Advocates for Innovation

Washington Research Foundation and WRF Capital support groundbreaking research and early-stage companies, with a focus on life sciences and enabling technologies.

We take pride in our team's strategic and collaborative approach, and are uniquely suited to excel at:

• Fueling the engine of innovation. WRF focuses on identifying outstanding researchers, constructing state-of-the-art facilities and supporting promising students.
• Bridging the commercialization gap. Through our commercialization gap funding and other programs, WRF helps to bridge the gap between innovative idea and marketable product.
• Launching Washington businesses. Our venture fund, WRF Capital, specializes in spinouts from Washington nonprofit research institutions. We offer the knowledge, connections and funding that young companies need to succeed.

We support a cycle of prosperity. When WRF opened its doors in 1981, our founders Tom Cable, Hunter Simpson and Bill Gates, Sr. had an ambitious vision. They wanted to support research and scholarship in Washington by capturing and enhancing the value of intellectual property created in our state’s research institutions. As an independent foundation, WRF has the autonomy to invest in big ideas over the long term.

We are industry leaders. WRF is one of the foremost technology transfer organizations in the nation. WRF and WRF Capital are among the leading grant makers and investors in the Pacific Northwest. We help to create a vibrant research and enterprise community. Our partners' successes result in products and services that provide public benefit.