About Venture Investment
Dedicated to serving the common good in uncommon ways, our investments bring real solutions to many of today's challenges. Our venture investment entities, Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise, focus on technologies and companies arising from Michigan State University's extraordinary faculty, researchers, and students as well as the Michigan ecosystem.
From life sciences to precision agriculture, our companies strive to make the world better. Our portfolio investments include agriculture, mobility, energy, life sciences, materials, as well as advanced manufacturing, and SAS.
Our team aspires to invest in breakthrough technologies. Through local investment, we bring economic value—not only to the Greater Lansing Area's community but also to Michigan's economy. Through our investments, we attract, cultivate, and retain excellence.
Our investments are inspired by the thinkers, innovators, and doers at MSU and beyond—the faculty, researchers, and student entrepreneurs ready to bring their technologies and companies to market.
Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund provides early-stage funding, seed investment, and gap funding opportunities to technology startups to help commercialize innovative technologies. Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is made possible by the Michigan State University Foundation and Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Companies
3D Foundri
3DFoundri, Inc. is an East Lansing, Michigan, startup dedicated to developing advanced metal manufacturing technologies that will enable cost reductions and increase part complexities.
Zakuro
Zakuro's solid-state separator technology enables batteries with a lithium metal anode, dramatically increasing energy density over that of lithium-ion.
CiBO
CIBO Impact was created to scale regenerative agriculture with a voluntary carbon marketplace. Individuals and companies can meet and exceed their climate and carbon goals. With CIBO, you can reduce your carbon footprint while helping US farmers.
PhenoLogic
PhenoLogic provides a smart infrastructure for plant and crop producers to effortlessly apply the perfect amount of fertilizer and water.
Motion Grazer
Motion Grazer AI (aka SIM) seeks to provide the swine industry with an automated and quantifiable indicator of sow reproductive potential, body condition, and locomotion - improving farm efficiency and animal Health, welfare, and productivity.
Lawnbot
Home service companies of all sizes —from startups to enterprise—use Lawnbot's software to give instant proposals, make online sales, and grow their businesses online.
Jolt Energy
Jolt Energy develops and engineers industry-changing, sustainable energy-storage technologies.
Ubiquitous Energy
Born from research at MIT and Michigan State University, Ubiquitous Energy sought new ways to reduce humanity’s carbon footprint and founded the company on the principle of seamlessly integrating solar technology into everyday products and surfaces. This commitment resulted in our core technology: a transparent solar coating that integrates into standard windows, with endless possibilities for future applications.
Black Pine Engineering
Black Pine Engineering is proud to introduce a new generation of air compression technology. Groundbreaking IP in multiple categories, along with years of refinement have culminated in the MaxAxial modular turbo-compressor.
Phenometrics
Phenometrics' tools help you grow more productive strains of microalgae faster, healthier, and more sustainably.
Switched Source
Switched Source helps distribution system operators better utilize legacy grid infrastructure by providing power-electronics that increase reliability and efficiency, as well as increasing the system’s capacity for hosting renewable and distributed energy resources.
Indapta
Indapta Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing a proprietary, first-in-class, off-the-shelf, non-engineered, allogeneic G-NK (FcRγ-deficient Natural Killer) cell therapy to treat multiple cancers.
TheraB
TheraB Medical started as a student engineering project at Michigan State University, where three engineering students were asked to find an improved treatment for infant jaundice in developing countries. Little did we know that this school project would lead to a future product that would modernize the way families experience jaundice treatment worldwide! We are proud to be a Michigan founded company with a focus on global health.
Avidhrt
The Avidhrt Sense is a mobile, clinical-quality electrocardiogram (ECG), pulse oximeter (SpO2), and infrared temperature sensor. The software application can store thousands of recordings on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to maintain a history that can be shared at any time if needed.
Digitouch
Digitouch Health helps you take control of your cardiovascular health so you can team up your care providers to help you live and enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Fibrosix
FibrosIX is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology startup, founded in 2016. It is developing proprietary first-in-class small-molecule therapeutics that inhibit fibrotic disease. These drugs modulate a critical signaling pathway that plays a central role in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease.
Genomenon
Genomenon is a genomic health IT company that keeps pace with the constant advancements made in genomics and connects that research to patient DNA to help diagnose and treat patients with rare genetic diseases and cancer.
HealthOpX
HealthOpX is a software company dedicated to making it easier for ESL patients, refugees, and underserved communities to access complete healthcare services.
Iaso
Iaso Therapeutics is dedicated to developing next generation vaccines to enhance human health and treat diseases.
