State Awards Pre-Seed Fund III to Michigan State University Foundation

EAST LANSING, Mich., April 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan State University Foundation announced today that it has been named administrator of the Michigan Pre-Seed Fund III by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The $3 million award, approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund, fits the non-profit mission of the MSU Foundation and will help further drive economic development by deploying this early stage capital to startup companies across the state. 

Founded in 1973, the MSU Foundation's mission is to assist Michigan State University in fulfilling its land grant mission as it relates to economic development.  In the past six years, the MSU Foundation has invested resources into programs that help commercialize new technologies.  Its investments include accelerator programs (via Spartan Innovations), a pre-seed and early-stage venture fund (Red Cedar Ventures), and facilities and incubators via its University Corporate Research Park organization.  

"Our objective is to contribute to the State of Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem with the goal of creating jobs, attracting and retaining talent and creating value," said David Washburn MSU Foundation Executive Director. "Administering the Pre-Seed Fund III award will enhance our impact and help us extend our reach across the state." 

The award, which was approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund on April 14^th, will further the Foundation's endeavors by working with pre-seed stage companies throughout Michigan, providing capital support, coaching, assistance with grant funding and providing access to entrepreneurship resources available across the state. 

The Pre-Seed III dollars will be deployed to early stage venture companies as either convertible notes, equity investments or SAFE agreements and the size of the investments will vary depending on the opportunity.  The program will be overseen by Jeff Wesley who leads the MSU Foundation's Red Cedar Ventures fund. The organization will leverage its relationships throughout the entire state to source investment opportunities. 

"With this award from the MEDC, we'll work with statewide SmartZones, university tech transfer offices, business acceleration service providers, and incubators and accelerators," said Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of MSU Foundation subsidiary entity Red Cedar Ventures which will oversee Pre-Seed Fund III.  "We want to leverage existing relationships to support these startups."

In some cases, the MSU Foundation, via Red Cedar Ventures, will co-invest alongside of the Pre-Seed Fund III and seek support from the angel and early stage investors across the state.

"We have built a strong network across the State of Michigan through our membership with the Michigan Venture Capital Association and have received commitments of support from several investor groups within the region," said Jeff Wesley. "By combining investment dollars from a number of sources, we can spread the risk while surrounding the new startups with a nurturing ecosystem of aligned partners."

Since 2014, Red Cedar Ventures has deployed $5M of its own resources as early stage funding to over 70 new startup entities.  Those companies have raised an additional $200M from other funding sources.

"For the last six years, the MSU Foundation's venture creation apparatus has been under the radar, using their own financial resources to create a deep bench of individuals and service providers that have resulted in the formation of many promising, high-growth companies," said Fred Molnar, vice president of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at MEDC. "Their mission, track record and relationships across the state is a compelling story, and we're excited to work with a team so committed to this important work."

The Pre-Seed Fund III will be able to leverage many systems that have been established by the MSU Foundation through its Spartan Innovations group such as its Entrepreneur-In-Residence and Mentor-In-Residence programs.  Additionally, early stage companies can apply to Spartan Innovations program, Conquer Accelerator. Companies can take advantage of its expertise in leveraging non-dilutive federal grant programs such as SBIR and STTR programs.

The Pre-Seed Fund III is industry and sector agnostic but will have an emphasis on high growth opportunities that commit to staying in Michigan. Investments from the Pre-Seed Fund III are expected to commence in May 2020 upon completion of contractual negotiations between MEDC and MSU Foundation.

About the Michigan State University 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, entrepreneurship, and economic development at the university and beyond. Additionally, the MSU Foundation operates Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, and the University Corporate Research Park. More information on the organization's notable achievements, services, leadership, and history are available at www.msufoundation.org. 

About Red Cedar Ventures

Red Cedar Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Michigan State University Foundation. Founded in 2014, RCV is proud to be the first venture fund in Mid-Michigan with a mission to accelerate the commercialization of MSU startups and create opportunities for affiliated partners and technologies, create and retain well-paying jobs, produce fair returns, and build an entrepreneurial ecosystem to enhance and retain MSU researchers, faculty, and students.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org . Join the conversation on: Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn , and Twitter. 

SOURCE Michigan State University Foundation