Notable portfolio companies include 86 Repairs, Akadeum Life Sciences, and Genomenon, among others. The firm is led by key decision-makers affiliated with the MSU Research Foundation, bringing extensive experience and resources to the table. Michigan Rise offers unique value-add services such as strategic guidance and access to a robust network within the state's tech ecosystem, enhancing the growth potential of their portfolio companies.
Portfolio Snapshot
Portfolio activity breakdown across disclosed investments and stages
Michigan Rise, a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Research Foundation, focuses on investing in tech startups across Michigan to foster economic development. The firm primarily engages in pre-seed and seed funding rounds but also participates in Series A and beyond. Their investment strategy is centered around commercializing innovative technologies developed by Michigan's brightest tech entrepreneurs.
Series C1 (1.4%)
Stage Mix
Seed 60%Pre-Seed 18%Series A 14%Series B 7%Series C 1%
Concentration shown as share of disclosed investments by stage.
PitchMI Partnership Earns 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Statewide Startup Competition
The Zell Founders Fund is a seed-stage investment fund focused on supporting University of Michigan students in their final year of undergraduate or graduate programs. Operating under the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the fund aims to provide financial backing and entrepreneurial resources to innovative ventures within the state of Michigan.
The BELLE Michigan Fund, LP is an early stage investment fund building great companies in Michigan, the Midwest, and other regions. We provide a premier source of human and financial capital to women-led companies. We look for capital-efficient enterprises with a unique product or service that fill an urgent market need. BELLE Michigan partners believe human capital is just as valuable as financial capital. We seek investments in high growth, capital efficient and scalable enterprises that welcome our expertise and insight, and seek to leverage our leadership and experience.
The Zell Founders Fund is a seed-stage investment fund focused on supporting University of Michigan students in their final year of undergraduate or graduate programs. Operating under the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the fund aims to provide financial backing and entrepreneurial resources to innovative ventures within the state of Michigan.
The BELLE Michigan Fund, LP is an early stage investment fund building great companies in Michigan, the Midwest, and other regions. We provide a premier source of human and financial capital to women-led companies. We look for capital-efficient enterprises with a unique product or service that fill an urgent market need. BELLE Michigan partners believe human capital is just as valuable as financial capital. We seek investments in high growth, capital efficient and scalable enterprises that welcome our expertise and insight, and seek to leverage our leadership and experience.
