Michigan Rise
Government fundEast Lansing · Pre-Seed–Series A · 10 people tracked
Investment thesis
Michigan Rise focuses on early-stage funding for Michigan-based technology startups through its Pre-Seed Fund III. Operating in partnership with the MSU Research Foundation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the firm aims to transform promising technologies into successful businesses and drive economic growth across Michigan's tech sectors. Beyond capital, it provides coaching, grant assistance, and strategic guidance at every stage, and connects founders to the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem to attract follow-on investment. Its work builds on the MSU Research Foundation's five decades of innovation and commercialization experience, and its portfolio has leveraged nearly $700M in follow-on funding.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 10 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 115 of 138 portfolio companiesSaaS ×28Healthtech ×27AI & Machine Learning ×19Hardware ×19Deep Tech ×17Biotech ×16Cleantech ×14Digital Health ×14
HQs:United States×67Canada×1Germany×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 67 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×402 founders×193 founders×74+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 19 founders with education data
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ×2University of Michigan ×2University of Waterloo ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 21 founders with career history
Michigan State University ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
6 founders hold a PhD · 4 hold an MBA (of 20 with degree data)
Investments · 138 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 22024 · 62023 · 52022 · 32021 · 32020 · 22019 · 224 dated
Medicool Tech is a medical device company developing devices and therapies focused on cardiac electrophysiology and the treatment of arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesTraverse City, US
Peter von Alt(Chief Financial Officer)Sam Asirvatham(Chief Medical Officer)Rich Sanders(Director)Allan Witz(Executive Officer, Director)Jeff Rynbrandt(Chief Executive Officer)Paul Friedman(Chief Technology Officer)
360ofme provides a cloud-native privacy and consent management platform that lets enterprises exchange personal data with individuals through verified identities and explicit, real-time consent.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Cindy Warner(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsExit Quotient VenturesInvest Detroit
86 Repairs provides a platform to help restaurants manage repairs and maintenance, removing the burden of equipment R&M so operators can focus on their core business.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaS
Daniel Estrada(Founder & CEO)
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Cleveland AvenueConnetic VenturesID VenturesLightbankLofty Ventures+5 more
Acelfil develops industrial filtration systems designed to handle variable and spiking suspended-solids loads without manual operator intervention, aiming to reduce equipment shutdowns and downstream membrane damage.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechHardware
Co-investorsID VenturesMichigan Capital NetworkAnthropocene Ventures
Grand Rapids, US
Randall Duthler(Executive Officer, Director)Christopher Barber(Executive Officer)Zachariah Booker(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDale Grogan(Director)
Adrenaline Interactive provides in-game advertising technology that places real brands into mobile games through proprietary reskinning software, serving both game publishers seeking new revenue and advertisers wanting to reach players.
AdTechGaming
Carson Mathews(CEO)
Co-investorsAntlerAntler AustraliaeLab Ventures
Advertent Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class biologics that modulate TGF-β family growth factors to protect muscle quality and promote regeneration in neuromuscular disorders, with a particular focus on muscular dystrophies.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Monique Floer(Co-Founder, President & CEO)Erik M. Martinez-Hackert(Co-Founder & CSO)
Co-investorsWMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
Airspace Link provides a unified platform (AirHub Portal) for airspace security, drone operations management, and air traffic coordination, serving government agencies, defense organizations, and commercial enterprises operating unmanned aircraft systems.
Defense TechGovTechIoTLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationRoboticsNorthville, US
Michael Healander(Executive Officer, Director)Dillon Krasnigor(Director)Daniel Bradshaw(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJonathan Struhl(Director)in
Co-investors2048 VenturesAssembly VenturesAvanta VenturesID VenturesLudlow VenturesMatchstick Ventures+4 more
Akadeum manufactures GMP-compliant ancillary materials for cell and gene therapy applications, specializing in microbubble-based negative selection products.
Advanced ManufacturingBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US
Kalyan Handique(Executive Officer, Director)John Younger(Executive Officer, Director)James Militello(Executive Officer)
BoardJeffrey S. Williams(Director)Paul D'Amato(Director)Dan Kidle(Director)in
Co-investorsArboretum VenturesBeringeaBerkeley CatalystBlueStone Venture PartnerseLab VenturesID Ventures+5 more
Alerje develops FAIT, a mobile app and clinical platform for food allergy oral immunotherapy (OIT), offering dose tracking, HIPAA-compliant clinic messaging, and predictive insights.
