Five Grand Rapids Based High-Tech Startup Teams Named to Fall 2023 Conquer Accelerator Program Cohort
Startup accelerator offers funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to Michigan-based entrepreneurs, and hands-on experience for interns interested in entrepreneurship.
Kikcit founder, Ricardo O'Neal, gives an introduction to members of the 2023 Grand Rapids Conquer cohort.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Michigan State University Research Foundation announces the companies that will participate in its Fall 2023 Conquer Accelerator program, hosted at The Bridge Incubator the Doug Meijer Innovations Building.
The cohort includes five exceptional startup teams, selected for their high-tech solutions and rapid growth potential. Each team will be supported by a diverse student intern. The companies are:
Bookscore is an AI-powered book manuscript analysis tool. Editors can import book submissions and, within seconds, receive a comprehensive analysis across over 100 data points compared to an extensive database of 20,000 books. A score is provided for each submission based on this thorough analysis. Joining Bookscore is intern Justin Gamez, a student at Glen Oaks Community College.
Kikcit is a mobile app that recommends vibrant experiences and rewards users for their daily interactions at local businesses and live venues. Joining Kikcit is intern Amya Watkins, a junior at Ferris State University majoring in Digital Media Software Engineering.
Quantitative Coin Grading (QCG) is the world’s only third-party professional coin grading company, using technology that makes coin grading more accessible and affordable. Joining QCG is intern Jesse Kinyua, a recent graduate from Calvin University with a degree in Organizational Communication and minor in Entrepreneurship.
Reel Free is a medical technology company that creates devices that help manage oxygen tubing for elderly individuals using supplemental oxygen, reducing the risk of falls. Joining Reel Free is intern Anjay Yaple, a recent Michigan State University graduate with a degree in applied engineering.
Vetr Health is a mobile veterinary service that offers memberships for pet vaccinations, testing, telehealth consultations, and prescriptions—all accessible from the comfort of the pet owners' home. Joining Vetr Health is intern Evelyn Bucio, a third-year student at Albion College studying Political Science and Business.
The Conquer Accelerator program provides comprehensive support and resources to the selected startups, including access to a collaborative workspace at The Bridge, and an initial investment of $20,000 from the MSU Research Foundation’s venture investment fund, Red Cedar Ventures. Teams also benefit from mentorship provided by more than 40 entrepreneurs and business leaders within their respective industries. The program is designed to help founders launch a new startup by focusing on topics such as business development, product development, fundraising, intellectual property, market research, and go to market strategies. Teams also receive assistance in achieving tailored, goal-driven benchmarks.
"I'm really excited about working with this cohort," said Program Manager, Bradley Matson. "They represent the great mix of talent we have here in Michigan's startup community. From using AI for book analysis to improving pet healthcare access, I think each team and each intern has something really unique to offer. It's going to be an incredible journey!"
Upon completing the program, Conquer Accelerator teams become part of the Red Cedar Ventures portfolio, making them eligible for continued one-on-one membership, ongoing support, and additional investment opportunities. The program helps cohort teams transition from the startup phase to the scaling-up and growth phases.
The Conquer Accelerator Diversity in Entrepreneurship (CADE) internship program was established by the MSU Research Foundation in 2020. It has helped start careers for more than 25 individuals, with 90 percent of them representing diverse ethnic backgrounds, and over half identifying as female. Forty percent of past participants have secured continuing roles with a Conquer team or been hired in various other entrepreneurship-related positions, and 100 percent of them recommend it to other students.
To learn more about the Conquer Accelerator program, participating teams and CADE interns, or to apply for the next cohort, visit msufoundation.org/conquer-accelerator.