Richmond, Va. – October 07, 2026 -- James Madison University has become Virginia's first R2 research university to join the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation's Lab-to-Launch initiative, extending a statewide technology-transfer program beyond its original six R1 universities. JMU President Jim Schmidt and VIPC President and CEO Joe Benevento signed a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding in Richmond on October 6.
JMU gains access to Virginia's first standardized Fast-Track License
Through Lab-to-Launch, JMU can now use Virginia's first-ever Fast-Track License, a standardized agreement designed to cut the cost and time required for inventors to license university-held intellectual property and spin out startups. The license is backed by VIPC's new Lab-to-Launch grant program.
VIPC will place Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at JMU to link researchers with industry
VIPC will support new Entrepreneurs-in-Residence positions at JMU to connect university researchers and scientists with entrepreneurial talent and industry expertise. The two organizations will also jointly pursue partnerships with corporate backers, investor networks, and public-private funding sources.
Program expands a network covering $2.5 billion in annual research spending
Lab-to-Launch launched in 2025 as a coordinated collaboration between VIPC and Virginia's six R1 institutions -- University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, and William & Mary. Virginia's research universities collectively generate more than $2.5 billion in annual research and development, a pool of activity VIPC aims to channel into commercial startups and licensing deals.
Anthony Tongen, JMU's Vice President of the Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, said the partnership would help move more discoveries from campus labs into the marketplace while creating investment and economic growth opportunities across the Shenandoah Valley.