Mentor-In-Residence, Technology Transfer Talent Network

The Tech Transfer Talent Network (T3N) Mentor-in-Residence (MIR) serves as a senior-level commercialization advisor who accelerates the translation of university innovations into commercially viable products, startup ventures, and licensing opportunities. The MIR works closely with faculty inventors, researchers, students, technology commercialization professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners to evaluate early-stage technologies, improve commercialization decision-making, reduce technical and market risk, and advance innovations toward market adoption.

As part of the Michigan statewide T3N initiative, the MIR provides entrepreneurial expertise, industry insight, and access to extensive professional networks. The position supports venture creation, startup acceleration, customer discovery, market validation, fundraising readiness, and commercialization strategy development within designated focus areas such as life sciences, physical sciences, automotive and mobility technologies, advanced manufacturing, energy, and digital/software technologies.

The MIR plays a critical role in expanding Wayne State’s and Michigan’s innovation ecosystem by helping transform promising research discoveries into high-growth companies, strategic partnerships, and societal impact.

Essential Functions

• Technology Assessment, Opportunity Evaluation Commercialization Strategy.
• Evaluate early-stage technologies for technical feasibility, market opportunity, competitive positioning, intellectual property considerations, and commercialization potential.
• Provide strategic recommendations to improve technology transfer decision-making and prioritize opportunities with the greatest likelihood of market success.
• Guide faculty, researchers, and technology commercialization staff through customer discovery, market validation, business model development, and commercialization planning.
• Startup Formation, Venture Development Mentorship.
• Mentor faculty founders, entrepreneurial researchers, students, and startup teams in venture creation and growth.
• Assist with company formation, commercialization roadmaps, business planning, team development, value proposition refinement, investor readiness, and milestone achievement.
• Leverage entrepreneurial experience to accelerate startup development and increase venture success rates.
• Ecosystem Engagement, Investor Connections Resource Integration.
• Connect innovators with investors, mentors, industry partners, service providers, accelerators, incubators, and economic development resources.
• Facilitate introductions that advance commercialization objectives, support strategic partnerships, and expand access to capital and market opportunities.
• Funding Support, Due Diligence Commercialization Programs.
• Assist with the identification, evaluation, and advancement of technologies seeking gap funding, translational research funding, SBIR/STTR support, proof-of-concept funding, and venture investment.
• Participate in technology diligence, proposal reviews, milestone development, and funding recommendations.
• Support commercialization programs and innovation initiatives that advance university technologies toward market readiness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.