Howard Akumiah Appointed to Michigan State University Research Foundation Board of Directors
The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSU Research Foundation) has announced the appointment of Howard Akumiah to its board of directors. Mr. Akumiah is a distinguished Michigan State University (MSU) alumnus and successful entrepreneur.
"We’re thrilled to welcome Howard to the board of directors," said Randolph Cowen, Chair of the MSU Research Foundation. "His wealth of entrepreneurial experience, strategic thinking, and dedication to innovation will greatly enhance our ability to fulfill the mission of the Foundation."
Akumiah enrolled at MSU in 2011, where he actively pursued various opportunities that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. He excelled as a member of the debate team, contributed to the work at the Behavior Information and Technology Lab, chaired the student entrepreneurship institute, and interned at East Lansing based TechSmith Corporation and Google. His campus experiences, coupled with his strong entrepreneurial drive, eventually led him to establish his own company while still a student at MSU.
Following his graduation from MSU's James Madison College in 2015, Akumiah found success working at Facebook and Pinterest. His entrepreneurial spirit then propelled him to found Betty Labs, a startup focused on developing consumer social apps for sports fans.
Betty Labs gained recognition for developing Locker Room—an innovative, audio-based social network app catering to sports enthusiasts, insiders, and athletes. The platform enabled real-time participation in live conversations surrounding sports news, trades, rumors, and more.
The company received widespread attention in the industry and secured significant seed funding in 2020, with Google Ventures leading the investment round. Betty Labs was acquired by Spotify in 2021.
David Washburn, MSU Research Foundation Executive Director, expressed his excitement about Akumiah’s appointment, stating, "The Spartan community of entrepreneurs across our ecosystem can learn from Howard’s experience as a founder and operator. We’re excited to have him join us in our mission."
Akumiah holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from MSU's James Madison College and was honored with the Young Alumni Award in 2022, recognizing his exceptional achievements and contributions. Reflecting on his appointment, he shared his enthusiasm, saying, "It’s a tremendous honor to serve my alma mater and contribute to the continued growth and success of Michigan State University, while also recognizing the positive economic impact it has on the state of Michigan. I'm proud to be part of the Spartan community."