Digital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesDetroit, US
Javier Evelyn(Founder & CEO)in
BoardPatti Glaza(Director)
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalChloe CapitalID VenturesJumpstart NovaSeae Ventures
Arborsense develops transdermal wearable sensors, including the SCANar wrist-worn device, that measure biomarkers in sweat to detect substance use and monitor health non-invasively.
HardwareHealthtechMedical Devices
ArcPath Automation designs industrial automation systems including robotic bin picking, machine vision and AI, quality automation, and inspection and metrology solutions.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRobotics
Aries is an open trading platform for retail traders, investors, and developers, offering a mobile app and tools to trade stocks, options, ETFs, and index funds through a FINRA-member broker-dealer.
Data & InfrastructureFintechSaaS
Co-investorsID Ventures
ATLAS Space Operations provides Ground Software as a Service through Freedom, connecting spacecraft operators to a federated global network of satellite ground stations via a single API running on AWS Cloud.
Defense TechSaaSSpace Tech
Atterx Biotherapeutics develops therapeutics to prevent and treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, including drug candidates for Gram-negative infections (GN-4474) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (C-1205).
BiotechHealthtech
James Millar(Chief Executive Officer)
Co-investorsWisconsin Investment Partners
BlueConduit provides AI-driven predictive modeling software that helps water utilities and cities locate lead and galvanized service lines and assess water main risk, supporting inventory classification, replacement planning, and regulatory compliance.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechGovTech
Co-investorsID Ventures
Blueflite develops electric drones for logistics and package delivery, with vertical take-off and landing capabilities designed for last-mile deliveries, emergency medical transport, and industrial supply missions.
HardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsAustin, US
Frank Noppel(CEO)inJames McClearen(CTO)in
Co-investorsBoot64 VenturesCroc PitchGENIUS NYTechstars
Co-investorsID VenturesBlack Operator
Breadless makes bread-free sandwiches, bowls, and salads wrapped in greens like swiss chard and romaine, with menu items such as jerk chicken, falafel, and braised beef.
ConsumerFoodTechDetroit, US
LC Howland(Founder)
Co-investorsID VenturesRareBreed Ventures
BridgeCare provides K-12 schools and districts with a student support system that combines a soft-skill curriculum, self-discovery tools, on-demand support, and real-time student wellness monitoring with reporting for counselors and administrators.
Digital HealthEdTechMental Health
Co-investorsExit Quotient Ventures
Helps schools address the student mental health crisis amid understaffed counseling systems.
Carvis provides an AI system for auto repair shops that automates repair inspections and generates estimates, integrating with existing shop management systems.
AI & Machine LearningMobility & TransportationSaaSSan Mateo, US
CJ Na(Founder)Chan Jong (CJ) Na(Founder)
Co-investorsID VenturesStruck CapitalTrucks VC
A company offering personalized supplement recommendations for women through a quiz-based matching system covering fertility, prenatal, postpartum, and hormone balance categories.
FemTechHealthtech
Irene Liu(Founder & CEO)inJennifer Jolorte Doro(Founder)
Co-investors1st Course CapitalBread And Butter Ventures, LlcDorm RoomFlare Capital PartnersIngeborg InvestmentsLighthouse Network Ventures Llc+4 more
CircNova uses artificial intelligence to generate, analyze, and identify circular RNA structures for therapeutic development.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDetroit, US
Crystal Brown(Chief Executive Officer)Alex Wesselhoeft(Principal Scientific Architect)inJoe Deangelo(Chief Scientific Officer)inRobin Pearce(Principal AI Architect)in
Co-investors100Km Ventures LlcID VenturesService Provider CapitalSouth Loop Ventures
Brooklyn, US
Zachary Schieffelin(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsID Ventures
Claira is a workforce optimization platform that identifies and surfaces the competencies of an organization's employees, rather than relying on credentials or past experience.
AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkHR Tech
Katie Hall(Founder & CEO)
Co-investorsID Ventures
Helps businesses turn referrals into a structured, measurable growth channel, reducing reliance on paid advertising.
