What Michigan State University Research Foundation does

The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSURF) is a nonprofit foundation founded in 1973 that operates the technology commercialization and innovation engine for Michigan State University. Its core function is converting MSU research into startups, licensable IP, and regional economic development rather than selling a single product. The Foundation runs four integrated pillars: MSU Resources (Strategic Partnership Grants, Humanities & Arts Research Program, 63 Distinguished Professorships, and the Venture Fellows Postdoc program); Ventures (Conquer Accelerator with sector-specific cohorts in EdTech, FinTech, and Detroit HealthTech, Startup Services, In-Residence Support, and PitchMI — a statewide competition with $1M championship and four $250K regionals); Research Parks (165,000 sq. ft. of lab, office, and warehouse space across Greater Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Detroit at ~90% occupancy, plus a $20M 68,000 sq. ft. Rosenberg Center opening summer 2027); and Venture Funds (Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III and Evergreen Fund with $10.6M from the Michigan Innovation Fund, and the $10M Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund). Two cross-cutting federal initiatives — SHAPE Engine (NSF Engines Development Grant, sustainable packaging across southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio) and MARS Tech Hub (EDA Tech Hub pursuit for advanced materials in Lansing) — extend the Foundation's regional influence.

Name

Michigan State University Research Foundation

Legal name

Michigan State University Research Foundation

Website

https://msufoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

University Research Commercialization

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Research commercialization services
• University venture funding
• Startup accelerator programs
• Technology transfer licensing
• Innovation hub facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

East Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants Funding: Annual research grant disbursement of approximately $15M, plus cumulative grant funding of $400M since 1974, supporting Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG), Humanities & Arts Research Program (HARP), and Distinguished Professorships (currently 63 professorships). Functions as grantmaking reinvesting foundation resources into MSU research.
2. Venture Capital Investment Returns: Capital deployed and recycled through Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise (Pre-Seed Fund III and Evergreen Fund), and the Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund. Reports $55.6M venture capital deployed, $1.46B co-investment leveraged, 268 active portfolio companies, 472 co-investor relationships, and 42 successful exits generating 2,160 jobs created.
3. Purchase Order Financing Interest: Interest income from the Michigan Rise Purchase Order Financing program, providing short-term working-capital loans (up to 180 days, up to $500K across notes, $250K on the first note) at competitive interest rates to Michigan-based B2B/B2G technology companies.
4. Licensing Royalties (Cisplatin Legacy): Long-term licensing royalties from Dr. Barnett Rosenberg's cisplatin discovery, which have generated more than $400 million for research, startup investment, and innovation programs led by the MSU Research Foundation. Cisplatin licensing revenues form the long-term financial foundation for the Foundation's research and commercialization activities.
5. Real Estate / Research Parks Operations: Revenue and economic value from operating 165,000 sq. ft. of lab, office, and warehouse space across Greater Lansing (Alliance Incubator, Rosenberg Center, Technology Innovation Center, VanCamp Incubator), Grand Rapids (The Bridge Incubator), and Detroit (Newlab). Includes 38 physical tenants and 17 virtual tenants at ~90% average occupancy and approximately 18 acres of development-ready land at University Health Park.
6. Government / Foundation Grant Funding: Non-dilutive funding raised ($217M per Impact metrics) supporting startup activities, alongside a $10.6M Michigan Innovation Fund award for the Michigan Rise Evergreen Fund and a $25,000 Michigan Mass Timber Catalyst Grant for the Rosenberg Center. Reportedly $11.6M in grants in 2024-2025 and $11.8M in 2023-2024.
7. Affiliate Program Dues / Fees: Affiliate Program offers portfolio companies, incubator tenants, and ecosystem partners access to MSU Library, sports/fitness facilities, parking, bookstore discounts, and campus dining in exchange for a $10 MSU Affiliate ID card fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The MSU Research Foundation is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with Michigan State University that funds and commercializes university research. It operates an integrated portfolio spanning research grants (Strategic Partnership Grants, Humanities & Arts Research Program), endowed Distinguished Professorships, the Venture Fellows Postdoc program, the Conquer Accelerator, Startup Services, In-Residence Support, the PitchMI statewide competition, research park incubators in Lansing/Grand Rapids/Detroit, venture funds (Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise, Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund), PO Financing, and regional initiatives such as the SHAPE Engine (NSF) and MARS Tech Hub (EDA).

