MSU Startup Milestones
Startup Milestones: Building the Future from MSU Innovation
Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful ways MSU turns discovery into impact. When Spartan researchers, students and partners launch companies, their ideas move beyond the lab and into the marketplace, where they can strengthen industries, improve lives, create jobs and help address urgent challenges in health, agriculture, energy, advanced computing, education and more. This year’s startup milestones show that momentum in action: companies connected to MSU reported new funding, regulatory progress, commercial partnerships, product launches, national recognitions and technical breakthroughs, from robotic apple harvesting and cardiovascular monitoring to quantum computing, grid modernization, sustainable agriculture and next-generation therapeutics. Explore the updates below to see how MSU-affiliated startups across our full portfolio are building companies, advancing technologies and making a difference in Michigan and around the world.
Advertent Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Advertent Biotherapeutics is advancing ADA-011, an experimental therapy undergoing long-term efficacy, toxicology and other studies needed to support future regulatory review. The company is working to move promising preclinical research toward a potential new treatment, supported by expanded laboratory capabilities, manufacturing preparation and regulatory work. Its approach has attracted federal funding and recognition from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, although the document does not specify ADA-011’s exact disease target or mechanism.
July 2025: $1.29 million NIH SBIR Phase II award.
The award supports long-term efficacy studies, toxicology work and other IND-enabling activities for ADA-011.
Sources: SBIR Award Detail
2025: Completed pre-seed financing round
Advertent reported that its syndicated pre-seed financing would support several company-building priorities, including laboratory expansion, hiring, GMP manufacturing and regulatory work.
Sources: Advertent Bio News
2026: Selected for MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference oral presentation
Advertent reports that it was selected to give an oral presentation sharing new preclinical data at the 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinical & Scientific Conference.
Sources: Advertent Bio News
AgriDynamics Robotics, Inc.
AgriDynamics Robotics is commercializing an MSU-developed robotic apple harvester designed to help growers automate a demanding and labor-intensive part of fruit production. Its AI-enabled system uses two robotic arms, distinguishing it from single-arm harvesting approaches and allowing it to more closely replicate the coordinated movement of human pickers. The technology was recognized as MSU’s 2026 Innovation of the Year.
2025: Company formed around MSU robotic-harvesting technology
Zhaojian Li and Kyle Lammers co-founded AgriDynamics Robotics to commercialize an AI-enabled, dual-arm robotic apple harvester which they developed at MSU.
Sources: MSU Innovation Center
Oct.–Dec. 2025: Joined MSU Research Foundation incubator facilities
The MSU Research Foundation identified AgriDynamics Robotics among the startups joining the Technology Innovation Center in East Lansing during the fourth quarter of 2025.
Sources: MSU Research Foundation
Apr 2026: Received MSU Innovation of the Year recognition
MSU recognized the dual-arm robotic apple-harvesting technology as its 2026 Innovation of the Year.
Sources: MSU Innovation Center
CiBO Technologies, Inc. / Terion
CiBO Technologies, now part of Terion, developed digital infrastructure that helps agricultural businesses measure, monitor and scale sustainable farming practices across fields and supply chains. Its data and analytics supported regenerative-agriculture programs, conservation initiatives, responsible sourcing, low-carbon fuel traceability and regulatory compliance. The platform’s distinguishing features included early crop-identification data, agricultural-practice monitoring and an open architecture supporting third-party ecosystem-service models.
Mar 11, 2025: Announced open-platform integration for third-party ecosystem-service models
CiBO announced an open-platform integration intended to support third-party ecosystem-services models.
Sources: PR Newswire company index
Sep 30, 2025: Joined $14M USDA-supported conservation collaboration
CiBO and Sand County Foundation announced participation in a $14 million Regional Conservation Partnership Program effort in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Sources: CiBO Press Releases
Oct 9, 2025: Released 2025 Crop ID data ahead of USDA availability
CiBO announced availability of its 2025 Crop ID data six months ahead of USDA data.
Sources: CiBO Resources
Dec 10, 2025: Introduced CIBO Practice ID
CiBO introduced Practice ID to streamline agricultural-practice monitoring.
