Page 22 - October 2023 FOCUS Magazine

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
50 YEARS OF IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS

enabled GLCT to set up an office – an important part for The Research Foundation’s venture team is geared
winning federal grant support. Later, Red Cedar Ventures towards providing support to startups at all stages of their
and Michigan Rise participated in a very significant development. Spartan Innovations works with faculty and
way in GLCT’s second and third round of financing students with an idea by providing programming and
which enabled GLCT to set up their R&D laboratory at consulting services as well as smaller amounts of funding.
the Van Camp Incubator and to set up their Prototype Once a startup has demonstrated it is ready to advance
Manufacturing Plant in the Alliance Building, both to the next level, Red Cedar Ventures can potentially
properties owned by the Foundation. invest larger amounts of funding. Michigan Rise provides
additional funding options using funds from both the
“We have a growing footprint in Michigan, and it has all Foundation and MEDC.
been enabled by MSU Research Foundation and support
from others,” said Dr. Evans. “Every piece of it seems to feed into the other piece,” said
Cowen. “We now have many more angel funds we can
Dr. Evans says the deep support provided by the MSU tap into. We give them ideas. They give us ideas. It really
Research Foundation goes well beyond the financing. has grown into a supportive ecosystem that spreads
They brought in consultants and introduced the GLCT across those three entities.”
team to key people. They also give regular seminars.
FOUNDATION REAL ESTATE
“They helped us understand all the state and local vehicles SPURS GROWTH
for support,” said Dr. Evans. “Some would bring in funds The Foundation owns and manages real estate holdings
straight into the company and some would bring in in and around the Michigan State University campus that
funds through third parties. They continue to be a great provide spaces for their startup companies and corporation
supporter with regular calls and introductions to all sorts innovations partners at Michigan State University. In the late
of potential investors and business partners.” 1980s, the Research Foundation was charged with building

MSU Research Foundation OVER THE YEARS

1973: Board of Directors holds inaugural meeting at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, establishing fundraising and support for
faculty research projects as its primary focus. Foundation establishes banking with American Bank and Trust Company in Lansing
and engages Ann Arbor Trust Company to oversee asset management.

1974: Introduction of Planned Giving provides a path for various donation methods including bequests, trusts, and
appreciated securities. Funding allocation is directed towards scientific research, exploration, and an artist-in-residence
program featuring the Julliard Quartet.
1979: Foundation 1983: $114,000 1989: Neogen,
receives its first royalty Foundation grant goes public on the
check from Cisplatin, results in the Nasdaq exchange,
a life-saving cancer establishment of the increasing value
drug developed by Center for Composite of Foundation
Barnett Rosenberg Materials and investment.
and Loretta VanCamp. Structures.

1977: Dr. Wharton 1978: Foundation- 1982: 1988: 1991:
introduces the Capital sponsored “Atlas of Foundation makes MSU Himont
Enrichment Campaign, Michigan” publication initial investment in Board of Advanced
aimed at securing funds sets the stage for Neogen, a startup Trustees Materials
for a new Performing establishment of the that aids in the transfers 115 becomes
Arts Center, enhanced Cartographic Research commercialization acres of land to the primary
museum and library and Spatial Analysis of biotech research the Foundation tenant in the
facilities, and establishing Center. Further funding findings from MSU, to facilitate new University
endowed chairs. supports an international part of the Biotech creation of a Corporate
study focused on Corporation Plan. research park. Research Park.
anti-cancer drugs.

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