WiSys Technology Foundation was established in 2000 as a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. Since its founding, WiSys has worked with the campuses it serves in assessing over 550 discoveries, securing 80 patents, completing more than 45 deals and supporting 16 startup companies. Today, its companies are producing non-invasive devices for cancer detection and accessible rehabilitation, next generation materials for the automotive, solar and electronic industries as well as microbial systems for production of specialty chemicals and biofuels.

In 2014, WiSys became an independent 501(c)(3) supporting organization of the UW System. Under this nonprofit, charitable organization status the company underwent several changes in leadership and organization, including new Executive Director Arjun Sanga, Associate Director Jennifer Cook and two flagship outreach programs.

Sanga attributes FY14/15's success, with a record-breaking 56 invention disclosures, to this increased focus on building connections between WiSys and its partner institutions. The Regional Associate and Ambassador Program have brought WiSys closer with the communities it serves within the UW System by having student or staff representatives on each campus. WiSys has also worked to further diversify its team of employees by building a team of student interns.