In celebration of National Entrepreneurship Month, we shine a spotlight on the innovative spirit thriving at Michigan State University (MSU). The university is a fertile ground for entrepreneurial success, from groundbreaking technologies developed in MSU’s cutting-edge research labs to dynamic startups founded by visionary faculty members. These ventures exemplify the ingenuity and dedication of the Spartan community and contribute significantly to the local and global economy. Join us as we explore the inspiring journeys of these MSU-affiliated startups, showcasing how they transform ideas into impactful realities.
Iaso Therapeutics
Iaso Therapeutics, an East Lansing-based startup, is developing the Q-Beta vaccine delivery platform, a nanoparticle-sized technology with the potential to treat a wide range of diseases, from cancers to infections and opioid addiction. Founded by Dr. Xuefei Huang from MSU, the company leverages the Q-Beta platform’s unique ability to stimulate strong and lasting immune responses. Supported by MSU Technologies and the MSU Research Foundation, Iaso Therapeutics has secured patents and funding to advance this groundbreaking research. The Q-Beta platform’s versatility and stability, even without refrigeration, promise to improve global vaccine access and efficacy.
Read the full story here: A New Tool to Fight Cancer, Infections, Addiction.
Great Lakes Crystal Technologies
Great Lakes Crystal Technologies (GLCT) exemplifies the power of collaboration and support within Michigan State University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founded by Dr. Timothy Grotjohn and Dr. Keith Evans, the startup focuses on developing diamond materials for advanced electronic applications, leveraging MSU’s extensive research in diamond synthesis. With significant backing from Spartan Innovations and Red Cedar Ventures, GLCT has secured over $1 million in federal grants and is now collaborating with a multi-billion-dollar company to commercialize its high-tech diamond technologies. This success story highlights how MSU’s integrated support system accelerates the commercialization of groundbreaking research, driving economic growth and technological innovation.
Read the full story here: Startup Success: Great Lakes Crystal Technologies
RedoxBlox
RedoxBlox, named the 2024 MSU Startup of the Year, is revolutionizing energy storage technology with innovations developed at Michigan State University. Founded by Professor James F. Klausner and his team, RedoxBlox’s technology efficiently stores excess renewable energy or generated heat and releases it as high-temperature air or electricity on demand. This breakthrough aims to decarbonize industrial heat and grid storage, addressing significant carbon emissions. Supported by MSU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including Spartan Innovations and Red Cedar Ventures, RedoxBlox has secured substantial funding and partnerships, positioning it to make a significant impact on the energy industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Read the full story here: MSU Startup Advances Transition to Sustainable Energy Solutions
Tarn Biosciences
Dr. Rob Abramovitch, an associate professor at MSU, has founded Tarn Biosciences to develop new therapies for tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections. Despite the significant global impact of TB, current treatments are lengthy and have severe side effects. Abramovitch’s research, supported by MSU Technologies and Spartan Innovations, aims to address these challenges by identifying new therapeutic targets. Tarn Biosciences has secured initial funding from Red Cedar Ventures and Spartan Innovations, and recently received a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the NIH. This funding will help advance their drug discovery efforts, with the goal of developing shorter, more effective treatment regimens for TB and NTM infections.
Read the full story here: From Lab to Marketplace: MSU Startup Tarn Biosciences Takes Aim at TB.
Enspired Solutions
PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a significant environmental concern due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, with 97% of Americans having PFAS in their bodies. Enspired Solutions, founded by Dr. Denise Kay and Dr. Meng Wang, aims to eliminate PFAS using innovative technology. Their flagship product, the PFASigator™, effectively destroys PFAS in water, breaking them down into non-toxic components. Supported by MSU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Enspired Solutions has secured funding and resources to advance their mission. Their technology, which is safe, effective, and cost-efficient, holds promise for addressing PFAS contamination and contributing to cleaner water.
Read the full story here: East Lansing Startup Tackles “Forever Chemicals” with Innovative Technology.
EeroQ
EeroQ, a Chicago-based startup, is working to make large-scale quantum computing a reality, leveraging technology developed at Michigan State University (MSU). Co-founded by MSU’s Johannes Pollanen and Nick Farina, EeroQ focuses on using trapped electrons in a vacuum to build quantum computers. This approach promises to solve complex computational problems in fields like cryptography, cybersecurity, optimization, and drug development. EeroQ’s unique trapped electron technology, initially proposed by MSU’s Mark Dykman, offers advantages such as long coherence times and high qubit connectivity. With significant progress and support from MSU, EeroQ aims to have a commercial device ready within a few years, potentially revolutionizing computing and various industries.
Read the full story here: Making Large-Scale Quantum Computing a Reality
Indapta Therapeutics
Indapta Therapeutics, founded in 2016, is pioneering cancer treatments using Natural Killer (NK) cells, specifically a subset called g-NK cells discovered at MSU. These g-NK cells, combined with monoclonal antibodies, show promising anti-tumor effects and are well-tolerated in early trials. Unlike current immune cell therapies, Indapta’s approach uses g-NK cells from healthy donors, which can be stored and administered as needed, offering a more efficient and less side-effect-prone treatment. With significant investment and support, including a $60 million Series A round, Indapta is aiming to revolutionize cancer treatment with their innovative therapies.
Read the full story here: MSU Discoveries Paving the Way for New Immunotherapy Cancer Treatments.
Portera Therapeutics
Portera Therapeutics, a biotech startup originating from Michigan State University’s Department of Chemistry, exemplifies the power of MSU’s Innovation Center ecosystem. Founded by former MSU Professor Jetze Tepe, Ph.D., Portera focuses on developing therapeutics for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by targeting disordered proteins. With initial funding from MSU’s Drug Discovery Center and subsequent NIH grants, the startup gained momentum. Key support from MSU Technologies, Spartan Innovations, and Red Cedar Ventures facilitated Portera’s formation and success in securing seed funding through the AbbVie Innovation Midwest Award. This collaborative effort underscores MSU’s commitment to transforming groundbreaking research into viable commercial ventures.
Read the full story here: More Than the Sum of Its Parts.
About the MSU Innovation Center:
The MSU Innovation Center combines research partnerships, technology transfer, and startup support for MSU faculty who aim to see their research applied to make the world a better place.
Composed of Business Connect, MSU Technologies, and Spartan Innovations, the MSU Innovation Center aims to amplify the impact of faculty research and drive economic growth while positively impacting society to solve real-world challenges with cutting-edge ideas.
Through mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships with the private sector, we connect MSU faculty with companies for corporate-sponsored research collaborations. We also play a key role in facilitating the commercialization and public use of technologies and copyrightable materials, moving MSU’s innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Importantly, we provide significant support for faculty entrepreneurs in establishing startup companies based on technologies developed at MSU.