MSU Research Foundation’s Captive Venture Funds Close 33 Investments

EAST LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 20, 2026) — The MSU Research Foundation announced 33 new investments in startup companies through its Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise investment subsidiaries between October and December 2025.

“This quarter reflects strong momentum across our venture programs,” said Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation. “The breadth of this portfolio highlights the strength of our platforms—including investments in the four PitchMI finalists, two Conquer Accelerator programs, and our continued focus on early-stage startups across the state. Together, these investments show how our programs work in concert as a connected system to support startups at every stage of growth.”

Investments this quarter:

• Adrenaline Interactive (adrenalineinteractive.ai) – Provides AI-powered tools for managing in-game advertising, helping game publishers increase revenue and improve brand engagement.
• AgriDynamics Robotics – Develops robotic harvesting systems for tree fruit that deliver fast, gentle, and reliable picking in commercial orchards. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• Bed Connect – Modernizes how hospitals connect patients with post-acute care providers, improving care transitions and discharge planning.
• Bloom (togetherwebloom.us) – Operates a marketplace that connects electric mobility and hard tech brands with the services needed to streamline operations and bring products to market.
• Blueflite (blueflite.com) – Designs and manufactures cargo drones that enable faster, lower-cost, and lower-emission delivery services.
• Breaking Bread – Organizes small, rotating in-person gatherings using automated scheduling and smart matching to help neighbors and colleagues build stronger community connections. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• BridgeCare Technologies – Provides digital tools that help schools strengthen student well-being and support social and emotional skill development.
• Chuck Waste – Operates an AI-powered platform that helps construction companies divert wood waste from landfills into reuse and renewable energy.
• Civilized Cycles (civilizedcycles.com) – Builds compact electric vehicles that provide efficient and sustainable transportation for urban passengers and cargo.
• Culturewell (getculturewell.com) – Operates a monitoring platform that helps healthcare facilities detect contamination risks and prevent infections.
• CuraCollaborative (curacollaborative.com) – Provides a care coordination platform that connects health systems, patients, and families to improve communication and care planning.
• Electric Outdoors (electricoutdoors.com) – Builds off-grid, solar-powered glamping systems that enable sustainable outdoor hospitality and remote accommodations.
• The Electric Plant Company – Uses plant-based sensors to monitor electrical signals, helping farmers and arborists track plant health in real time.
• Farmish (getfarmish.com) – Operates an online marketplace that connects communities with local farmers to access fresh, locally grown food.
• Gabb Global – Provides a VR-based language learning platform that helps users learn English faster through adaptive, real-time instruction. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• General Orbit – Designs and builds modular satellite systems that simplify manufacturing, reduce integration complexity, and improve mission reliability.
• Herd Social – Provides genetic testing and an online support community to help families facing rare diseases access accurate diagnoses and specialized care. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• Inspirame – Uses digital tools to guide students toward affordable college programs, supporting enrollment, persistence, and career pathways. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• Maka Media – Operates a curated media platform that helps families select safe, age-appropriate content using expert review and responsible AI.
• Medicool Technologies (medicooltech.com) – Develops cooling-based medical devices to treat cardiac arrhythmias and improve patient outcomes.
• Meknology (meknology.com) – Designs water treatment systems that remove sludge, salts, and heavy metals to support clean and reliable water access.
• Move FactorX (movefactorx.com) – Creates portable movement sensors that provide real-time feedback on athletic and rehabilitation performance.
• Orbion Space Technology (orbionspace.com) – Develops electric propulsion systems that improve small satellite maneuverability and mission efficiency.
• Parallel Robotics (parallel-robot.com) – Provides engineering and R&D services for robotics and automation systems, supporting advanced mechanical and mechatronic design.
• PatenSee (patensee.com) – Develops contactless imaging systems that enable early detection of vascular access complications in dialysis patients.
• PearlEdison (pearledison.com) – Provides an automated platform that helps homeowners electrify their homes with minimal complexity.
• Reportwell – Operates a compliance and reporting platform that helps education agencies streamline regulatory workflows.
• SBE Medical (tibbe.us) – Develops the Tibbe Female External Urinary Device to improve comfort, dignity, and outcomes for female patients.
• Spelling Safari – Provides a personalized spelling platform for grades K–7 that builds literacy skills and saves time for teachers. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• Stakestack AI – Use Uses AI to create training courses and assessments, helping educators and employers deliver personalized learning. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• TruVue – Develops catheter-based navigation devices that help physicians safely access blocked blood vessels during minimally invasive procedures.
• VERN AI – Provides a conversational AI platform that analyzes text for emotional cues, helping organizations better understand user intent and sentiment. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.
• Wimage – Offers an interactive reading platform that helps children build vocabulary and literacy skills through creative storytelling. This company participated in the MSU Research Foundation’s Conquer Accelerator program.

The Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise investment funds provide critical support to tech startups at various stages of development. Red Cedar Ventures’ Pre-Seed Fund offers early-stage funding to help startups launch and secure additional investment, while the Opportunity Funds I and II provide follow-on funding as portfolio companies grow. The MSU Research Foundation established the Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), offering funding, coaching, and grant assistance to Michigan-based tech startups. Together, these funds deliver comprehensive financial support and resources to startups throughout their journey in the technology sector.

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