Michigan Rise

?? PORTFOLIO JOB ALERT! Grounded is hiring a Senior Build Engineer! This Detroit-based startup, founded by former SpaceX engineers, designs and builds fully electric RVs with modular layouts, making travel more efficient and sustainable. See the full job description here: https://bit.ly/4bbbhql We're supporting the Michigan startup ecosystem by connecting top talent with innovative companies across the state.

?? APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN for the NextCycle Sustainable Packaging Accelerator! This six-month program helps advance projects toward implementation with expert support in business planning, technical guidance, funding pathways, partner connections, and pitch development. Ready to take your sustainable packaging innovation to the next level? Apply now: https://bit.ly/3XdVYr8

We love catching up with our founders in person! Last week, we connected with Jeff Rynbrandt from MediCool Technologies and Jason Miller from BitLyft Cybersecurity during their office visits. Thanks for stopping by! If you're in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, or Detroit, we��d love to connect��come say hello!

Last week, we stopped by the Startup Career Fair, powered by the Michigan State University �C Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. It was great to connect with student startups, meet talented interns, and catch up with some of the Michigan Rise portfolio companies! Always great to see the energy and innovation coming out of the MSU entrepreneurial community.

Scaling your startup? Need funding to fulfill a purchase order? Join us for a "Scale-Up! Session" on Leveraging P.O. Financing for startup growth. The Michigan Rise Purchase Order Financing Program helps startups bridge the gap between securing a purchase order and delivering on it��without giving up equity. Learn how the program works, who qualifies, and how to position your company to take advantage of this non-dilutive funding opportunity. February 26 | 12 PM Newlab at Michigan Central, Detroit Register here: https://bit.ly/3QhTyE8

It's National Engineering Week! We're celebrating the impact engineers have on society and the programs that help build Michigan's engineering talent pipeline. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) helps Michigan companies grow their engineering workforce through the STEAM Forward Program, which provides funding for engineering internships. Learn more: https://puremi.ch/3YlIqcQ #NationalEngineeringWeek

Michigan Rise portfolio company @Swishbx is partnering with Upshop to make product sampling easier and more effective. By integrating Swish��s Sponsored Product Sampling with UpShop��s eCommerce order management system, this collaboration will help brands deliver data-driven, personalized sampling campaigns��enhancing customer engagement and driving product trials. Read more about the partnership: https://bwnews.pr/3X4AfSG

This week, Michigan Rise team members Katie Kirsch and Vik Mohan visited MSU's FI 444 and 869 classes to share insights on due diligence��a key step in evaluating startups. Their presentation is helping prepare students for the 2025 Student Venture Capital Fund (SVCF) project, where they'll select and present Michigan-based startups for pre-seed investment recommendations. A big thank you to Professor Hayong Yun for having us. We're excited to see these students dive into the world of venture investing!

There's still time to register! Join us for this month's ��Morrison in the Morning�� virtual workshop on Thursday, February 13. Held every second Thursday, this series gives startup founders the legal insights they need to succeed. In this live online session, Joe Morrison, partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, will lead ��Employment Law 102: Managing Contractors vs. Employees," covering key considerations for startups navigating employment law. Register today! https://bit.ly/4eCoSrK

Last week, Michigan State University College of Law students from the Intellectual Property, Information & Communications (IPIC) Law program visited our office for a tour and presentations. Big thanks to Mikhail Murshak for including us in his curriculum this year! MSU's IPIC program is one of the most comprehensive in the country, and we appreciated the opportunity to connect with these future IP professionals. Learn more about the MSU IPIC program here: https://bit.ly/3Etvs6F