Empowered Startups’ Network of US Universities Expanding Rapidly
As entrepreneurs around the world search for the partners and resources necessary for advancing the state-of-the-art in various…

As entrepreneurs around the world search for the partners and resources necessary for advancing the state-of-the-art in various fields, leading American universities are welcoming such collaboration to produce pioneering research through a mutually beneficial model.
Empowering Innovative Research
Empowered Startups’ novel program to facilitate innovative R&D projects has been extremely well-received by a wide array of top-tier US research universities, with some institutions already partnering with transnational entrepreneurs on groundbreaking research. The University of Washington (UW), Western Washington University (WWU), and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) are among the universities that have launched research projects through the program, which has drawn praise from the academic professionals involved in these endeavours.

“Collaborating with Empowered Startups has provided a valuable opportunity to develop innovative financial solutions for the agricultural sector,” expressed Dr. Shamik Sengupta, who in addition to being the Executive Director of UNR’s Cybersecurity Center is a Professor in UNR’s Computer Science & Engineering Department.
“Our work on the Agricultural Finance Technology Platform leverages cutting-edge AI and security technologies to improve access to capital for farmers and agribusinesses. This partnership exemplifies the University of Nevada, Reno’s commitment to pioneering research with real-world impact.”
Emphatic Endorsements
Sengupta’s sentiments are shared by colleague Abdel-Moez E. Bayoumi, a Professor and Associate Dean at the University of South Carolina’s Molinaroli College of Computing and Engineering.
“Partnering with Empowered Startups has empowered us to accelerate innovation in predictive infrastructure monitoring. By integrating IoT, AI, machine learning, sensing, digital twin/thread and advanced analytics, our research is driving proactive solutions that enhance public safety, optimize maintenance & repair procedures, and improve infrastructure resilience,” explained Bayoumi.
“This collaboration underscores the Center for Predictive Maintenance at the University of South Carolina’s commitment to cutting-edge research that directly addresses national infrastructure challenges. Our focus on predictive analytics and digital transformation ensures we remain at the forefront of technological advancement, reshaping how infrastructure is monitored and managed for the future.”

Interest from Coast to Coast
More than 30 reputable universities across the United States are already working on projects or have expressed interest in partnering on innovative research with transnational entrepreneurs who have been assessed and approved by Empowered Startups. Institutions like Washington State University, Virginia Tech University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan have recognized the tremendous benefits and opportunities the program offers and are already working on startup research projects that benefit society at large.
James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington’s Center for Economic and Business Research, has seen the positive effects of these cooperative ventures first-hand and is a proponent of using Empowered’s program as a catalyst for finding solutions to practical challenges.
“Collaborating with Empowered Startups has allowed us to bridge cutting-edge research with real-world applications, from secure mobile payments to improving supply chain transparency. This partnership highlights how universities and startups can drive meaningful innovation with lasting impact,” declared McCafferty.
Trusted Partners
Backed by the US Department of Commerce, Empowered Startup’s EB-2 NIW Program is receiving widespread support at the federal, state, and municipal levels. For entrepreneurs seeking first-class facilities, abundant resources, and highly skilled researchers to collaborate with, Empowered’s network of American research universities checks every box.
“When you are investing your resources into a collaborative research project, you want some assurance that you’re going to be working with a quality partner,” stated Shawn Olson, VP of Business Development for Empowered Startups. “The partnerships we’ve formed with top-tier research universities in the United States provide our entrepreneurs with tangible evidence of the outstanding support they receive in our EB-2 NIW Program. The fact that a growing number of universities have expressed interest in joining our network to engage in future research opportunities speaks to the exceptional nature of the people and innovative projects that we are delivering to these prominent US institutions.”
Learn more about the EB-2 NIW Startup R&D Program