SteriDev
SteriDev empowers safe, efficient, and gratifying delivery of healthcare. We achieve this goal through direct interactions with healthcare stakeholders to identify opportunities and innovate solutions. SteriDev is excited to introduce the CleanCase sterile mobile device cover, the first device-specific, fully FDA-compliant product on the market that allows surgeons to safely bring mobile devices into the surgical field.
VADE Nutrition
Dissolvable PROTEIN SCOOPS (patent pending) was born through the need to solve the real-life struggles while taking protein: messy scooping, large protein tubs and the excess environmental waste caused by the current overpriced ready to drink market.
Asalyxa Bio
Asalyxa Bio is a platform company committed to the targeting of neutrophils to fight hard to treat diseases
Diet ID
Diet ID is a digital toolkit that reinvents dietary assessment and management with an innovative, clinically tested visual approach to optimizing health. Save time, effort, and cost while generating a personalized route to wellness — in just minutes.
Espervita Therapeutics
Espervita Therapeutics is focused on the discovery of metabolic reprogramming therapies for the treatment of cancers in areas with significant unmet medical need, with promising preclinical evidence for the treatment of liver cancer.
Ripple Science
Ripple’s seamless, centralized system makes it easy to find, track, manage, and connect with your research participants at every stage in their journey. Starting with custom Screening Forms and Patient Profiles that enable target recruitment and retention, your team effortlessly builds your own local Registry for future studies. Data-driven and expertly designed, Ripple enhances communication and empowers collaboration within and across studies, delivering a better experience for patients, for research teams, and for you.
TheraB Medical
TheraB Medical is the creator of SnugLit- the first completely wearable and portable treatment for infant jaundice
The Patient Company
The Patient Company has perfected the lateral patient transfer process through the development and production of SimPull™ the first fully automated lateral patient transfer device.
Airway Innovations
Airway Innovations designs and develops advanced airway management solutions, including TubeTrac™, the Oral Tracheal tube holder designed to prevent unplanned extubations.
Alerje
Alerje uses proactive patient design to improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care in the food allergy industry.
Arborsense
Arborsense is commercializing its patented graphene-based sensor technology for rapid and sensitive monitoring of biochemical markers. Graphene is a one-atom thick carbon nanomaterial with remarkable electronic and mechanical properties. Its high conductivity and flexible structure provide an ideal platform to monitor clinically relevant chemicals transpiring through the skin.
Archimedes
The CDC's handwashing recommendations must be updated to properly fight a pandemic – HALO will safely inactivate germs on your hands in seconds without water, chemicals, or waste; just light.
Esperovax
Esperovax looks to become the global leader in oral tablet/capsule vaccinations for some of the world's deadliest treatable diseases by leveraging its new oral vaccine platform.
Photosynq
PhotosynQ, developed in David Kramer’s Lab at Michigan State University, is the next global game-changer in environmental science and incorporates a hand-held device with an online platform. The PhotosynQ system allows for intensive data collection thereby facilitating a greater understanding of how the natural world functions in its innumerable complexities.
Scion Plasma
Scion Plasma LLC is a startup company spun out from Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, Michigan. Scion Plasma partners with leading institutes and vacuum companies to provide advanced plasma sources and plasma modeling software for materials processing.
SCOPS Coating Technologies
SCOPS has a family of environmentally friendly, long-lasting, and inexpensive omni phobic coatings and additives. SCPS' coatings create a low friction surface allowing both water and oil-based liquids to cleanly and quickly glide over most surfaces. They are self-cleaning, optically clear, and graffiti resistant. The products can easily be formulated for many different product criteria and be applied to most materials.
York Project
York Project's goal is to empower our community by creating a sustainable fashion brand and manufacturing our products in Detroit. York Project strives to deliver high-quality products, timeless designs, and a lasting impact.
LUCYPOP
LUCYPOP is an advanced material science startup focused on nail care wellness.
Building Catalyst
Building Catalyst is an SaaS platform that more accurately predicts and guides construction outcomes at a fraction of the effort compared to current practices.
ARUtility
ARUtility is an augmented reality utility locating asset management and BIM visualization tool that increases safety and efficiency and reduces damages to underground assets for the AEC industry.
Skoop
SKOOP Signage is the industries most powerful digital billboard management and ad sales software. SKOOP specializes in mobility advertising. SKOOP’s electric bike taxi fleets move passengers from point A to B. Each vehicle has digital advertising displays attached to the exterior and interior. SKOOP’s screens are always on the move, displaying advertising content around town and subsidizing the cost of the ride for the passenger.
Lingco
Lingco Classroom provides the tools for instructors to elevate the language learning experience.
Our platform uses adaptive technology to help every student reach fluency.
