Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, joins the Michigan Venture Capital Association board to advance Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (Jan. 17, 2025) — The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) announced the appointment of Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the Michigan State University Research Foundation, to its Board of Directors.
Wesley brings extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship to the MVCA board. At the MSU Research Foundation, he oversees Red Cedar Ventures and the Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III, supporting Michigan startups with strategic early-stage investments.
“I’m honored to join the MVCA board and work alongside such accomplished industry leaders,” said Wesley. “Michigan’s venture capital ecosystem is growing in exciting ways, and I look forward to contributing to MVCA’s mission of strengthening our state’s role as a hub for innovation and investment. The combination of university innovation and venture capital creates powerful opportunities for Michigan’s economy.”
Under Wesley’s leadership, the MSU Research Foundation’s venture programs have deployed over $41 million across more than 200 active portfolio companies, catalyzing over $1 billion in co-investment capital. The portfolio has achieved 23 successful exits, while maintaining a strong commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship with 44 percent of portfolio companies having diverse founders.
Wesley’s appointment comes as MVCA transitions its board leadership, with Kim Pasquino of Wakestream Ventures stepping in as board chair, succeeding Patti Glaza of ID Ventures. Alison Todak, Principal at Plymouth Growth, also joins the board.
“Jeff’s brings valuable expertise and a fresh perspective to our organization,” said Ara Topouzian, CEO of MVCA. “His experience leading multiple university-affiliated funds and his dedication to advancing Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem align perfectly with MVCA’s goal of creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs across the state.”
The Michigan Venture Capital Association is a nonprofit trade organization representing over 100 investors and entrepreneurial support organizations. It helps build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports high-growth companies and strengthens Michigan’s economy through advocacy, education, and resources. For more information, visit michiganvca.org.
This story was originally published by the MSU Research Foundation.
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.