Sources: CiBO Resources
Feb 10, 2026: Supported Nutrien sustainable-agriculture programs
CiBO announced that its data and analytics platform would help power Nutrien sustainable-agriculture programs.
Sources: CiBO Press Releases
Mar 5, 2026: Expanded regenerative-agriculture work with Primient
CiBO announced that its data and analytics would support Primient’s regenerative-agriculture scale-up.
Sources: CiBO Press Releases
Mar 17, 2026: Partnered with Verity on 45Z compliance
Verity and CiBO announced an end-to-end 45Z compliance solution for biofuel producers.
Sources: CiBO Press Releases
Mar 18, 2026: Named to THRIVE Top 50 AgTech list
CiBO was named to the THRIVE Top 50 AgTech list for the fifth consecutive year.
Sources: CiBO announcement
Mar 31, 2026: Began three-year responsible-sourcing partnership with Ingredion
CiBO and Ingredion announced a three-year strategic partnership to scale regenerative agriculture and responsible-sourcing data across supply chains.
Sources: CiBO Press Releases
Apr 13, 2026: Expanded modeling to spring canola and grazed cropland
CiBO announced expanded modeling capabilities covering spring canola and grazed cropland.
Sources: CiBO Resources
May 11, 2026: Partnered with Gevo North Dakota for low-carbon fuel traceability
CiBO announced a partnership with Gevo North Dakota focused on low-carbon fuel traceability.
Sources: CiBO Resources
Jun 18, 2026: Combined with Indigo Ag’s Source business to form Terion
Flagship Pioneering combined CiBO with Indigo Ag’s Source business to form Terion, positioning the successor company around digital infrastructure for agriculture.
Sources: Flagship Pioneering
Cogrounded, Inc.
Cogrounded helps educators translate practical knowledge into curricula, educational programs and published works. The company addresses gaps in traditional academic publishing and workforce preparation by creating additional pathways for educator-authored ideas to reach schools, professionals and general readers. Its model combines publishing with program delivery, including an exclusive Michigan partnership supporting MSU-developed workforce-preparation curricula.
2025: Released first educator-authored trade book
The Golden Waffle Principle marked Cogrounded’s first release beyond formal curricula and educational programs.
Sources: MSU Research Foundation
2025–26 school year: Established SuccessABILITY delivery partnership
Cogrounded established an exclusive Michigan delivery partnership for the MSU-developed ASSET and EPASS workforce-preparation curricula.
Sources: Cogrounded
EeroQ Corporation
EeroQ is developing a quantum-computing system based on electrons floating above superfluid helium. The company is addressing major barriers to scaling quantum computers, including the difficulty of controlling large numbers of qubits without an unmanageable number of physical wires. Its distinctive architecture combines electrons on helium with commercially fabricated CMOS technology, reduced control-line requirements and AI-enabled laboratory workflows, supported by multiple peer-reviewed technical demonstrations.
Apr 23, 2025: Named MSU Startup of the Year
EeroQ was named Michigan State University’s 2025 Startup of the Year.
Sources: PR Newswire EeroQ index
Oct 3, 2025: Published single-electron control results in Physical Review X
EeroQ announced peer-reviewed results demonstrating sensing and control of individual electrons above superfluid helium at temperatures above 1 kelvin, adding technical validation for its electron-on-helium quantum-computing approach.
Sources: EeroQ Press Releases
Dec 4, 2025–May 27, 2026: Received strategic backing from SEALSQ
SEALSQ made strategic investments and later agreed to lead EeroQ’s next financing round.
Sources: SEALSQ
Jan 15, 2026: Demonstrated architecture addressing the quantum “wire problem”
EeroQ reported electron transport across its Wonder Lake CMOS chip using a reduced wiring architecture and described a path to controlling roughly one million electrons with fewer than 50 physical control lines. The scaling statement is company-reported.