Product overview

The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSURF) is a nonprofit foundation that supports Michigan State University's research and innovation ecosystem through an integrated portfolio of programs rather than a single unified software product. Its core offerings span four pillars: (1) MSU Resources — Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG), the Humanities and Arts Research Program (HARP), the Distinguished Professors program, and the Venture Fellows Postdoc program that fund researchers and faculty; (2) Ventures — Conquer Accelerator Programs (with sector-specific tracks in EdTech, FinTech, and Detroit HealthTech), Startup Services, the In-Residence Support network (EIR/MIR/OP), and PitchMI, the statewide startup competition; (3) Research Parks — incubators and facilities including the Alliance Incubator, VanCamp Incubator, Technology Innovation Center, The Bridge (Grand Rapids), the Development-Ready Land at University Health Park, and the upcoming Rosenberg Center headquarters; and (4) Venture Funds — Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise (including the Evergreen Fund), and the Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund. Two flagship cross-cutting initiatives are the SHAPE Engine (NSF Engines Development Grant for sustainable packaging) and the MARS Tech Hub (EDA Tech Hub for advanced materials). PO Financing provides non-dilutive working capital, the CADE Internship Program connects students with startups, and the Affiliate Program grants portfolio companies campus access. Together, these offerings connect MSU research funding, commercialization infrastructure, talent, and capital to accelerate startup formation and growth across Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Red Cedar Ventures: Early capital, follow-on funding, and additional seed-stage investments via Pre-Seed Fund and Opportunity Funds to help startups form, gain traction, and scale.
• Michigan Rise
• Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund
• Conquer Accelerator
• PitchMI
• SHAPE Engine (Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem)
• MARS Tech Hub (Hub for Materials Advancement and Research Solutions)

Products and services

• Strategic Partnership Grants (SPG) Competitive research funding program offering Research and Scholarly Development and Center Development categories, typically spanning two to three years with a required college/department financial match, administered for MSU faculty.
• Humanities and Arts Research Program (HARP)
• MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professors Program Endowed professorship titles recognizing MSU faculty whose research advances the university's mission; honorees typically receive five years of research funding throughout their MSU tenure.
• Venture Fellows Postdoc Program One-year postdoctoral program that advances MSU technologies toward commercialization, develops MSU intellectual property, and prepares researchers for startup leadership; postdocs become eligible for up to 18 months of Entrepreneur-in-Residence support after completion.
• Conquer Accelerator Programs Cohort-based accelerator with specialized tracks (Summer East Lansing, Grand Rapids Area, EdTech, FinTech, Detroit HealthTech, Pre-Accelerator) offering $20K investment, 10-week curriculum, expert mentorship, investor access, validation/testing, and legal/regulatory support to early-stage startups.
• Startup Services
• Red Cedar Ventures
• Michigan Rise Early-stage capital and grant support for Michigan-based technology startups, offered in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; includes Pre-Seed Fund III and the Evergreen Fund.
• Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund $10M health-focused venture capital arm of the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub providing early capital, follow-on, and seed investments to advance medical technologies that improve care and access.
• Michigan Rise Purchase Order (PO) Financing
• PitchMI Startup Competition Statewide founder-focused startup competition presented by Michigan Rise Evergreen Fund with four $250,000 regional semifinal prizes and a $1M statewide championship for Michigan-headquartered early-stage startups (total prize pool ~$1.25M+).
• In-Residence Support (EIR / MIR / OP)
• Greater Lansing Research Parks
• The Bridge Incubator (Grand Rapids)
• Development-Ready Land (University Health Park)
• Affiliate Program
• SHAPE Engine (Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem) NSF Engines Development Grant-funded regional initiative led by MSU Research Foundation across southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio to reduce plastic/paper packaging waste and advance sustainable materials, recycling technologies, and low-carbon supply chains.
• MARS Tech Hub (Hub for Materials Advancement and Research Solutions) EDA Tech Hub designation initiative for the Lansing, Michigan region focused on advanced materials science (synthetic diamond, particle accelerators/rare isotopes) via the Scaling Innovation in Michigan (SIM) Initiative with MSU, the MARS Consortium, and Fraunhofer USA.
• CADE Internship Program
• Startup Jobs Board Statewide online job board (jobs.msufoundation.org) launched May 2025 connecting Michigan startup talent with portfolio and ecosystem companies, supporting long-term talent retention.