ConStrat AI builds AI-powered software for construction contractors, providing intelligence to support faster and better decision-making across jobs and finances.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechFintechSaaSDetroit, US
Jesse Dorsey(Co-founder)Justin Turk(Co-founder)Emmanuel Dorley(Co-founder & Head of AI)
Coordinista (Coordi) provides cloud-based field management software for mobile healthcare teams, including caseload management, scheduling, mapping, mileage tracking, and geo-location for electronic visit verification.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Co-investorsWMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
Jackson, US
Rebecca Colmer(Executive Officer)William Joshua Nichols(Executive Officer)James Kelly(Executive Officer)
Low-power IoT sensors for industrial monitoring
Ann Arbor, US
Gyouho Kim(Executive Officer, Director)ZhiYoong Foo(Executive Officer)David Blaauw(Director)
BoardFelicia David-Visser(Director)
Co-investorsID VenturesMomenta Ventures
Cura Collaborative offers a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based platform that connects clinical care teams with patients and their families to coordinate care outside the EHR, focusing on home-based care and care transitions.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
EcoG develops an AI-enabled operating system and software solutions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, optimizing energy flow and system reliability for fleet operators and charging network providers.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyEnterprise SoftwareHardwareIoTMobility & TransportationMunich, DE
Joerg Heuer(Founder & CEO)inJohannes Hund(Founder & CTO)in
Co-investorsBayern KapitalBerliner Volksbank VenturesGET FundRedstoneTane FundTechstars+2 more
Southfield, US
Josef Hjelmaker(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsID Ventures
Electric Plant is a plant intelligence company that uses a plug-in "dongle" device to continuously record plants' electric signals and applies AI to decode these electrochemical signals into hyperlocal, actionable insights.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningDeep Tech
Co-investors640 OxfordJetstream
Enspired Solutions offers PFAS destruction technology for water, providing services including benchtop treatability studies, feasibility study support, field pilot tests, and full-scale on-site implementation.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechLaingsburg, US
Denise Kay(Executive Officer, Director)Laurie Parsons(Director)Meng Wang(Executive Officer)
BoardJeff Wesley(Director)in
Co-investorsEvergreen Climate Innovations
Esperovax is a biotechnology company developing an oral mRNA-based vaccine and biotherapeutic platform that produces shelf-stable vaccines in tablet and capsule form as an alternative to injection-based treatments.
BiotechDeep TechPlymouth, US
Co-investorsID Ventures
Espervita Therapeutics is a drug discovery company developing metabolic reprogramming therapies, with a lead compound (EVT0185) that inhibits acetyl-CoA metabolic enzymes to treat conditions such as MASH, chronic kidney disease, and liver and kidney fibrosis.
Biotech
Co-investorsID VenturesWMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
EVOQ Therapeutics develops immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases using its proprietary NanoDisc technology, which delivers disease-specific antigens to dendritic cells via subcutaneous administration to restore native immune tolerance.
BiotechHealthtech
Co-investorsID VenturesInvest Michigan
FirstIgnite provides AI software that helps universities, hospitals, nonprofits, and foundations identify, engage, and manage partnership opportunities in research funding, philanthropy, and technology licensing.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Chase Bonhag(Founder)inCody Pawlowski(Founder)in
Co-investorsConnetic VenturesFrontier VenturesID VenturesIllinois VenturesY CombinatorGaingels
Flightpath Biosciences develops Targeted Bacterial Deletion, a platform that selectively removes harmful gram-negative bacteria while sparing the surrounding microbiome to interrupt infection-driven disease.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Co-investorsFirst In VenturesID Ventures
FreightRoll provides a non-app-based driver authentication and workflow system, including a "YardFlow" protocol builder, that automates yard operations for warehousing and logistics facilities.
Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSAnn Arbor, US
Matthew Koppinger(Founder)inJake Koppinger
Co-investors500 GlobalID Ventures
Functional Fluidics is a CLIA-certified diagnostic lab offering proprietary red blood cell function biomarker assays, starting with Sickle Cell Disease.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesDetroit, US
Patrick Hines(CEO & Founder)Dr. Hines(Founder)John Cunningham(Chief Operating Officer)
Co-investorsID VenturesNYBC VenturesSeae VenturesWavemaker Three-Sixty Health
Fusion Coolant Systems makes Pure-Cut, a machine-tool cooling and lubrication system that uses supercritical carbon dioxide instead of traditional cutting fluids to extend tool life, improve surface finish, and reduce health and environmental risks in CNC machining.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechHardware
Steve Skerlos(Founder & Chief Technology Officer)in
Co-investorsID VenturesInvest MichiganMaterial Impact
Genomenon uses AI to read biomedical literature and expert scientists to curate variant- and patient-level genomic evidence, delivering regulatory-grade real-world evidence.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthAnn Arbor, US
Mark Kiel(Executive Officer, Director)Eli Salembier(Executive Officer, Director)Sam Globus(Executive Officer)inDr. Sam Globus(Chief Operating Officer)Michael Klein(Executive Officer, Director)David Gregorka(Director)
Co-investorsBeringeaGreen Park & Golf VenturesID VenturesInvest MichiganIrishAngelsMarram Ventures+1 more
Culturewell operates an Infection Insights and Cleaning Compliance Audit platform that performs environmental sampling and proteomics-enabled lab testing to detect and quantify viable germs (such as MRSA, C. diff, and Candida auris) on surfaces in healthcare facilities.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtech
Gildform is an on-demand product creation platform that uses AI to generate design mockups and connects users with a global network of CAD designers to produce 3D models for manufacturing custom jewelry, fashion hardware, home décor, and collectibles.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningE-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainDetroit, US
Karissma Yve(Founder)in
Co-investorsID VenturesTechstarsCapitalize VCREFASHIOND Ventures
Goodhood is a mobile car repair service that sends certified mechanics to a customer's home or office for maintenance and repairs, with fixed upfront quotes and a two-year warranty.
ConsumerMarketplacesMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersKubera Venture CapitalMucker CapitalNew Age VenturesOkapi Venture Capital
BiotechEast Lansing, US
Steven Bloembergen, PhD(Executive Officer, Director)Steven Bloembergen(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMichael Snyder(Director)Joerg Lahann, Ph.D.(Director)Kenneth Pienta(Director)Frank van Luttikhuizen(Director)
Co-investorsID VenturesInvest Michigan
HAPPE Spine develops INTEGRATE-C, an interbody spinal fusion cage built on its patented HAPPE (Hydroxyapatite Porous Polyetheretherketone) platform, combining porous and dense PEEK with integrated hydroxyapatite for bone ingrowth and post-operative imaging.
HealthtechMedical DevicesNew Materials
HealthBridge offers a no-interest patient payment plan integrated directly into healthcare providers' Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, allowing patients to pay medical expenses over time without credit checks or separate apps.
Digital HealthFintechHealthtech
Co-investorsManchesterStory Group, LLCMichigan Capital Network
Hum provides white-label internet shopping and enrollment solutions for residential property managers and operators, allowing them to offer internet services to residents while retaining brand control and revenue.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkPropTechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Dann Petty(Founder)
Co-investorsID VenturesRWT HorizonsY Combinator
Hummus Goodness makes Lebanese-style hummus using ingredients such as chickpeas, fresh garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Hannah Awada(Founder)Lara Lozser(Co-founder)
BiotechEast Lansing, US
Robert Forgey(Executive Officer, Director)Xuefei Huang(Executive Officer, Director)Herbert Kavunja(Executive Officer)
BoardDonald Parfet(Director)Jeffrey Wesley(Director)inSteve Kuemmerie(Director)
Co-investorsWMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
Interobio Systems develops stem-cell-derived human intestinal organoids that include functioning neurons, blood vessels, muscle, and intestinal lining for use in preclinical drug testing.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Charlie Childs(CEO)inMadeline Eiken(CTO/COO)inJason Spence(CSO)
Co-investorsHouston Angel Network
Jolt Energy Storage Technologies is a materials research firm developing a new class of electrochemically active organic compounds (branded PyCore) as an alternative to Li-ion and lead-acid chemistries for mobile and grid-scale energy storage.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsHolland, US
Thomas Guarr(Dr.)
Judy is a cybersecurity platform designed for MSPs and SMBs that combines AI threat detection with human security expertise to protect endpoints, emails, and networks.
CybersecurityReston, US
Raffaele Mautone(Founder)in
Co-investorsCompanyon VenturesFirebrand VenturesID VenturesLeft Lane CapitalNext Coast Ventures
JustAir builds an air quality monitoring platform that provides accessible air quality data and insights to communities, resident groups, governments, and public health advocates.
