Tech firm partnering on U-M innovation program

Tech firm partnering on U-M innovation program

The iPad table by Universal Mind is a platform for device-to-device communication. Courtesy Universal Mind

A local digital consulting firm is partnering on an organizational innovation program certified by the University of Michigan.

Grand Rapids-based Universal Mind said last week it is working with Innovatrium as a Certified Professional Innovator, or CPI, program partner.

The CPI program certified by the University of Michigan. The company will work U-M Ross School of Business Professor Jeff DeGraff.

The CPI program helps develop innovation leaders at any organizational level by helping to embed a innovative mindset. It’s meant to help employers find and assess high-potential innovators within their organizations, while developing an innovation strategy.

“Universal Mind has found a true partner in the University of Michigan and with Dr. DeGraff,” Universal Mind President and CEO Brett Cortese said. “Creative and critical thinking are two core approaches to all that we do. This partnership will reinforce both organizations’ abilities to provide world-class innovative training and offerings around experience and experimentation, solution development and selection.”

DeGraff has worked with companies such as American Airlines, Coca Cola and Microsoft and works through 14 videos and on-the-ground training.

“The partnership with Universal Mind promises to be an exciting one,” DeGraff said. “With their reputation and background as technology innovators, the CPI program can only continue to flourish with their involvement. Creativity drives innovation, and Universal Mind has proven themselves to be a very creative organization.”

Universal Mind

Founded in 2003, Universal Mind has more than 100 employees in four offices in the U.S. and Canada that enhance “human experiences” and solve problems through technology.