Latest News
Smart Justice Leaders Dive into How California Can Best Support Incarcerated Students
How Higher Education Transformed the Director of UC Berkeley Underground Scholars’ Life, Who Is Now Transforming the Lives of Hundreds of Justice-Impacted Scholars
The Michelson 20MM Foundation, California Community Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation Bring Philanthropy Together to Launch Digital Equity Pooled Fund
Latest Events
Spotlight Initiative:
Openstax Free Textbooks
OpenStax provides free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks for introductory college and Advanced Placement® courses and low-cost, personalized courseware that helps students learn.
The nonprofit ed tech initiative is a Michelson 20MM grantee based at Rice University and is committed to helping students access the tools they need to complete their courses and meet their educational goals.
Over 3.5 million students have used an Openstax textbook, that’s more than $342 million saved! Visit openstax.org to learn more.
Our Vision:
Improving Access to Higher Learning
Founded by Dr. Gary K. Michelson, Michelson 20MM is positioned at the cutting edge of innovation in education. We are dedicated to supporting and investing in entrepreneurs, technologies, and higher learning initiatives that seek to transform lives. We are at the frontline of ensuring educational opportunities, and thus meaningful careers, are accessible for all.
Featured Initiatives in Education Innovation
MICHELSON RUNWAY EDTECH ACCELERATOR
The Michelson Runway EdTech Accelerator invests in companies working on higher learning technologies: programs, products, and/or services that improve equity, access, and efficacy in postsecondary education and career readiness.
MICHELSON INSTITUTE FOR IP
The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property addresses critical gaps in the world of intellectual property (IP) education, to empower the next generation of inventors and creators.
Our Reach:
Supporting Educators & Access through Strategic Partnerships
We support organizations that get students into college, help them stay enrolled until they graduate, and help them re-enroll if they’ve dropped out. This helps students succeed as workers and entrepreneurs, leading to a better quality of life and helping the economy by supplying skilled workers to meet the projected increase in demand for tech workers.
Accelerator
Michelson Runway is the world’s first social impact accelerator dedicated to supporting innovations in higher education and career training.
Focus Areas
We make targeted investments in three focus areas: Access and Success, Learning Technologies, and Workforce Development.
Portfolio
Get insights and information about our overall approach to investments and the companies we’re working with to achieve our vision.
About Our Founder
Dr. Gary K. Michelson is an orthopedic and spinal surgeon, inventor, and philanthropist.
Dr. Michelson is the sole named inventor of more than 990 patents for medical devices and procedures worldwide. His three private foundations support medical research, animal welfare, and education.
Through Michelson 20MM, Dr. Michelson supports initiatives that make postsecondary education more accessible, affordable, and effective, such as providing access to high quality downloadable digital textbooks. He is also a strong advocate for Smart Justice reform efforts that expand quality to postsecondary education for currently and formerly incarcerated people.
Interested in partnering or collaborating with Michelson 20MM? Get in touch with us today!