Named customers22 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub is a collaboration between Henry Ford Innovations and the MSU Research Foundation intended to transform groundbreaking discoveries into real-world clinical solutions that improve care delivery, consumer access, and patient experience. Announced July 2025 with an anchor $10M Innovation Fund. Also referenced as the Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund on the Venture Funds page.
• Michigan State University (MSU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan State University is a core partner across the Foundation's programs, including co-leadership of SHAPE Engine (with The Ohio State University), long-term ground lease host for the Rosenberg Center, and joint administration of Strategic Partnership Grants and HARP via the MSU Office of Research and Innovation.
• The Ohio State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead academic partner on SHAPE Engine (Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem), with Co-Principal Investigator Laurent Matuana from The Ohio State University working alongside Yael Vodovotz (MSU Research Foundation) and JD Lindeberg (MSU).
• Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) / NextCycle MichigancoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-lead operational partner on SHAPE Engine, led by RRS President Angela Hall and integrated with NextCycle Michigan to drive collection, sorting, recycling, and upcycling of used packaging across the Great Lakes region.
• Fraunhofer USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer USA is a committed consortium member on the MARS Tech Hub (EDA Tech Hub designation pursuit) and a partner in the Scaling Innovation in Michigan (SIM) Initiative, focused on advanced materials and manufacturing innovation.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEDC co-funds Michigan Rise (early-stage capital and grant support for Michigan-based technology startups) and is a committed consortium member on the MARS Tech Hub. The Foundation's Director of Research Parks, Jeff Smith, also serves on the MEDC Advisory Board for Redevelopment Ready Communities.
• Lansing Regional SmartZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLansing Regional SmartZone co-sponsors the Conquer Summer and Pre-Accelerator cohorts in East Lansing, in association with the MSU Research Foundation; also a committed consortium member on the MARS Tech Hub.
• Grand Rapids SmartZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrand Rapids SmartZone powers the Conquer Grand Rapids Area accelerator for high-tech, high-growth companies based in the Grand Rapids region.
• Michigan VirtualcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Virtual co-powers the national Conquer EdTech Accelerator (K-12, secondary, and workforce education solutions) launched June 2025.
• MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSUFCU powers the Conquer FinTech Accelerator for financial technology companies operating anywhere in the United States.
• LEAP (Lansing Economic Area Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEAP co-hosts the Women of Innovation Summit with the MSU Research Foundation and Lansing Regional SmartZone, and is a committed consortium member on the MARS Tech Hub.
• HDR (architecture & engineering)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHDR is the architecture and engineering partner for the Rosenberg Center project on the MSU campus.
• Granger Construction (general contractor)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGranger Construction serves as general contractor for the Rosenberg Center renovation and mass timber expansion.
• Mercer Mass Timber (mass timber supplier)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMercer Mass Timber supplies mass timber as the primary structural material for the Rosenberg Center expansion.
• Triterra (environmental consulting)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTriterra serves as environmental consulting partner on the Rosenberg Center project.
• Michigan Small Business Development CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMichigan SBDC is referenced as a Venture Fellows postdoc education resource alongside the Conquer Accelerator education seminar series.
• University of MichiganminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Michigan is a major SHAPE Engine partner (alongside MSU, The Ohio State University, Wayne State, Western Michigan University, Indiana University, and North Carolina Central University) contributing to the regional circular packaging ecosystem.
• Wayne State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne State University is a major SHAPE Engine academic partner and a committed MARS Tech Hub supporter (letter of general support).
• Western Michigan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Michigan University is a major SHAPE Engine academic partner.
• PepsiCominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPepsiCo is a major industry partner in SHAPE Engine, supporting sustainable packaging transformation across the Great Lakes region.
• DowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDow is a major SHAPE Engine industry partner, supporting packaging circularity work alongside the Foundation and other consortium members.
• AmcorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmcor is a major packaging-industry partner in SHAPE Engine, supporting packaging circularity.
• Graphic Packaging InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic Packaging International is a major packaging-industry partner in SHAPE Engine.
• Kimberly-ClarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKimberly-Clark is a major packaging-industry partner in SHAPE Engine.
• NVIDIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNVIDIA is a major SHAPE Engine partner listed among the 50+ members of the consortium.
• Google CloudminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle Cloud sponsored the Data Science + AI Summit hosted by the MSU Research Foundation in October 2025.
• Delta Dental of MichiganminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Dental of Michigan co-sponsored the Data Science + AI Summit hosted by the MSU Research Foundation in October 2025.
• Great Lakes Crystal TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU spinoff that grows diamonds in its laboratory for advanced electronics and quantum computing; uses the VanCamp Incubator and is a committed MARS Tech Hub consortium member (synthetic diamond focus).
• Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU's Burgess Institute provides startup resources and mentorship to MSU students; the Conquer Accelerator page directs MSU student founders to the Burgess Institute for student entrepreneurship support.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Ohio State University Office of Research and Innovation / Ohio State Innovation Foundation: Ohio State's research commercialization and industry partnership arm, co-leading SHAPE Engine with MSURF. Closely comparable on technology transfer, industry partnerships, and regional ecosystem building.
• University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships: UM's tech transfer, venture, and startup support unit, managing similar accelerators, venture funds (e.g., Michigan Investment in New Technology Startups — MINTS), and research park activities. Closely comparable in scope and Michigan-based competition.
• U-Illinois Research Park / Office of Technology Management: University of Illinois's research park and tech transfer operation. Directly comparable as a Big Ten, Midwest university commercialization peer combining physical incubator space with licensing and startup programs.
• Purdue Research Foundation: Purdue University's nonprofit research and technology transfer arm, operating research parks, startup incubators (Purdue Foundry), and venture activity. Directly comparable as a Big Ten peer running grants, parks, accelerators, and venture programs.
• Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF): University-affiliated nonprofit that commercializes UW-Madison research through patenting, licensing, and venture investment. Directly comparable to MSURF in mission, structure (endowed by a landmark discovery — WARF's vitamin D), and grant/investment programs.
• Henry Ford Innovations: Henry Ford Health's commercialization arm, jointly operating the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub and Innovation Fund with MSURF. Directly comparable as a co-operator of health-focused venture funding and translational research programs.

Broad incumbents

• Stanford Office of Technology Licensing (OTL): Premier university technology transfer office handling Stanford IP, licensing, and startup formation. Comparable on tech transfer and licensing-royalty economics; broader and more established than MSURF but analogous function.
• MIT Technology Licensing Office (TLO): MIT's tech transfer office handling patenting, licensing, and startup formation. Comparable as a top-tier university research commercialization counterpart with a much larger and older IP base.

Regional players

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC): Michigan's state economic development organization that co-funds Michigan Rise and participates in SHAPE/MARS. Comparable as a regional partner/customer that channels capital and policy support to MSURF programs.
• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP): Regional economic development partner for the Lansing region that co-hosts MSURF's Women of Innovation Summit and supports MARS Tech Hub. Comparable as a regional ecosystem partner rather than a direct operator of grants or VC.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@msuresearchfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/michiganstateufoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/5277717
• Instagraminstagram.com/msu_researchfoundation
• Xx.com/MSUFoundation71

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments5 records

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Frequently asked questions about Michigan State University Research Foundation