Startups grow here.

The Desai Accelerator is where visionary University of Michigan alumni transform into the next generation of tech leaders.

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Alumni Residencies

Launch your legacy with the unparalleled intellectual capital of the University of Michigan ecosystem and catapult your early-stage venture into a market leader.

2026 Cohort Information
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Student Internships

Experience the intensity and innovation of startup culture. This isn't just an internship—it's an accelerated education in entrepreneurship.

Become a Desai Intern

The Desai Accelerator seeks exceptional founders who embody the Michigan spirit: ambitious vision, analytical rigor, and collaborative excellence.

We're looking for early-stage ventures ready for exponential growth.

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What you can expect:

  • $25,000 investment + hundreds of thousands in resources per startup

  • 10 U-M student interns who deliver 60-80 high-impact projects during the cohort.

  • The largest living alumni network in the world—630,000+ professionals across industries, providing mentorship, partnerships, and market access.

  • A systematic approach to venture creation that combines Silicon Valley best practices with Michigan academic rigor.

    • Market validation through academic research methodologies

    • Initial funding deployment and strategic planning

    • Weekly mentorship with serial entrepreneurs and ecosystem innovators

    • Access to Michigan's research facilities and labs

    • Partnership with student project teams for rapid development

Ventures in our portfolio include:

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Personalized swim workout app

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AI literature review for in vivo study design

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Publish content and get recommended by AI search

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AI smart copy and studio visuals for merchandisers

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  • Managing Director

    Angela is responsible for the execution and development of Desai’s business acceleration program, including mentoring and counseling startups and selecting and managing investments. She works closely with the region’s business communities for the benefit of not only the participating startups but also the broader entrepreneurial landscape. Her areas of expertise include storytelling, design thinking, human-centered design, customer discovery, strategic planning, creative leadership, and innovation narratives. Angela earned the Foundations in Creative Leadership, Leading for Creativity, Cultivating Creative Collaboration and Storytelling for Influence certifications from IDEO and previously held the Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management Analyst certifications. Angela earned a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Design Methods (now Master of Science in Strategic Design Leadership) from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology.

  • Program Manager

    Katia Kassof supports the execution and development of the Desai Accelerator program, including managing the elite student internship program. She serves as project manager for work submitted by participant startups that is executed by internal and external multidisciplinary teams. Prior to joining Desai, Katia worked as a Program Coordinator at the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies where she managed the Dare to Dream Grant program for student startups and coordinated additional student programs that fostered innovation and entrepreneurship. Katia earned an MBA from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Michigan State University, with minors in Bioethics and Health Promotion.

  • Entrepreneur-in-Residence

    Satish Malnaik is a technology and venture creation enthusiast driven by a passion for innovation. He is CEO and co-founder of NextServices, leading a global team delivering a cloud health technology platform and knowledge-based revenue cycle services. Satish is also a co-founder at Fantelope, a collaboration marketplace for personalities, designers and charities.

  • Entrepreneur-In-Residence

    Danny Ellis is a two-time University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering graduate who co-founded SkySpecs in 2012 and served as CEO until early 2025. Under Danny's leadership, SkySpecs revolutionized wind turbine blade inspection by utilizing custom-built autonomous drones and data management platform to prioritize predictive maintenance. Danny led fundraising efforts, raising mover than $120m in venture capital and private equity and brought together three European acquisitions to create the market leader in wind farm asset management. Danny is an Endeavor Entrepreneur (2017) and Techstars alum (2015).

    Today, Danny advises emerging tech ventures with a focus on renewable energy, robotics, automation, and data analytics. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and three daughters.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will applications for the 2026 cohort open?

We will open applications for the 2026 Alumni Residency and Student Internships in December 2025.

Why should I chose the Desai Accelerator?

We believe the greatest innovations emerge when analytical thinking meets entrepreneurial courage. Our approach combines the methodical precision of academic research with the rapid iteration of startup culture, creating an environment where breakthrough technologies and business models can flourish.

Our Three Pillars of Excellence:

  • Intellectual Capital: Access to cutting-edge research, faculty expertise, and academic resources that fuel innovation

  • Network Amplification: Tap into Michigan's 630,000+ alumni across every industry and continent

  • Systematic Growth: Our data-driven methodology combines academic rigor with startup agility

What are the eligibility requirements?

To qualify for the Desai Accelerator, your venture must meet these criteria:

  • Founded or co-founded by at least one University of Michigan-Ann Arbor alumnus

  • Early-stage tech-enabled startup with validated concept

  • Scalable business model with significant market opportunity

  • Full-time team commitment to the program for its entire duration

Where can I find more information?

We’re on it, we promise. We’re in the process of retooling this website and creating AI tools for you to explore. Please check back on December 1, 2025. In the meantime, you can send questions our way using the contact form below.

Let’s Stay in Touch

Where Vision Becomes Venture

Our portfolio companies represent the cutting edge of innovation, spanning industries from consumer technology to biotech breakthroughs. Each venture demonstrates the power of combining Michigan intellectual capital with entrepreneurial execution.

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