MSU Research Foundation

Chronic total occlusions—arteries that have become completely blocked over time—are among the most difficult procedures to treat in interventional cardiology. But what if more physicians could successfully perform them? Our latest Startup Spotlight from the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Innovation Hub looks at how Dr. Khaldoon Alaswad, an interventional cardiologist at Henry Ford Health and professor at Michigan State University, turned years of clinical experience into TruVue, a medical device designed to help physicians treat complex blockages with greater precision. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/45uhTy4

The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund has announced its first two investments, supporting LightHearted AI and M3D, two early-stage companies developing technologies to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. LightHearted AI is developing a non-invasive technology to help detect heart valve disease, while M3D is advancing radiation imaging technologies designed to improve safety, treatment accuracy, and clinical workflows. Launched in 2025 with an initial $10 million commitment from Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, and the MSU Research Foundation, the Innovation Fund supports early-stage healthcare companies and the broader Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences partnership. Read more:https://bit.ly/4xaIDPU

Executive Director of Research Parks Jeffrey Jothum Smith recently joined Christopher J Buck, CEcD on the Michigan Reimagined podcast to discuss the Rosenberg Center and what it means for research, innovation, and collaboration at MSU and beyond. The conversation explores the vision behind the center, which will serve as the MSU Research Foundation's new headquarters and bring innovators together under one roof with more opportunities to connect and collaborate. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rf8fvY

Whether you're preparing to pitch, building in mobility, or growing your network, we've got several opportunities coming up. Join us for free events in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, and live online. See what's coming up: https://bit.ly/4m6FtYq

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Street Food Connect! Events like this remind us of the value of bringing Michigan's innovation ecosystem together to share ideas, strengthen relationships, and spark new opportunities. A special thank you to our vendors, La Fajita, Snow Stars, and The Wild Pony, for serving our community at Street Food Connect! Check out all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/4m6FtYq

Registration is now open for the 2026 Mobility Summit, co-hosted by the MSU Research Foundation and MSU Mobility. The event brings together the people advancing Michigan's mobility ecosystem from research and startups to industry, investment, defense, and public policy. Throughout the day, participants will explore the technologies, partnerships, and supply chains driving the next generation of mobility. The agenda includes: • Expert panels on autonomous, aerial, and next-generation mobility • Research showcases highlighting technologies ready for industry engagement • Discussions on advanced manufacturing, supply chains, and national competitiveness • Expo and networking opportunities The summit is designed to strengthen collaboration, accelerate commercialization, and create new opportunities across Michigan's innovation economy. WHEN: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 WHERE: Graduate East Lansing Hotel Register: https://bit.ly/4ynTVBQ Michigan Economic Development Corporation | Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office | Waymo

Whether you're building in mobility, growing your network, or bringing a MedTech innovation to market, we've got a few opportunities coming up this month. Join us for free events in East Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Detroit. See what's coming up: https://bit.ly/4m6FtYq

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 PitchMI competitions! Michigan-based startups will compete in four semifinal competitions across the state, with $250,000 in prize funding awarded to each winner, plus a chance to compete in the statewide PitchMI Championship for an additional $1 million. This year’s semifinal competitions represent Michigan’s strengths in Defense & Aerospace (Grand Rapids); AI & Software (Kalamazoo); Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, & Outdoors (Marquette); and Healthcare & Life Sciences (Detroit). If you’re building a high-growth startup in Michigan, learn more and apply at PitchMI.org MSU Research Foundation | Michigan Economic Development Corporation

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Several MSU Research Foundation portfolio companies were recently featured in grant awards, national media, and product highlights: • Intero Biosystems was awarded more than $2 million in Phase II SBIR funding from the The National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). : https://bit.ly/4vuJ5Y4 • Protein Pints was featured by Target in a video highlighting the company's journey and mission to make healthier ice cream more accessible: https://bit.ly/4b0sqUU • Kall Morris Inc was featured in the New York Post, highlighting the company's work to recover space debris: https://bit.ly/4pkm1K2 • Motion Sync won the pitch competition at the Michigan Inventors Coalition Summit for its patented PREACT technology, designed to help reduce motion sickness by providing preemptive motion cues for passengers: https://bit.ly/4fGyJyH Explore the full MSU Research Foundation portfolio: https://bit.ly/3H307cA

Applications for two Conquer Accelerator fall cohorts are now open! • Conquer Grand Rapids Accelerator powered by Grand Rapids SmartZone: Open to West Michigan startups in any industry. • Conquer EdTech Accelerator powered by Michigan Virtual: Open to early-stage education technology companies. Our Conquer Accelerator programs support early-stage startups as they move from early traction to growth through mentorship, capital, and direct connections across our network. Apply here: https://bit.ly/44QkAcA