WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
Government fundKalamazoo · Seed–Series A · 12 people tracked
Investment thesis
The BRCC focuses on commercialization-phase funding for Michigan-based life sciences and medical device ventures. Its aim combines return on investment with economic development, supporting companies from early development through the commercialization phase. Established in 2003 by the Michigan Legislature and based on Western Michigan University's Parkview Campus in Kalamazoo, the fund leverages the region's deep pharmaceutical commercialization expertise and scientific talent, a legacy of companies such as Upjohn, Stryker, and Pfizer. Its customers include entrepreneurs, scientists, corporations, and University Technology Transfer offices seeking startup and gap funding.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 12 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 14 of 31 portfolio companiesHealthtech ×9Biotech ×8Medical Devices ×3AgTech ×1Deep Tech ×1Digital Health ×1Hardware ×1SaaS ×1
HQs:United States×12
Investments · 31 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 12021 · 12020 · 12017 · 12016 · 15 dated
SeaStar Medical develops therapies for critically ill patients suffering from cytokine storm and hyperinflammatory conditions, targeting acute and chronic organ injury in critical care settings.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesDenver, US
Eric Schlorff(Executive Officer, Director)
Shoulder Innovations develops InSet® glenoid technology for shoulder joint implants that reduce the rocking horse effect and provide mechanical stability, serving patients with severe shoulder arthritis.
HardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesNorthern California, US
Robert Ball(CEO & Executive Chairman)Matthew Ahearn(Chief Operating Officer)Jeff Points(Executive Officer)David Blue(Executive Officer)Don Running(Manager and Chief Executive Officer)Jeff Ondrla(Chief Technology Officer)
Medical device company developing a next-generation device for treating difficult-to-heal lower extremity wounds such as diabetic and venous ulcers.
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)
Developing an immune cell targeting platform to create first-in-class particle drug products for high unmet medical needs.
Building an AI-powered surgical practice observation system using camera systems and custom AI models to improve surgical efficiency and patient safety.
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
Biotech commercializing UPenn-derived assets for weight loss in obese patients without the severe side effects of GLP-1 drugs.
Healthcare IT company offering a vendor-neutral software suite for cardiac diagnostic echocardiography workflows.
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
Developing therapeutic HDL nanodiscs to induce immunological tolerization for autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Software that detects subtle vital-sign changes to warn medical professionals of post-operative patient deterioration risk.
Commercializing Hygromycin A and derivatives as selective antibiotics against Lyme and related spirochete bacteria.
Minimally invasive healthcare company developing biopolymer starch nanoparticles as carriers for dental and medical applications.
HealthtechGrand Rapids, US
Ryan Roeder(Executive Officer, Director)Ben Olds(Director)Matt Milanowski(Director)
BoardMatt Ahearn(Director)Brian McCollum(Director)Steven Foster(Director)
BiotechEast Lansing, US
Xuefei Huang(Executive Officer, Director)Robert Forgey(Executive Officer, Director)Herbert Kavunja(Executive Officer)
BoardDonald Parfet(Director)Jeffrey Wesley(Director)Steve Kuemmerie(Director)
Digital health company helping individuals identify and manage risks of hereditary conditions to personalize screening and therapy.
HealthtechWaltham, US
JANINE MORALES(Executive Officer)RUSSELL INGERSOLL(Executive Officer)EPHRAIM HOCHBERG(Executive Officer)CLYNT TAYLOR(Executive Officer, Director)MARK OLESNAVAGE(Director)MICHAEL GROSS(Director)
Offers devices and services leveraging 3D CZT for real-time radiation imaging in the medical market.
HealthtechAnn Arbor, US
Michael Hopkins(Executive Officer, Director)
BiotechHolland, US
Matthew Ahearn(Executive Officer)Jeff Ondrla(Executive Officer)Donald Running(Executive Officer, Director)Michael DeVries(Director)Matt Milanowksi(Director)Robert Ball(Executive Officer, Director)
Developing painless cool cardioversion to treat and terminate dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
AgTechKalamazoo, US
James Friedrich(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardSteve Haakenson(Director)Lee Huey(Director)Brian Steensma(Director)Larry Mayberry(Director)
Biopharmaceuticals company developing small molecule drugs for ocular diseases, with lead candidate Nyxol eye drops.
ONL Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing neuroprotective treatments for retinal diseases including retinal detachment, geographic atrophy, and glaucoma.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US
David Zacks(Executive Officer)David Esposito(Executive Officer, Director)Constance Chang(Executive Officer)Loic Couraud(Director)William Brinkerhoff(Director)Mark Hooper(Director)
Developed the MediBot robotic system to make minimally invasive surgery accessible and scalable worldwide.
Developed a contactless imaging device for rapid vascular access monitoring of hemodialysis patients.
Peptinovo develops a patented drug delivery platform (PALM carrier technology) intended to improve the efficacy of approved chemotherapies for a range of solid tumors while reducing serious side effects.
BiotechHealthtechAnn Arbor, US
REYNOLD HOMAN(Executive Officer, Director)BILL ELLIOTT(Executive Officer)STEVE TOKAZ(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDAVID ROMENESCO(Director)FRED BROWN(Director)
Spin-off of Remedy Pharmaceuticals developing a combination drug therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Medical device company whose primary product is the Tibbe External Female Urine Collection Device to reduce CAUTIs.
Developed and commercialized peptide-based insecticides derived from spider peptides.
Producer of unique sugars for human consumption, with xylitol as its primary product.
BiotechChicago, US
Douglas Stewart(Director)David Demirjian(Executive Officer, Director)Grant Brewen(Director)Rajni Aneja(Executive Officer)Nelson Levy(Director)Thomas Churchwell(Director)
Exits · 2
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioSeaStar MedicalNASDAQ: ICUShoulder InnovationsNYSE: SI
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesShoulder Innovations · investing.com · Jun 29, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center invest at?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center's typical check size?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center typically writes checks of $100K – $250K.
- What sectors does WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center focus on?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center focuses on Biotech, Healthtech, Longevity, Medical Devices.
- Where is WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center located?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center is headquartered in Kalamazoo, US.
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