Red Cedar Ventures
Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture fund and subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation that invests equity into Michigan-based early-stage startups, sourcing deals primarily through its Conquer Accelerator cohorts and the PitchMI competition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersEast Lansing, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Red Cedar Ventures does
Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture fund and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Michigan State University (MSU) Research Foundation. The fund provides pre-seed and seed equity investments to early-stage startups headquartered in Michigan, with a standard investment of $20,000 per company participating in the Conquer Accelerator program. Operating alongside its sister fund Michigan Rise (a pre-seed fund operated in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation), Red Cedar Ventures sits within a broader innovation platform that includes accelerator programming, sector-specific cohorts (FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, mobility, advanced manufacturing, AI/software), incubator facilities across three Michigan cities (East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit), and a statewide network of more than 60 partner organizations.
The fund's go-to-market is event-driven and community-led. Deal flow is sourced primarily through Conquer Accelerator cohorts and the PitchMI startup competition, which awards $250,000 in regional semifinal prizes and a $1 million championship investment. Founders enter the pipeline by applying to accelerator cohorts or by competing in PitchMI regional semifinals, after which the MSU Research Foundation's venture team conducts investment due diligence. Red Cedar Ventures does not develop proprietary technology; it is an investment vehicle. Lifetime program data through 2025 indicates an 88% company survival rate among Conquer Accelerator alumni, 35x leverage on outside capital raised relative to initial accelerator investment, 8 successful exits/acquisitions, and 42% of alumni receiving follow-on funding. Capital for investments originates from the MSU Research Foundation and related LP relationships; management fees, carry structures, and fund-level AUM are not publicly disclosed, and the MSU Research Foundation announced in June 2026 a planned investment in a new headquarters facility (Rosenberg Center) targeted to open in 2027.
Red Cedar Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Red Cedar Ventures
- Legal name
- Michigan State University Research Foundation
- Website
- https://msufoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture fund and subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation that invests equity into Michigan-based early-stage startups, sourcing deals primarily through its Conquer Accelerator cohorts and the PitchMI competition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Red Cedar Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital and Startup Investment
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed) (FSANAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
Keywords
Where Red Cedar Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- East Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Red Cedar Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Venture Capital Returns: Red Cedar Ventures invests capital (pre-seed and seed stages) into early-stage startups in exchange for equity. Returns are generated through exits (acquisitions, IPOs) or follow-on funding rounds. The fund's capital originates from the MSU Research Foundation and related LP relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Conquer Accelerator Investment — $20,000 per accepted startup |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Red Cedar Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund that invests equity capital in Michigan-based early-stage startups developing high-tech, high-growth solutions. Investments are deployed primarily through the Conquer Accelerator program ($20,000 per accepted startup) and the PitchMI competition (up to $1 million championship investment), with additional direct rounds across pre-seed and seed stages. The fund operates as part of the MSU Research Foundation's broader innovation ecosystem that includes accelerator programming, incubator facilities, mentorship, and startup services.
Product overview
Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture fund and wholly owned subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation that provides pre-seed and seed funding to Michigan startups. It operates alongside Michigan Rise (pre-seed fund) and is part of a portfolio of 262 companies managed by the MSU Research Foundation. The fund makes $20,000 investments through the Conquer Accelerator program and continues supporting portfolio companies with additional investment opportunities and mentorship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conquer Accelerator Sector-specific accelerator program that supports high-tech, high-growth Michigan startups. Accepted teams receive a $20,000 milestone-based investment from Red Cedar Ventures plus mentorship, workspace, and structured programming. Cohorts run in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Detroit, with sector tracks in FinTech (powered by MSUFCU), HealthTech (powered by Henry Ford Health), and EdTech (powered by Michigan Virtual). Over 100 startups have graduated since launch.
- PitchMI Startup Competition Statewide startup competition for Michigan early-stage startups that awards $250,000 regional semifinal prizes and a $1 million championship investment. Regional tracks include Defense & Aerospace, AI & Software, Advanced Manufacturing, and Healthcare & Life Sciences. PitchMI is a primary pipeline for Red Cedar Ventures investments.
- Red Cedar Ventures Direct Investment Pre-seed and seed-stage equity investments into Michigan startups, made directly through Red Cedar Ventures and the sister fund Michigan Rise. The fund participates across multiple funding rounds, supporting portfolio companies over time with follow-on capital, and serves as the most active early-stage investor in Michigan with a 262-company portfolio.