Sources: PR Newswire
Apr 14, 2026: Demonstrated AI-enabled autonomous quantum-lab workflow
EeroQ and Conductor Quantum connected NVIDIA Ising and Conductor AI models to experiments on EeroQ hardware, creating a functional proof of concept for an autonomous quantum-computing laboratory.
Sources: EeroQ
Jun 16, 2026: Reported first strong coupling to an electron charge qubit on helium
EeroQ announced the first demonstration of strong coupling between a microwave photon and the charge-qubit state of an electron on helium; the work was peer reviewed and published in Nature Physics.
Sources: PR Newswire
Jul 9, 2026: Electron-shuttling results published in Physical Review Applied
Peer-reviewed results validated selective two-dimensional transport of electrons on helium using a commercially fabricated CMOS control platform.
Sources: EeroQ News
Aug 11, 2026: Named to inaugural Allied Defense 100
EeroQ was included in Future Union’s inaugural Allied Defense 100 in the Sensing, Spectrum & Advanced Compute category.
Sources: EeroQ Press Releases
Great Lakes Crystal Technologies, Inc.
Great Lakes Crystal Technologies produces high-performance, single-crystal diamond materials for advanced electronics, quantum sensing, optical, thermal and biomedical applications. The company is addressing the need for larger, manufacturing-ready diamond substrates that can withstand demanding operating conditions and enable emerging technologies. Its portfolio spans substrates, plates, wafers and specialized diamond categories, complemented by prototyping and co-development services for customers with highly specific material requirements
Jan 17, 2025: Received $2.7M National Security Innovation Capital award
GLCT received $2.7 million from National Security Innovation Capital to advance manufacturing readiness for large-area, high-performance single-crystal diamond substrates.
Sources: GLCT Company News
Jan 29, 2025: Quantum-sensor work recognized by QED-C report
GLCT reported recognition in a Quantum Economic Development Consortium report concerning quantum sensors and biomedical technologies.
Sources: GLCT News
Apr 15, 2026: Expanded diamond product portfolio
GLCT introduced refined optical, quantum, thermal, electronics and doped-diamond categories, together with prototyping and co-development services.
Sources: GLCT
Jul 21, 2026: Announced scaling of semiconductor-grade diamond platform
GLCT announced that it was scaling production of semiconductor-grade diamond substrates, plates and wafers for advanced electronics applications.
Sources: GLCT News
IASO Therapeutics, Inc.
IASO Therapeutics is developing the mQβ synthetic-vaccine platform to support the creation of new vaccines. Rather than focusing on a single product, the company is building a platform that could provide a foundation for multiple vaccine applications. The document identifies the synthetic nature of the technology as a distinguishing characteristic, but it does not provide additional details about the diseases targeted or how the platform compares with existing vaccine-development methods.
Mar 31, 2026: Presented at World Vaccine Congress Innovator Showcase
IASO was selected for the World Vaccine Congress Innovator Showcase, where it presented its mQβ synthetic-vaccine platform and commercial strategy.
Sources: PR Newswire
Indapta Therapeutics, Inc.
Indapta Therapeutics is developing an allogeneic natural killer cell therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that can become resistant to existing treatments. Its approach uses donor-derived immune cells in combination with other therapies, potentially providing an alternative to treatments that must be individually manufactured from a patient’s own cells. The company has advanced the therapy into Phase 1/2 clinical evaluation and reported early clinical activity at a studied dose level.
Oct 14, 2025: Reported approximately $50.8M in equity financing
A Form D summary reported $50,800,176 sold in an offering.
Sources: Form D summary
Nov 7, 2025: Presented Phase 1/2 clinical activity in multiple myeloma
Indapta reported Phase 1/2 clinical activity in multiple myeloma, including confirmed responses in four of five evaluable patients at the reported dose level in combination with isatuximab, with no dose-limiting toxicities reported.
Sources: Business Wire
IORA Nature Tech, Inc.
IORA Nature Tech is commercializing an MSU-developed platform that measures carbon at the level of individual trees. The technology addresses the need for more detailed and credible carbon accounting in forestry, conservation and carbon markets, where broad estimates may not fully capture conditions on the ground. Its distinctive approach combines high-resolution imagery with deep learning to produce tree-level measurements rather than relying solely on larger-area assessments.
