From Intern to Venture Capital Investor: John Tran's Journey

As a Ph.D. student in plant biology at Michigan State University (MSU), John Tran was part of the MSU Research Foundation’s Venture Fellows graduate program. His journey from intern to venture capital investor showcases the transformative power of internships and fellowships in shaping high-tech careers.?

John Tran's participation in the Venture Fellows graduate program from fall 2019 through spring 2020 was a pivotal experience. Collaborating with an MBA student and another Ph.D. student, Tran worked on transforming university technology into a viable startup. Their innovation, a wearable badge powered by a camera and artificial intelligence, aimed to predict human emotions and assist visually impaired users in enhancing communication skills. This project provided Tran with hands-on experience in technical commercialization and business model development, essential skills for his future career.?

In the summer of 2020, Tran interned at the MSU Research Foundation’s CADE (Conquer Accelerator Diversity in Entrepreneurship) program. During this internship, he worked closely with Mark Sands, founder of the business startup Building CATALYST. Tran actively participated in brainstorming sessions, strategic planning, product development, and market analysis.?

"This hands-on experience sharpened my problem-solving skills and ignited my passion for software technology and artificial intelligence," Tran said. He described his time as an intern as a "foundational experience" that prepared him to excel at his first startup, where he helped build a global open innovation platform enabling companies to collaborate with scientists worldwide, fast-tracking their entry into the marketplace.?

Tran's internships and fellowships at the MSU Research Foundation were instrumental in his transition to the venture capital industry. The skills and insights he gained allowed him to evaluate and support startups with innovative products and technologies. Currently, Tran is a venture associate for the MSU Research Foundation venture investment subsidiaries, Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise, focusing on supporting early-stage founders in building successful startups and serving as a partner in their journey to bring innovative technology solutions to market.?