Michigan Rise

How will the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University partnership shape the future of health? The inaugural Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Symposium brings together researchers and leaders to explore bold ideas for transforming health in Michigan and beyond. Join the conversation! https://bit.ly/4c3PRfh

Michigan Rise portfolio company Genomenon has announced a new AI-powered integration for Mastermind, its genomic search engine. Mastermind helps researchers and clinicians find and interpret genetic evidence from scientific literature, making it easier to connect genetic variants with relevant research. This update enhances search capabilities, improving efficiency in genomic analysis. Read more here: https://bit.ly/42elqjg

It's National Agriculture Day! With Michigan State University’s roots in agriculture, it’s only fitting to highlight the AgTech entrepreneurs driving innovation across the state. From AI-powered livestock monitoring to sustainable starch alternatives, these MSU-connected startups are shaping the future of agriculture: ? CIBO Technologies ? CryoCellar ? EarthMetric Innovations ? Farmish ? Motion Grazer AI ? StarchTek Corp. ? Treeborn As AgTech continues to grow in Michigan, we’re proud to support entrepreneurs developing solutions for a more sustainable, efficient agricultural industry.

Is your startup looking for a summer intern? The Michigan Economic Development Corporation STEAM Ahead program provides Michigan-based startups with up to $4,000 in matching funds for full-time interns and $2,000 for part-time interns. This is a great opportunity to tap into Michigan's top college talent while growing your company! Learn more here: https://puremi.ch/3YlIqcQ

Michigan Rise portfolio company Protein Pints is going national! Congratulations to co-founders and longtime friends Paul Reiss and Michael Meadows on this major milestone. What began as an MSU student startup is now hitting store shelves nationwide. From testing recipes in a college apartment to securing national distribution, their journey shows what's possible in Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read more: https://bit.ly/3QR71Ty

Join us at the Women in Tech Summit! The annual summit returns to East Lansing on March 31, celebrating and advancing the contributions of women shaping Michigan's tech landscape, hosted by the MSU Research Foundation. This half-day event features a keynote address, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners. WHEN: Monday, March 31 at 8:00 AM WHERE: Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing The Women in Tech Summit is part of 517 E&I Week (March 31-April 4), a week dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship at MSU and across the Greater Lansing area. Register here: https://bit.ly/43rXslz See last year's highlights: https://bit.ly/4kuaODU

Michigan Rise is at SXSW 2025, connecting with founders, VCs and others from the startup ecosystem! We attended some great events at Midwest House and got to see firsthand how Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is making an impact!

Join us at The Bridge in Grand Rapids for Changing Lanes, a fireside chat with mobility startup founders. This Michigan Economic Development Corporation event, hosted by the MSU Research Foundation, features insights from entrepreneurs on launching and scaling their businesses, along with networking opportunities and details on local startup resources available through Michigan’s SmartZones. When: Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 PM Where: The Bridge, Grand Rapids Register here: https://bit.ly/4gNmO0o

INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT: SwimSmart Water Safety Solutions SwimSmart improves beach safety with electronic warning systems that provide real-time weather updates. By replacing traditional flags with a stoplight-style system, they help families make safer, more informed decisions. “SwimSmart’s mission is to make a discernible impact on drowning reduction,” said Calvin VanderWal, Venture Associate at Michigan Rise. “Their robust technology suite is poised to have an incredible impact on water safety. My hope is for their technology to become the new standard for water safety across the country and beyond.” Read the full announcement here: https://bit.ly/41M7v3F

There's still time to register! Join us for this month’s Morrison in the Morning virtual workshop on Thursday, March 13. Held every second Thursday, this series gives startup founders the legal insights they need to succeed. In this live online session, Joe Morrison and Sarah Harrell from Barnes & Thornburg LLP will lead Brand Protection 101: Trademark Fundamentals, covering essential strategies for early-stage brand assessment, trademark registration, and common pitfalls to avoid. Register today! https://bit.ly/3QsPQrh