arbor story directly, deepen connections with founders and investors, and engage new partners in conversations about scaling innovation beyond the coasts.
About Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan
Innovation Partnerships is the University of Michigan’s hub for research commercialization, working with faculty and researchers to translate discoveries into real-world solutions. Through patenting, licensing, startup formation, and strategic industry partnerships, Innovation Partnerships helps bring U-M innovations to market across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses.Innovation Partnerships supports commercialization through corporate research alliances, technology licensing, and venture development, including early-stage funding and mentorship for U-M startups. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities for startup creation, the office is committed to minimizing friction for entrepreneurs and accelerating technology-driven economic growth in Michigan and beyond. Learn more at innovationpartnerships.umich.edu.
