ANN ARBOR — Jack Miner, an entrepreneur, venture creation expert, and economic development specialist, has been named director of the Venture Center at University of Michigan Tech Transfer.
The Venture Center works with U-M inventors and the entrepreneurial community on promising startup concepts based on U-M technology. It provides a core staff of startup experts, including a team of seasoned entrepreneurs called Mentors-in-Residence, and a comprehensive set of funding, talent, and connection resources.
Prior to his role at U-M, Miner worked at TechTown in Detroit and was managing director of a Battle Creek business accelerator, Battle Creek Unlimited. Before that, he worked for seven venture-backed software companies as well as Fortune 100 information technology organizations Computer Associates and Amdahl.
“We are all proud that our U-M Venture Center has earned a reputation for excellence for helping to launch dynamic new startups based on U-M technologies,” said Ken Nisbet, executive director of U-M Tech Transfer. “We’re confident that Jack will provide the leadership to extend our effectiveness, to better serve our researchers, our entrepreneurs, our venture partners, and our state.”
The goal of the Venture Center is to launch strong startup ventures and move them quickly to the marketplace, Miner said. He said he hopes to expand the center’s resources and effectiveness and to extend our entrepreneurial collaborations across campus and throughout the state.
Miner, of West Bloomfield, has worked as a startup specialist within U-M Tech Transfer since 2011, helping to form new ventures based on physical sciences intellectual property. He coordinated the development, formation, and funding of more than six startup companies launched within the last year while managing a portfolio of more than 20 other startup projects.
He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from U-M and a master’s in management from Northwestern University.
