Fundraising FoxWMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center
Government fundKalamazoo · Seed–Series A · 12 people tracked
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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 18 of 31 portfolio companiesHealthtech ×13Biotech ×12Medical Devices ×7Deep Tech ×5Digital Health ×3AgTech ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Cleantech ×1
HQs:United States×17
Who they back
founder profiles across 11 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×72 founders×4
Investments · 31 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12023 · 12021 · 12020 · 12017 · 12016 · 16 dated
SeaStar Medical develops the Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD), a therapy that targets highly activated neutrophils and monocytes to neutralize the hyperinflammatory immune response in critically ill ICU patients facing conditions such as infection, trauma, or surgery.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesDenver, US
H David Humes(Director)Eric Schlorff(Executive Officer, Director)inPeter DeComo(Director)Mark Morsfield(Executive Officer)inR James Danehy(Executive Officer, Director)Jen Baird, NACD.DCin
Co-investorsAphelion CapitalCapital Midwest FundEarly Stage Partners, LP
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)inJeff Points(Executive Officer)inDon Running(Manager and Chief Executive Officer)Jeff Ondrla(Chief Technology Officer)David L. Blue(Chief Customer Experience Officer)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAPERTURE Venture PartnersArboretum VenturesGenesis Innovation GroupGlobal BrainInvest Michigan+3 more
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-investorsMichigan Rise
Developing an immune cell targeting platform to create first-in-class particle drug products for high unmet medical needs.
Co-investorsLoftyInc Capital
Coordinista provides technology solutions designed to improve engagement and care outcomes for high-acuity and hard-to-reach patient populations through clinician-friendly tools that support care teams in delivering meaningful care services.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Co-investorsMichigan Rise
Epsilon Imaging develops EchoInsight, a software platform that uses speckle-tracking strain imaging and automated analysis to detect cardiovascular dysfunction from echocardiograms earlier than traditional methods.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesMichigan, US
Eric J. Sieczka(Chairman, President and CEO)in
Co-investorsID Ventures
Espervita Therapeutics develops metabolic reprogramming therapies targeting liver and kidney disease, with a lead program in acetyl-CoA metabolic enzyme inhibitors.
BiotechDeep TechMedical Devices
Roger Newton(Founder / Board Advisor)James Lally(Founder / Board Advisor)
Co-investorsID VenturesMichigan Rise
Software that detects subtle vital-sign changes to warn medical professionals of post-operative patient deterioration risk.
Jen Baird, NACD.DC(Founder)inMark Salamango(Founder)in
Co-investorsInvest MichiganArboretum VenturesCultivation Capital
Flightpath Biosciences develops microbiome-sparing, pathogen-specific drug candidates to treat infection-associated diseases by selectively targeting harmful bacteria while preserving healthy microbial communities.
BiotechDeep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesBirmingham, US
Matt Tindall(Founder)inMark P. de Souza(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardCurtis Scribner(Director)Cristina Larkin(Director)
Co-investorsFirst In VenturesID VenturesMichigan RiseActive Capital
HealthtechGrand Rapids, US
Ryan Roeder(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMatt Ahearn(Director)Brian McCollum(Director)Ben Olds(Director)Matt Milanowski(Director)Steven Foster(Director)
Co-investorsGenesis Innovation Group
IASO Therapeutics develops synthetic antigen vaccines using a mutant Qβ virus-like particle carrier platform to generate targeted, durable immunity.
BiotechHealthtechEast Lansing, US
Robert Forgey(President & CEO)Xuefei Huang(Executive Officer, Director)Herbert Kavunja(Executive Officer)
BoardDonald Parfet(Director)Jeffrey Wesley(Director)inSteve Kuemmerie(Director)
Co-investorsMichigan Rise
INHERET provides an online tool that collects detailed family health histories and evaluates hereditary cancer risk, then links to best-practice guidelines so providers can recommend next steps.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtech
David Keren(Co-founder, MD)Kelly(CEO)Amanda
Native Traits recovers naturally occurring genetic traits from heritage crop varieties and incorporates them into hybrid seeds to improve yield, drought tolerance, and heat resilience.
AgTechBiotechKalamazoo, US
James Friedrich(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardSteve Haakenson(Director)inLee Huey(Director)Brian Steensma(Director)Larry Mayberry(Director)
Co-investorsInvest Michigan
ONL Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies to preserve sight by preventing Fas-mediated death of retinal cells, a cause of vision loss and blindness.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US
David Zacks(Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer)inDavid Esposito(Executive Officer, Director)inConstance Chang(Executive Officer)John K Freshley(Executive Officer, Director)inJeffrey A Jamison(Executive Officer)in
BoardAaron Fletcher(Director)in
Co-investorsExSight VenturesInvest MichiganNovartis Venture FundVisionary VenturesBios PartnersInFocus Capital Partners, LLC+3 more
Peptinovo develops PALM™, a targeted drug-delivery platform that encapsulates chemotherapy drugs to deliver them directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, reducing side effects and enabling higher therapeutic doses.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesAnn Arbor, US
Ren Homan(Founder)inREYNOLD HOMAN(Executive Officer, Director)BILL ELLIOTT(Executive Officer)inSTEVE TOKAZ(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDAVID ROMENESCO(Director)FRED BROWN(Director)
Co-investorsID VenturesCANTILEVER INVESTORS
Vestaron develops peptide-based insecticides derived from naturally-occurring peptides such as those found in spider venom, produced through fermentation, offering new modes of action for crop protection.
AgTechBiotechCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsKalamazoo, US
Glenn King(Founder)inJuan Estupinan(Executive Officer, Director)inDawn de los Santos(Executive Officer)inRobert Kennedy(Executive Officer)Nancy Newman(Executive Officer)inJohn C. Sorenson(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsArgonautic VenturesCavallo VenturesCultivian Sandbox VenturesEndeavor8iSelect FundMichigan Capital Network+4 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AdloreCareLensCoronation BioEVOQGreenMarkIntervention InsightsM3DMagnesium DevelopmentMediCoolOcuphireParallel RoboticsPatentSeeReprise PharmaceuticalsSBE MedicalZuchem
Exits · 2
2 IPOsSeaStar MedicalNASDAQ: ICUShoulder InnovationsNYSE: SI
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesShoulder Innovations · prnewswire.com · May 13, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center made?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center has 31 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- 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.
- Who does WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center co-invest with?
- WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center most often shares deals with Michigan Rise, ID Ventures, Invest Michigan, among 27 tracked co-investors.
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