MSU Research Foundation’s Captive Venture Funds Close 22 Investments

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Apr. 21, 2026) — The MSU Research Foundation announced 22 new startup investments through its Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise investment subsidiaries between January and March 2026.

“This quarter reflects a deliberate approach to how we deploy capital across stages and sectors,” said Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Michigan Rise. “We’re seeing strong activity in areas like healthcare, fintech, and energy, and continuing to support companies beyond the initial investment. Together, these investments demonstrate how our funds work in coordination to help startups launch, grow, and scale in Michigan.”

Investments this quarter include the following, with additional investments in stealth-stage companies not yet publicly announced:

• Akadeum Life Sciences (akadeum.com) – Uses buoyant microbubbles to separate cells and molecules, improving sample preparation for research and clinical use.
• Ciyfr (ciyfr.io) – Uses data and AI to help hospitals predict staffing shortages, reduce burnout, and improve workforce planning.
• Clicki Referrals (joinclicki.com) – Enables service businesses to launch and manage referral programs that drive customer growth.
• Crebit (crebitpay.com) – Provides a stablecoin-powered payments platform for faster, lower-cost tuition and remittance payments.
• 86Repairs (86repairs.com) – Provides software and services that help restaurants manage equipment repairs, reduce costs, and prevent downtime.
• Electric Outdoors (electricoutdoors.com) – Builds modular, off-grid systems that provide clean energy, water, shelter, and connectivity for remote locations.
• Enspired Solutions (enspiredsolutions.com) – Develops technology that permanently destroys toxic “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in water, making it safe and reusable.
• Essata Technologies (essata.io) – Provides software to manage energy use and infrastructure in commercial buildings.
• EverFriends.ai (everfriends.ai) – Creates AI-powered companions that support seniors and people experiencing loneliness, improving emotional well-being through responsive, conversational interaction.
• Jupid (jupid.com) – Embeds business formation, accounting, tax, and compliance tools into digital banking platforms for entrepreneurs.
• Luminur – Supports emergency clinicians with decision tools that reduce unnecessary CT scans in pulmonary embolism care.
• Ollivate (ollivate.com) – Builds a gamified app that helps medical professionals prepare for certifications, with plans to expand into other licensed industries.
• PhotoniCare (photoni.care) – Develops imaging technology to diagnose ear infections and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
• Promethient (thermavance.com) – Manufactures heated and cooled seating systems for industrial, commercial, and specialty use.
• Sail (savewithsail.com) – Provides an HSA/FSA reimbursement platform that enables upfront payment and automatic reimbursement.
• ScopeMed (scopemedicine.com) – Develops a nasal cannula system that improves oxygen delivery during endoscopy.
• Shifty (shiftyinc.com) – Develops training tools that help restaurants better support frontline workers, improving retention, performance, and overall employee experience.
• SPARE (gotspare.com) – Provides an embedded financial services platform that expands access to banking without physical branches.
• Syntheia Labs (syntheiabio.com) – Uses patient-derived stem cells to test heart medications and support more personalized cardiovascular care.

The MSU Research Foundation invests in early-stage technology startups through its Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise family of venture funds. This coordinated approach provides capital and support from pre-seed through follow-on investment, helping startups launch, grow, and scale in Michigan.

For more information about the MSU Research Foundation’s investment funds and portfolio companies, visit msufoundation.org/venture-funds.