Climate TechData & InfrastructureGovTechImpact & Social GoodIoTSan Francisco, US
Darren(Co-founder)inDaniel Burnett(Executive Officer, Director)Derek Hilstrom(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsID VenturesBlack Operator
Marquette, US
Troy Morris(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Adam Kall(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Austin Morris(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsSeraphim SpaceSica Ventures
KODE provides a platform connecting medical coders with healthcare providers, offering coders flexible income opportunities while helping providers manage staffing and workflow needs in the healthcare industry.
Enterprise SoftwareHealthtechHR Tech
Co-investorsEpsilon Health InvestorsFCA Venture PartnersID VenturesMercury Fund
Lilypad offers solar-powered boating experiences in South Haven, Michigan, catering to visitors and boating enthusiasts in the lakeside town.
ConsumerTravel & HospitalitySouth Haven, US
LIVAQ produces electric off-roading vehicles designed for adventure experiences with a focus on sustainable rider-environment interaction.
CleantechHardwareMobility & TransportationDetroit, US
David R. Medina Álvarez(Founder)in
Co-investorsID VenturesTechstars
Livegistics provides a digital platform that replaces paper tickets with digital workflows, using AI to capture and structure ticket data (signatures, GPS, photos, timestamps) for ticketing, compliance, and logistics management across job sites.
AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSDetroit, US
JUSTIN TURK(Executive Officer, Director)ANDRE DAVIS(Executive Officer, Director)Justin Turk(Director)Shijiro Orchibat(Director)Andre Davis(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCintrifuse CapitalRefinery VentureReinventure CapitalTappan Hill VenturesBlack Operator
LiveRoad Analytics provides environmental intelligence for transportation operations, delivering weather and environmental awareness across vehicles in motion, fixed facilities, and outdoor field activity.
Data & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & Transportation
GenAI-enabled platform optimizing residential rental marketplace occupancy for property managers and renters.
Ann Arbor, US
Andrea Taylor(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Co-investorsExit Quotient VenturesID VenturesVC 414
Co-investorsExit Quotient Ventures
Co-investorsID Ventures
MagPlasma develops plasma-based processes to replace conventional thermal heating in applications from airborne and surface disinfection to manufacturing.
Deep TechHardwareHealthtech
Co-investorsNew York Angels
Maka appears to be a children's media brand that publishes content and guidance for parents about kids' shows and media, based on a blog recap of a conversation with a children's media researcher.
ConsumerMedia & Entertainment
Marel builds ultra-compact power-conversion building blocks — power modules and power stacks — that integrate semiconductor packaging and cooling to reduce the size, weight, and cost of high-power converters, inverters, and breakers.
EnergyHardwareSemiconductors
Amrit Vivekanand(Chief Executive Officer)inGarry Miller(Chief Operating Officer)inIan Byers(Chief Technology Officer)in
Co-investorsEvergreen Climate Innovations
The MSU Foundation supports the Michigan State University innovation ecosystem by connecting research, startups, and industry partners with resources to grow.
Impact & Social Good
Micro-LAM develops laser-assisted machining systems, ultra-precision diamond turning tools, and custom optical components for precision optics manufacturing.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwarePortage, US
Deepak Ravindra(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJohn Balbach(Director)Tim Parker(Director)John Jackoboice(Director)
Co-investorsBeringeaID VenturesInvest MichiganIrishAngelsMichigan Capital Network
Motion Grazer AI (SIM) builds vision-based sensing hardware and machine learning algorithms that assess sow reproductive potential, body condition, and locomotion for pork producers with sow breeding operations.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningHardwareEast Lansing, US
Michael Lavagnino(Director)Madonna Benjamin(Director)Daniel Morris(Director)John McIntyre(Founder/CEO and President)
Co-investorsAg Ventures Alliance
Motmot develops robotic systems to modernize how cities and water utilities manage and monitor their water infrastructure.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareGovTechIoTRoboticsEast Lansing, US
Zack(Head of Brand, Marketing & Communications)inElliot Smith(Executive Officer, Director)in
Co-investorsAssembly VentureseLab Ventures
Movellus develops infrastructure IP for semiconductor chips, including on-die telemetry sensors, clock generation, and integrated power delivery, marketed under its Aeonic product family.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Mo Faisal(Founder)in
Co-investorsCandou VenturesInvest MichiganMichigan Capital NetworkIntel Capital
Munetrix provides data analytics software for K-12 schools and districts, offering academic, financial, and early-warning modules to track student progress, build budgets, and identify at-risk students.