AgileCare Solutions
AgileCare Solutions optimizes the matching of in-home caregivers with clients of private-duty healthcare companies. Offering an easy-to-use, map-based software, AgileCare makes scheduling efficient while ensuring both client and caregiver connect in positive, meaningful ways.
BetterYou
BetterYou is a digital coach that allows individuals to maximize their time and stay focused on goals that matter. BetterBot, BetterYou’s Artificial Intelligence, helps you achieve your goals by encouraging you to spend your time on the things that matter most (physical health, mindfulness, social connections, and education).
BitLyft
BitLyft is a community of cybersecurity advocates who are passionate about creating a safer cyber landscape and to illuminate and eliminate cyber threats for a safer world. BitLyft's team consists of expert-level security analysts, developers, strategists, and innovators.
Dynamo
Dynamo Metrics was born out of the premise that better data drives better decision making. Since 2005, we’ve been working with local governments to deliver helpful metrics, insights, and reports that help demonstrate impact, increase collaboration, and support strategic decision making.
Pairaphrase
Pairaphrase brings professional translation technologies to business users. Pairaphrase's web-based translation management system (TMS) for enterprises will improve your organization’s human translation process. Whoever translates for your organization will now spend less time translating and more time being productive, all while protecting your company’s data.
My Sidekick
MySideKick powered by Every Two Minutes is a comprehensive web-based application that addresses all the issues of sexual violence, with a mobile interface made for college students – speaking directly to digital natives in their own language. MySideKick is designed for all college students, IRL and online, with specific capabilities for Greek life.
SU(2) Systems
Orion Trading Systems is changing the way brokers, educators and traders acquire and use trading software. Orion Trading Systems' platform can trade any asset and be connected to any broker, market data feed, or analytics API to create a truly customized offering.
TREEBORN
TREEBORN began with the purpose of preparing the best product for the best beers. Three gold medal beers later, TREEBORN's motto: "Chestnuts really do make beer taste better."
Will Winn Games
Will Winn Games Inc. is a new East Lansing-based game studio launched out of the Michigan State University Game Development Program, Spartan Innovations, and Red Cedar Ventures. The mission of the company is to design, develop, and market compelling multiplayer video game experiences.
86 Repairs
86 Repairs is your partner in repair and maintenance management. 86 Repairs operate as an extension of your team to help you take control of your facilities when teams and budgets are leaner than ever.
AaDya
All-in-one cybersecurity for small and midsize businesses.
Pocketnest
Pocketnest, made by and for millennials and Gen Xers, brings you rich data and insights to reach younger audiences more efficiently, serve more people, identify more cross-sell opportunities, and promote holistic financial wellness.
Rivet
Rivet (Rivet Work Inc.) is a Detroit-based startup founded in 2020 working on the digital tools that connect people, work and skills.
SightLine
SightLine is a group of data scientists and higher education professionals who partner with colleges and universities. SightLine uses predictive analytics to introduce strategies that have measurable impact on student success outcomes.
Golfler
Golfler is an application that routes food and beverage orders from a mobile device to a course clubhouse. Golfers can pre-order food and beverage to be ready at the turn or have items delivered on demand anywhere on the course.
Prndl
Prndl helps users find their parking spaces ahead of time, taking the headache out of excursion. By letting users rent out their own, unused, private spots, anyone can earn money from parking with this new app.
Uru Sports
Uru Sports creates a sport specific universal platform to help navigate the global sporting world and for players and coaches to connect.
GridPane
GridPane is the world's first hosting control panel built exclusively for serious WordPress professionals. With a fully automated dashboard and server stack, GridPane delivers all the bells and whistles of managed WordPress hosting at a fraction of the cost. Build servers in minutes and sites in seconds, all of them fast, secure and ruthlessly efficient.
StarForged Studios
StarForged Studios is a game company that specializes in combining multiple styles of play to create unique, yet familiar experiences.
MenuBubble
MenuBubble is a healthy meal delivery service focusing on accessibility and convenience. MenuBubble offers chilled, macro-balanced meals palatable to everyone, including individuals with dietary restrictions.
FirstIgnite
FirstIgnite has built AI-powered business development tools that help the trillions of dollars worth of uncommercialized research and intellectual property get to market.
Great Lakes Crystal Technology
Great Lakes Crystal Technologies (GLCT) has a mission to create a cost-effective source of high-performance diamond materials for advanced (non-gemstone) applications.
GreenMark Biomedical
GreenMark Biomedical Inc. is a Michigan-based, minimally invasive healthcare company founded in 2016 by Dr. Steven Bloembergen to pursue dental and medical applications based on a proven starch nanoparticle platform technology.
Niowave
Niowave is a world-wide leader in research, development, manufacturing and operation of superconducting electron linear accelerators which are used for medical radioisotope production.