Washington Research Foundation

WRF supports scientific research and early-stage companies in Washington. It provides funding and licensing pathways to commercialize university inventions and supports research acceleration. The organization focuses on life sciences, physical sciences and information sciences, leveraging the Bayh-Dole Act to enable technology transfer and commercialization. It uses three primary mechanisms—grantmaking, licensing, and investment via WRF Capital—to build Washington's innovation ecosystem. Since 1996, WRF Capital has backed more than 130 local startups, reinvesting returns to fund further research and ventures.