2025: Company formed around MSU developed tree-level carbon-accounting platform
IORA Nature Tech’s U.S. launched its tree-level carbon-accounting platform, which uses high-resolution imagery and deep learning to measure carbon at the individual-tree level.
Sources: MSU Innovation Center
Jetfire Power, LLC
Jetfire Power is developing an advanced combustion system intended to improve the fuel economy of two-stroke engines. The technology addresses the high fuel consumption associated with engines used in applications where lightweight, compact power systems remain important. Its differentiator is a redesigned combustion approach that produced an approximately 41% fuel-economy improvement at two operating points during initial dynamometer testing, although those early results should not be interpreted as production-performance claims.
Apr 7, 2025: Demonstrated two-stroke fuel-economy improvement in initial testing
Initial dynamometer testing with Cobra AERO reported approximately 41% fuel-economy improvement at two operating points using the Jetfire combustion system. The result is initial testing, not a production-performance claim.
Sources: Jetfire Power
Jolt Energy Storage Technologies, LLC
Jolt Energy Storage Technologies is an energy-storage company whose work has been recognized for its potential connection to ocean health and a regenerative blue economy. Its inclusion in the 1000 Ocean Startups network suggests that its technology is intended to address energy or sustainability challenges relevant to marine environments. However, the document does not describe Jolt’s underlying technology, the specific problem it solves or what differentiates its approach from other energy-storage systems.
Jun 3, 2026: Recognized by 1000 Ocean Startups
Jolt reported selection for the 1000 Ocean Startups network, a recognition tied to solutions supporting ocean health and a regenerative blue economy.
Sources: Jolt News
Tempo (formerly RedoxBlox, Inc.)
Tempo, formerly known as RedoxBlox, is developing thermochemical systems that support the electrification of industrial heat. The company addresses the challenge of replacing conventional, emissions-intensive heat sources in industrial processes that require dependable energy at high temperatures. Its technology uses thermochemical energy storage, and the company is expanding its ability to develop materials, engineer systems, assemble prototypes and test full-scale products as it moves toward commercial production.
Mar 31, 2026: Rebranded from RedoxBlox to Tempo
The company adopted the Tempo name as it described a transition toward commercial scaling of thermochemical industrial-heat systems.
Sources: Tempo
Jun 11, 2026: Opened 35,000-square-foot San Diego headquarters
Tempo opened a 35,000-square-foot San Diego headquarters designed to support materials development, engineering, prototype assembly and full-scale product testing.
Sources: Tempo
Retia Medical, LLC
Retia Medical develops cardiovascular-monitoring technology for high-risk surgical and critical-care environments. Its Argos products help clinicians measure cardiac output and extend cardiovascular intelligence across operating rooms, intensive-care units, health systems and tele-ICU settings. The company’s approach is distinguished by software-based monitoring capabilities, including work toward non-invasive cardiac-output measurement, that could reduce reliance on more invasive monitoring methods while making information available across care environments.
Apr 24, 2025: Entered exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Medtronic
Retia entered an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with Medtronic, making the Argos cardiac-output monitor available through Medtronic’s Acute Care Monitoring portfolio.
Sources: Medtronic
Feb 17, 2026: Received FDA 510(k) clearance for Argos Infinity
Retia announced FDA clearance for Argos Infinity, extending its cardiovascular-intelligence software to health-system and tele-ICU environments.
Sources: PR Newswire
May 1, 2026: Presented first public non-invasive algorithm results
Retia reported a prospective 47-patient study with 145 analyzable paired measurements comparing its software with pulmonary-artery catheter thermodilution and an approved minimally invasive comparator.
Sources: PR Newswire
Jun 5, 2026: Expanded Medtronic distribution relationship to Western Europe
Retia announced expansion of Argos distribution into Western European operating rooms and intensive-care units.
Sources: PR Newswire
Sit Sense Inc.
