WSU OPEN
WSU OPEN (Opportunity, Partnership, Engagement, Network) is Wayne State University’s hub to promote and support collaboration, providing businesses, nonprofits and government organizations a direct gateway to the university's extensive resources, expertise and research capabilities. Launched in fall 2024, it offers streamlined service for potential partners, delivering quick, tailored access to advanced research facilities, specialized industry knowledge and workforce development programs designed to meet specific organizational needs.
As Wayne State’s “open for business” sign, WSU OPEN simplifies the ability for businesses, non-community profits and other organizations to work with the university. It enables seamless engagement with university resources to drive cross-sector innovation and entrepreneurship, foster community collaboration, and expand career opportunities for Wayne State students, faculty and staff.
Through WSU OPEN, partners can:
- Hire students
- License technology
- Leverage university expertise or specialized services
- Co-develop research and development (R&D) efforts
- Locate on campus
- More
Key features of WSU OPEN
Concierge Service: A single-entry point for all partnership inquiries, with a guaranteed response within 24 business hours.
Comprehensive Access: Easy connection to WSU’s research labs, academic expertise and student talent across various disciplines.
Flexible Partnership Models: Support for a wide range of partnerships, from sponsored research and collaborative innovation projects to student internships, co-ops and career pipelines.
WSU OPEN is an initiative that advances Wayne State’s Prosperity Agenda, aiming to enhance Michigan's competitiveness in the 21st-century economy. Supported by the university's Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and partnering with TechTown Detroit and linking to members of our university community across campus, WSU OPEN is dedicated to driving innovative solutions to urban challenges while building a stronger, more resilient local economy. Learn more about WSU OPEN.
WSU OPEN in action
Partnership with Michigan Central
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Michigan Central, WSU OPEN is pioneering a unique college-to-career pathway and supporting learning by doing experiences for students. Together, these organizations are:
- Identifying 29 areas of potential collaboration to enhance regional competitiveness
- Building talent pipelines to support mobility tech fields
- Developing the Michigan Mobility Fellows Program, embedding WSU expertise within Michigan Central’s skills team
- Establishing inclusive education pathways from pre-K through post-secondary levels, focusing on mobility, engineering and technology
- Advocating for policy reforms and funding enhancements to support Detroit’s innovation economy
Through this partnership, WSU OPEN and Michigan Central aim to:
- Enhance curricula with industry insights through the James and Patricia Anderson Ventures Institute and the Belinsky Entrepreneurship Learning Lab.
- Provide startups with free advisory services from graduate student-led consulting teams based at Newlab.
- Promote economic growth by expanding upskilling and certification programs for all workforce levels, supporting collaborative faculty research and industry workshops, and submitting joint grant applications to fund transformative projects.