Red Cedar Ventures Invests in Pathogen Prevention Company, UV Angel
POSTED: Thursday, April 14, 2022
MSU Foundation subsidiary participates in latest investment round as UV Angel’s products adopted by Michigan State University’s Breslin Center and other Facilities
EAST LANSING, Mich., April 14, 2022 –– Red Cedar Ventures (RCV), a wholly owned subsidiary to the Michigan State University Foundation (MSUF), today announced an investment in UV Angel Inc., a leader in pathogen control technology based in Grand Haven, Mich. This investment by RCV supports the continued growth of the organization, especially as its technology continues to expand its footprint and product offering throughout Michigan State University’s high-capacity spaces.
“We foster strong relationships with the companies we invest in, especially those whose mission focuses on the health and wellbeing. Combined with our direct connection to MSU, our investment and partnership with UV Angel is perfectly aligned,” said Jeff Wesley, executive director of Red Cedar Ventures. “As healthcare continues to be a priority in every aspect of our lives, we look forward to supporting UV Angel’s growth at MSU and beyond, and are proud of their commitment to create a better, safer environment for all.”
Engineered to continuously clean the air and safely operate when people are present with no chemicals or harmful by-products, the UV Angel Clean Air Upper-Room UVGI technology seamlessly integrates a patented Infection Control Platform into the room-ceiling space. The Upper Room UV Angel Clean Air operates 24x7 completely independent from building HVAC and actively pulls room air into a sealed UVGI infection control chamber, where viruses, bacteria, and fungi are killed up to 99.99%. The clean treated air is safely returned to the room to provide a cleaner, safer environment.
“UV Angel has worked tirelessly during this pandemic to bring awareness to the air as a transmission pathway for the coronavirus and other infectious pathogens, and we’re proud to partner with MSU to help reduce pathogens and create healthier environments for MSU students, athletes, and staff,” said Dr. Linda D. Lee, DrPH, MBA, CIC, Chief Medical Affairs and Science Officer of UV Angel. “Students and staff need to continue to get back to the classroom and experience the benefits of full university life. People are the main source of transmission, and our pathogen control technology provides an engineered and automatic layer of safety against harmful viruses, bacteria, and mold where it’s needed most, indoors, in occupied spaces as people are gathering to work, train, and care for others.”
With a healthcare background, UV Angel does extensive environmental studies to use science-based designs to validate effectiveness across many types of organizations. On average we have seen dramatic reductions of bacteria levels between 70-80%. UV Angel is currently used at the Michigan State University Breslin Student Events Center, Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Olin Health Center, and Wonders Hall. More spaces are being considered for UV Angel’s product across campus.
"At Michigan State University, the athletic department's top priority is the health and safety of our student-athletes, said Alan Haller, Director of Athletics at MSU. Many sports require close contact in both competition and training, so we're focused on how we can increase safety, and reduce the potential for transmitting viruses and germs. Having the UV Angel Clean Air technology installed in our athletic facilities provides a cleaner, more disinfected environment for our current and prospective athletes and helps them stay healthier and perform at their best."
“Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, it was a stressful time for everyone, both for workers on the front lines of health care and also for the students we care for. Like a traditional hospital setting, we also care for a wide variety of cases every day,” said Dr. Keith Nelson, MD, Director, Health Services at MSU Olin Healthcare Center. “Having a system such as UV Angel Clean Air that’s been proven in difficult healthcare environments and automatically runs 24x7/365 to reduce harmful pathogens, adds an important layer of protection to our in-room occupied spaces.”
UVGI is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), ASHRAE, and the EPA. Upper Room UVGI Air disinfection technology was strongly recommended by the White House during a briefing on Air and COVID 19 on March 22 as an effective added protection measure against viruses, bacteria, and fungi (mold). UV Angel’s product line follows these guidelines and their current platform of UVGI equipment and connected software, along with planned future releases will continue to protect people by eliminating dangerous pathogens from the air we breathe and surfaces we touch.
About The MSU Foundation
Established in 1973 as an independent non-profit, the Michigan State University Foundation is committed to the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies invented by MSU faculty, staff, and students. The MSU Foundation’s overarching goal is to support research, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the University. Additionally, the MSU Foundation operates Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise and incubator facilities to help drive economic development. More information on the organization’s notable achievements, services, leadership, and history are available at www.msufoundation.org.
About Red Cedar Ventures
Founded in 2014, Red Cedar Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the MSU Foundation and was formed with the objective to make investments in early stage start-up companies, creating opportunities for MSU technologies, ecosystem partners, and the state of Michigan. Red Cedar Ventures is the leading Mid-Michigan Venture Fund providing economic impact for the region and the state with new jobs, new companies, and value-added partnerships. The fund deployed over $9M over the last 6 years in over 60 new start-up companies that have gone on to raise in excess of $300M in outside capital.
About UV Angel
Designed to meet stringent healthcare standards, UV Angel’s advanced pathogen control technology was initially developed in 2014 to serve hospitals and healthcare facilities working to prevent infections. The company uses years of advanced research and development in ultraviolet light and digital IoT platforms to help make the environments around us cleaner and safer. Fully automated, patented, and proven safe, UV Angel leverages Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) technology to monitor and clean the air we breathe and surfaces we touch. Complemented by a proprietary software and data analytics platform that delivers critical insights and strategic advantages to leaders in healthcare, government, education, corporate, food service and more, UV Angel helps ensure the spaces where we live, eat and work are measurably cleaner and safer. To learn more, visitwww.uvangel.com.