Dear Innovators, Collaborators, and Friends of MSU,
Innovation is the driving force that shapes economies, elevates lives, and redefines the future.
Thirteen years ago, the vision for the MSU Innovation Center was ambitious: to bring together brilliant minds, dedicated partners, and diverse communities to create an ecosystem where breakthrough ideas blossom into tangible solutions for society’s most pressing challenges.
At the MSU Innovation Center, our mission has always been to help our faculty translate their innovations into solutions that serve the public good, generate new economic opportunities, and redefine industries.
We collaborate with a wide range of partners, including corporations throughout Michigan and globally, state and local economic development organizations, our faculty, staff, and students, the MSU Research Foundation, as well as leaders and community members in the areas where we work and live.
Reflecting on the accomplishments of the prior year, we, collectively, have achieved what once seemed only possible in our aspirations. On behalf of MSU and all our partners, we are proud of the accomplishments we’ve made together.
- Faculty Engagement & Discovery: This year saw record highs in faculty involvement and the disclosure of new innovations to our pipeline, strengthening our foundation for future discoveries.
- Student Entrepreneurship: Our Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation ranked #11 nationally and celebrated its fourth consecutive year in the top 25.
- Startup Pipeline: The number of startup companies based on faculty innovations reached an all-time high, demonstrating the real-world impact of MSU research.
- Community Impact: The 15th annual Innovation Celebration welcomed a record 460 attendees and was just one event in the first-ever community-wide 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week, comprising 21 individual gatherings and events across our region.
- Venture Funding: Red Cedar Ventures, the venture investing subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation, has launched its sixth fund, a $10 million partnership with Henry Ford Health. Additionally, the Michigan Rise fund has secured a $10.6 million MEDC investment for the Evergreen fund, fueling the next wave of innovation.
- Translational Research: Nearly $2M in grants from our MEDC and MSURF-sponsored translational research funding programs helped faculty bridge the gap from visionary ideas to practical, market-ready solutions.
This year’s annual report offers just a glimpse into the great diversity of projects and programs that moved novel ideas toward real-world impact, highlighting a fraction of the stories of success that have emerged from this great MSU innovation ecosystem. Each success is a testament to the power of collaboration among our faculty, students, corporate partners, and the many communities we serve.
Year after year, I am inspired by our researchers’ curiosity and resilience, by our students’ boundless ingenuity, and the unwavering support of our industry partners, alums, and friends.
As we look to 2026 and beyond, our mission remains steadfast: to amplify the impact of MSU’s research and creativity, foster economic growth, and contribute to a better world. We are committed to scaling our efforts, embracing bold ideas, and ensuring that our work reflects the values of innovation, integrity, and inclusivity that define MSU.
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. I invite you to explore this year’s annual report and join us in celebrating the milestones we achieved together in 2025.
With gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead,
Charles A. Hasemann, Ph.D., Associate VP for Innovation & Economic Development