EdTechGovTechSaaS
Co-investorsChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Cultivation Capital
Reseda Group creates and delivers fintech products for financial institutions such as credit unions, including financial literacy tools, a Banking-as-a-Service platform, member financial wellness guidance, and marketing solutions.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSAnn Arbor, US
Joseph Gracia(Executive Officer, Director)Marc Laitin(Director)Thad Langford(Director)
Nunchi is a "relational intelligence" platform that ingests an organization's member data to build living profiles, surface smart introductions, send engagement alerts, and recommend programming.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsID Ventures
Ocutheia is a therapeutics developer creating treatments for age-related macular degeneration by targeting metabolic dysfunction in photoreceptors.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Official OrganicsRx makes an OMRI-listed dry powder fertilizer formulated without animal waste or synthetics, containing minerals and nutrients to support yields of vegetables, herbs, fruit, flowers, trees, turf, and orchids.
AgTechNew MaterialsAnn Arbor, US
Orbion Space Technology builds Hall-effect electric propulsion systems for small-satellite constellations, providing integrated thrusters, power processing units, and propellant management for in-space maneuvers.
Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech
Lyon (Brad) King(CEO)inJason D. Sommerville(CTO)inRob Washeleski(CDO)inJorge Ramos(CFO)inLarry Bates(VP, Manufacturing)
Co-investorsBeringeaID VenturesInventus Capital PartnersInvest MichiganMaterial ImpactWakestream Ventures
Parallel Robotics is an engineering R&D firm specializing in mechatronics, robotics, and mechanical design.
Deep TechHardwareRobotics
Co-investorsID Ventures
Ann Arbor, US
Mike Johnson(Founder)inSimon Forster(Founder)inKabir Maiga(Executive Officer, Director)Alfred Kloss(Director)
Co-investorsID Ventures
BiotechDetroit, US
Paul A. Neeb(Executive Officer, Director)Shai Policker(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJeffrey Wesley(Director)inHagay Drori(Director)Gal Atarot(Director)
Pearl Edison provides an online platform that gives homeowners instant system designs and estimates for electrified heating and cooling upgrades (such as heat pumps) and matches them with vetted contractors to complete installations.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
Co-investorsCommonweal VenturesLightbank
PhotoniCare develops OtoSight, an FDA-cleared optical coherence tomography device for non-invasive assessment and monitoring of middle ear infections in healthcare facilities.
Deep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesDurham, US
Ryan Shelton(CEO)Stephen Boppart(CMO)Cary Vance(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPatrick Zeller(Director)Dale Grogan(Director)inDr. Zishan Haroon(Director)
Co-investorsFirst Leaf CapitalHealthtech CapitalIllinois VenturesMichigan Capital NetworkOSF VenturesPlains Ventures+1 more
Co-investorsFINTOP CapitalSixThirty Ventures
Pocketnest offers a white-labeled AI platform that financial institutions use to deliver personalized financial guidance and coaching to Millennial and Gen X customers.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaSAnn Arbor, US
JESSICA WILLIS(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsCleo Capitalgener8torID Ventures
Advanced ManufacturingTraverse City, US
Jody Lundquist(Executive Officer)Lowell Gruman(Executive Officer, Director)William Myers(Executive Officer, Director)Jody Trietch(Executive Officer)
BoardMartin Paul(Director)Stan Gwizdak(Director)
Advanced ManufacturingHudsonville, US
Paul Reiss(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Meadows(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsAssembled Brands
Redox Blox develops thermochemical energy storage systems that store thermal energy in less space and release superheated air for industrial heating processes.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechEnergyEast Lansing, US
DANE A BOYSEN(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Alessandro Bo(Founder)inKelvin Randhir(Founder)inJAMES KLAUSNER(Director)JOERG PETRASCH(Executive Officer)
BoardRAJESH SWAMINATHAN(Director)in
Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesKhosla Ventures
Revolin Sports sells pickleball paddles and offers a quiz to help players choose a paddle suited to their playstyle.