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% survival rate for Conquer Accelerator alumni companies
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Red Cedar Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Red Cedar Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Red Cedar Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Innovation AllianceflagshipA first-of-its-kind statewide effort launched by more than 60 Michigan organizations, including the MSU Research Foundation. The Innovation Alliance aligns strategy, strengthens capital connections, and helps more companies start, scale, and stay in Michigan. The long-term goal is to position Michigan as a Top 10 U.S. innovation economy.
- Michigan VirtualcoreMichigan Virtual partnered with the MSU Research Foundation to launch the Conquer EdTech Accelerator in Fall 2025. The 10-week program supports early-stage EdTech startups developing K-12, secondary, and workforce development technologies, combining Michigan Virtual's education expertise with the Foundation's venture support infrastructure.
- MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)coreMSUFCU powers the Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator (East Lansing cohort), supporting fintech and insurance technology startups. MSUFCU provides workspace at its community space alongside the MSU Research Foundation's offices and contributes industry expertise and mentorship to participating startups.
- Henry Ford HealthcoreHenry Ford Health partners with the MSU Research Foundation on the Conquer Detroit Accelerator (Conquer HealthTech Accelerator), supporting healthcare and health tech startups. The partnership provides startups with access to Henry Ford's clinical environment, pilot opportunities, and industry expertise. Eight Henry Ford clinical pilots were launched through the 2024-2025 cohort.
- Henry Ford + MSU Innovation HubcoreA health innovation hub advancing care delivery through clinical validation, translational research, and startup collaboration. The hub is operated jointly by Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University, supported by the MSU Research Foundation.
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreMEDC partners with the MSU Research Foundation through Michigan Rise, a pre-seed fund operated in partnership with MEDC. This relationship provides co-investment capital and connects the Foundation to statewide economic development initiatives. MEDC logos appear on the MSU Research Foundation partnerships page.
- SHAPE Engine (NSF Engine)minorA National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine working to reduce packaging waste and improve recycling through collaboration with businesses and startups. The MSU Research Foundation participates as a partner organization connecting startups to the SHAPE Engine network.
- MARS Tech Hub (EDA Tech Hub)minorAn EDA-designated technology hub helping researchers and startups turn advanced materials and manufacturing into real-world solutions. The MSU Research Foundation is a participant, connecting portfolio companies to hub resources and infrastructure.
- Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)minorLEAP collaborates with the MSU Research Foundation on events and ecosystem development, including co-hosting the Women of Innovation Summit and supporting startup programming in the Greater Lansing region.
- Lansing Regional SmartZoneminorA technology-based economic development organization partnering with the MSU Research Foundation on events, startup support, and ecosystem development in the Lansing region. Co-sponsored the Women of Innovation Summit 2026.
- Corewell Health VenturesminorEcosystem partner for the Healthcare & Life Sciences regional PitchMI event, contributing expertise and connections to the Michigan health innovation ecosystem.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Red Cedar Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Red Cedar Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceRed Cedar Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Red Cedar Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Red Cedar Ventures subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Red Cedar Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Red Cedar Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments283 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Red Cedar Ventures
What does Red Cedar Ventures do?
Red Cedar Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund that invests equity capital in Michigan-based early-stage startups developing high-tech, high-growth solutions. Investments are deployed primarily through the Conquer Accelerator program ($20,000 per accepted startup) and the PitchMI competition (up to $1 million championship investment), with additional direct rounds across pre-seed and seed stages. The fund operates as part of the MSU Research Foundation's broader innovation ecosystem that includes accelerator programming, incubator facilities, mentorship, and startup services.
Is Red Cedar Ventures a public or private company?
Red Cedar Ventures is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Red Cedar Ventures founded?
Red Cedar Ventures was founded in 1973. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Red Cedar Ventures based?
Red Cedar Ventures is headquartered in East Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Red Cedar Ventures make money?
One revenue line is on record: venture Capital Returns.
Does Red Cedar Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Red Cedar Ventures.
What industry is Red Cedar Ventures in?
Red Cedar Ventures's product category is Venture Capital and Startup Investment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAA, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Pre-Seed/Seed), with a secondary code of FSANAAAM, Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.