Henry W. Patton Entrepreneurship, Practice and Innovation Center

With philanthropic support from the Song Foundation, HP-EPIC now offers a range of opportunities designed to promote student-owned patents, entrepreneurship and startup companies. EPIC’s flagship program is the Intellectual Property Clinic, which guides you through the complex federal patent application process if you have a patentable idea or invention. This hands-on experience prepares you to navigate real-world intellectual property challenges and supports your journey from innovation to commercialization.

Have a patentable idea or invention? We’re here to help you navigate the federal patent application process.

The IP Clinic guides students with patentable ideas and inventions through the complex federal patent application process. 

What makes us different?

1. Active Support: Get answers to your questions, whenever you need them.
2. 1:1 Guidance: Receive personalized direction from our experts.
3. Real-Life Examples: See sample applications and supporting documents.
4. Resource Navigation: We’ll help you find information that’s tough to track down on your own.

Henry W. Patton II (1926-2003) was a long-time friend and supporter of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Two years before his death at age 77 he bequeathed $3.6 million to College of Engineering and Computer Science, the final legacy of a man whose commitment to educating the next generation of engineers included decades of giving generous financial contributions, technical counsel, and professional guidance to UM-Dearborn engineering students, graduates, and faculty.