Direct to ConsumerE-commerceSports TechHolland, US
Hughes Davis(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsID Ventures
Ripple Science offers EnrollNow, a HIPAA-compliant, SOC 2-certified platform for managing research participant prescreening, enrollment, scheduling, and communication.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Co-investorsDundee Venture CapitalID VenturesInvest MichiganMercury FundMichigan Capital NetworkNarrow Gauge Ventures+1 more
RIVET is a workforce management and labor planning platform for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and specialty construction contractors, offering workforce forecasting, scheduling and dispatch, productivity analytics, and ERP integrations.
Construction TechFuture of WorkSaaS
Co-investorsBrick Mortar VenturesDefy PartnersAugment VenturesHaystackSusa Ventures
Scorbit is a connected-play platform for pinball and arcade machines that lets players track scores, view leaderboards, earn achievements, and enter cash tournaments at bars and arcades or from home collections.
GamingIoTSports Tech
Co-investorsGrand VenturesID VenturesWakestream Ventures
SecuritySnares makes RansomSnare, a microsensor that reinforces existing EDR/XDR endpoint protection to block unknown, zero-day ransomware before it encrypts files, without signatures or connectivity.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsID Ventures
SensCy provides cybersecurity guidance and risk-management services for small and medium-sized organizations, including third-party vendor risk assessment and employee education.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSAnn Arbor, US
Bhushan Kulkarni(Executive Officer, Director)Rick Snyder(CEO)inDavid Behen(Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer)David Kelly(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsID VenturesWakestream Ventures
Co-investorsExit Quotient VenturesID VenturesSerac VenturesVC 414
Ann Arbor, US
Laura Khoury(CEO and President)Robert Cell(Director)Nancy Gilby(Director)
Co-investorsCapital Midwest FundID VenturesInvest Michigan
SightLine provides financial aid optimization and enrollment and retention strategy consulting for higher education institutions, using data science and modeling for tuition and scholarship analysis and enrollment forecasting.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEdTech
Co-investorsID Ventures
Ann Arbor, US
Robert Dentzman(Executive Officer)William Tennant(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Koziara(Director)
BoardChris Groobey(Director)Robert Kennedy(Director)inArthur Mohr(Director)
Co-investorsNew World Angels
Stunio is a workforce development platform that connects students, employers, and institutions in one system, covering the process from initial awareness through employment placement.
EdTechHR TechSaaS
Co-investorsID Ventures
Provides automatic, multi-channel notification and alert systems that combine real-time emergency requests, geolocated events, weather and wave analysis, camera analytics, and health-department advisories for water safety and public safety coordination.
GovTechIoTSports Tech
Swish operates a programmatic product sampling platform that places full-size products into shoppers' online grocery orders, using first-party transactional data to target customers and measure performance.
AdTechMarketing TechRetail Tech
Co-investorsID Ventures
Syncurrent is a software platform that helps municipal and tribal governments find, qualify, and apply for federal and state funding opportunities, offering matching, application roadmaps, autogenerated executive summaries, and team collaboration.
GovTechSaaS
Takanock develops permanent, grid-connected power generation for data centers, configured to bypass the interconnection queue and bring new load online ahead of utility timelines.
CleantechCloud ComputingEnergyTraverse City, US
Kenneth DeNoyer Davies(Executive Officer, Director)Adam Smith(Executive Officer)Michael Jake Carite(Executive Officer)
BoardJake Erhard(Director)James Sullivan(Director)Brian Giaquinta(Director)
Tandem is a mobile app for couples to split and track shared expenses, coordinate joint to-do lists, curate purchase wishlists, and plan home purchases.
ConsumerFintechPropTech
Co-investorsBright VenturesCorazon CapitalGROOVE CAPITALID VenturesSwizzle VenturesTAWANI Ventures
The Patient Company makes SimPull, an automated lateral patient transfer device that moves patients between surfaces and from supine to sitting positions without staff having to lift or manually roll them.
HardwareHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsCorewell Health Ventures
Therab Medical is developing SnugLit, a wearable phototherapy device for treating neonatal jaundice in infants, delivering light therapy in a portable form for use in hospital and home settings.
Digital HealthHardwareMedical Devices
Alexa Jones(Founder)in
Co-investorsExpert DOJOID VenturesSmartGateVC
Thermavance develops a thermal control technology that uses thermoelectric devices combined with graphene to directly heat and cool the body.