Sit Sense is developing an automated pressure-redistribution recliner designed to help prevent pressure injuries among hospital patients and others who remain seated for extended periods. The technology addresses a persistent care challenge by automatically changing how pressure is distributed, rather than depending entirely on caregivers or occupants to reposition themselves. The company is also developing a next-generation recliner intended to accommodate a wider range of body sizes.
Apr 2025: Named MSU Innovation of the Year
MSU honored the automated pressure-redistribution recliner as its 2025 Innovation of the Year.
Sources: MSUToday
2026: Received $1.5M NSF SBIR award
Lansing Regional SmartZone reported that Sit Sense received a $1.5 million NSF SBIR award to develop a next-generation recliner supporting a wider range of occupant sizes.
Sources: Lansing Regional SmartZone
Switched Source LLC
Switched Source develops power-grid technology that helps utilities use existing distribution infrastructure more effectively. Its Phase-EQ system addresses constraints that can limit grid capacity, reliability and the integration of changing energy resources. Rather than requiring utilities to immediately rebuild major portions of the grid, the company’s technology provides more active control over power flows within existing networks, with installations operating across multiple U.S. utility territories.
Mar 20, 2025: Announced $5M manufacturing-facility investment
Switched Source announced a 20,000-square-foot Chicagoland facility expected to increase manufacturing capacity by 150%.
Sources: Switched Source News
Oct 1, 2025: Announced Georgia Phase-EQ deployment
An ARPA-E-supported Phase-EQ installation advanced utility field validation in Georgia.
Sources: Switched Source News
Jan 20, 2026: Reported 60% growth in U.S. installations during 2025
The company reported units operating across more than ten utility service areas and territories serving approximately 10,000 homes and businesses.
Sources: Business Wire
Apr 16, 2026: Named MSU Startup of the Year
MSU recognized Switched Source’s commercial advancement as its 2026 Startup of the Year
Sources: MSU Innovation Center
Tarn Biosciences, Inc.
Tarn Biosciences is developing new drug candidates for tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. The company is addressing diseases that remain difficult to treat and require additional therapeutic options. Its work focuses on optimizing HC2210 analogs, supported by early proof-of-concept findings in a mouse model, although the document does not provide enough information to explain the compound’s mechanism or how it differs from existing antibiotics.
Aug 21, 2025: Received $298,829 NIH STTR Phase I award
The NIH STTR Phase I award supports optimization of HC2210 analogs for tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections; the government record also reports favorable mouse-model proof-of-concept data.
Sources: SBIR.gov
Will Winn Games Inc.
Will Winn Games is an independent game studio creating original titles for console and PC audiences. The company develops games across different themes and formats, including Plunder Panic, Cozy Cult and Human Resources, helping bring new entertainment experiences to an increasingly competitive marketplace. Its recent work demonstrates a multiplatform approach, including making Plunder Panic available on Nintendo Switch 2 on the system’s launch day.
Jun 5, 2025: Made Plunder Panic available on Nintendo Switch 2 at launch
The studio made Plunder Panic available on Nintendo Switch 2 on the platform’s first day.
Sources: Will Winn Games
Nov 9, 2025: Released new game Cozy Cult
Steam records the release of Cozy Cult in November 2025.
Sources: Steam curator
Jun 10, 2026: Released public demo for Human Resources
Steam records release of the Human Resources demo in June 2026.
Sources: Steam curator
XProteome, Inc.
XProteome is commercializing an MSU-developed deep-plasma proteomics platform designed to improve the discovery of proteins associated with disease. Finding meaningful biomarkers in blood is difficult because abundant proteins can obscure lower-level signals with important diagnostic or therapeutic value. XProteome’s distinctive platform combines nanoparticle protein-corona enrichment, artificial intelligence and causality analysis to examine plasma more deeply and identify proteins that may contribute to disease.
Jul 22, 2025: Launched company and deep-plasma proteomics platform
XProteome launched around an MSU-developed deep-plasma proteomics platform that combines nanoparticle protein-corona enrichment, AI and causality analysis to support biomarker discovery.
Sources: Diagnostics World