Deep TechHardwareNew Materials
Throdle is a social media app for car enthusiasts, clubs, influencers, and auto businesses to connect, share their vehicles and modifications, and discover car meets, shows, and other motoring events.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSocial
Detroit, US
Jeffrey Lambert(Executive Officer, Director)Tim Northup(Executive Officer)Walter Ward, III(Director)
Bloom offers a vetted vendor network and payment tools, including BloomPay for consolidating vendor payments and accessing extended payment terms of up to 120 days.
Advanced ManufacturingFintechHardware
Co-investorsID Ventures
VADE Nutrition sells single-serve dissolvable protein and nutrition packs, including whey isolate protein, plant-based meal replacements, and collagen with MCT, designed for portable on-the-go mixing into shakes.
Direct to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Joe Johnson(Cofounder)
Valerion Energy develops battery components using aramid nanofibers (ANFs), including a thin separator material and its ANVIL ion-conducting layer technology, to increase battery energy density and reduce cost.
CleantechEnergyNew Materials
Valerion Energy develops battery components made from aramid nanofibers (ANFs), including a thin separator material and its ANVIL ion-conducting layer technology, aimed at improving energy density, cost, and safety of batteries.
CleantechEnergyNew Materials
Co-investorsLG Technology Ventures
Virtus Solis is developing a space-based solar power system that collects solar energy in orbit and beams it to receivers on Earth as a firm, dispatchable power source.
CleantechEnergySpace Tech
Co-investorsSeraphim SpaceDeep Future
Wagner Design Associates is a design firm offering graphic design, advertising, digital media, corporate identity, and website services.
AdTechMarketing Tech
Waldo is a cloud-based, offline-first platform that digitizes and unifies data across the timber supply chain, letting loggers, truckers, and mills create and track load tickets from stump to mill in real time.
AgTechLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Leo(Co-founder)Tina(Co-founder)
Co-investorsCORI InnovationTitletownTechWakestream VenturesUpfront Ventures
WedgeHR is a video interviewing platform that lets job seekers record short one-way videos on their own schedule so hiring teams can screen candidates faster without scheduling back-and-forth.
Future of WorkHR TechSaaS
Co-investorsBDev VenturesMichigan Capital Network
Wide Awake VR develops a medical virtual reality system designed to deliver tailored VR experiences for patients, originating from use in office-based hand surgeries performed under local anesthesia.
Digital HealthGamingHealthtechAnn Arbor, US
Joe Gough(Chairman & Co-Founder)James Clarkson(CMO & Co-Founder)Mark Cohen(Executive Officer)Joseph Gough(Executive Officer, Director)David Wheeler(CEO & Co-Founder)
Wizehire is a recruiting platform for small and growing businesses that lets employers post jobs to 100+ job boards and networks with one click, and uses an AI assistant to screen, match, and communicate with candidates.
AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaSHouston, US
Jay Niblick(Founder)
Co-investorsAmplo VenturesID VenturesMercury Fund
Zakuro develops solid-state battery technology using a solid-state separator and lithium metal anode to increase energy density over lithium-ion cells.
Deep TechEnergyNew Materials
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesGreenMark Biomedical · einpresswire.com · Aug 25, 2026
Gildform · bridgedetroit.com · Aug 11, 2026
BridgeCare · natlawreview.com · May 14, 2026
Rivet · x.com · Apr 7, 2026
Protein Pints · tasteradio.com · Apr 1, 2026
FirstIgnite · msufoundation.org · Mar 26, 2026
CubeWorks · intelligence360.news · Mar 25, 2026
Waldo · finance.yahoo.com · Jan 22, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Michigan Rise made?
- Michigan Rise has 135 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Michigan Rise invest at?
- Michigan Rise invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Michigan Rise's typical check size?
- Michigan Rise typically writes checks of $50K – $150K.
- What sectors does Michigan Rise focus on?
- Michigan Rise focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, Biotech, Consumer, Data & Infrastructure, Defense Tech, Energy, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Hardware, Healthtech, Medical Devices, Mobility & Transportation, New Materials, SaaS, Sector Agnostic, Semiconductors.
- Where is Michigan Rise located?
- Michigan Rise is headquartered in East Lansing, US.
- Does Michigan Rise lead rounds?
- Michigan Rise typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Michigan Rise co-invest with?
- Michigan Rise most often shares deals with ID Ventures, Invest Michigan, Michigan Capital Network, among 124 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamFund Facts | Jeff Wesley of Michigan Rise | MEDC
Michigan Economic Development Corporation · Jeff Wesley
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