Michigan Rise
Michigan Rise is a venture capital firm based in East Lansing, Michigan, established in 2020 as a subsidiary of the Michigan State University Foundation. The firm is committed to supporting innovative technology startups in Michigan, particularly in sectors such as advanced automotive and mobility, advanced manufacturing, agricultural processing, alternative energy, homeland security, information technology, life sciences, and medical devices. Michigan Rise operates the Pre-Seed Fund III, which provides capital support, coaching, and assistance with grant funding to help entrepreneurs advance their projects toward commercialization. This initiative is backed by funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State University Foundation, which has a long-standing mission to foster economic development through the commercialization of new intellectual property. Through its efforts, Michigan Rise aims to bolster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Michigan and contribute to the state's economic growth.
Competitive Wedge, LLC, founded in 2015 and based in Holland, Michigan, specializes in developing hiring software tools aimed at modern recruitment needs. The company's primary product is a web-based one-way video interview platform that allows job applicants to submit recorded video assessments. This innovative tool is designed to streamline the hiring process by filtering candidates, ultimately enhancing the quality of hires while saving time for HR departments and reducing overall hiring costs. Competitive Wedge serves both employers seeking efficient hiring solutions and job applicants looking to showcase their qualifications effectively.
Genomenon, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing software tools for genetic diagnosis and research. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company offers GENOMENON, a software solution designed for the rapid and automated analysis of next-generation sequencing data. This platform aids healthcare professionals and researchers by streamlining the identification of disease-causing variants from genomic datasets, thereby enhancing the accuracy and speed of genetic discoveries and diagnoses. Through its innovative tools, Genomenon aims to transform the landscape of genetic research and clinical decision-making.
Plinqit is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that enables banks to offer goal-based micro-savings accounts. Founded in 2015, the company provides tools for onboarding and administering these accounts, along with analytics to track user activity. Plinqit's platform is designed to attract and retain customers by offering interactive applications that cater to different age groups, promoting modern money management techniques and gamified savings experiences. This approach not only helps banks engage their customers but also encourages families to save together. Plinqit operates as a subsidiary of HT Mobile Apps, LLC.
GreenMark Biomedical Inc., established in March 2016 and headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, focuses on developing minimally invasive healthcare technologies. The company specializes in biopolymer nanoparticles made from natural starch, which serves as an effective carrier for various applications due to its degradability by natural enzymes in the body. GreenMark's dental technologies aim to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of tooth decay, offering innovative tests and a mouth rinse product that helps detect cavities and early-stage lesions. Additionally, the company is exploring medical applications for these nanoparticles, particularly in the targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs. With a laboratory located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, GreenMark Biomedical is committed to advancing healthcare solutions through its unique biopolymer technology.
Akadeum Life Sciences is working on the problem of isolating mammalian and bacterial cells from complex mixtures. It creates the simplest bioseparation products and fundamentally change the way that isolating cells and other biological targets approached. The company currently uses microbubbles for applications in cell separation and other related areas.
Akadeum Life Sciences was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
Genomenon, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing software tools for genetic diagnosis and research. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company offers GENOMENON, a software solution designed for the rapid and automated analysis of next-generation sequencing data. This platform aids healthcare professionals and researchers by streamlining the identification of disease-causing variants from genomic datasets, thereby enhancing the accuracy and speed of genetic discoveries and diagnoses. Through its innovative tools, Genomenon aims to transform the landscape of genetic research and clinical decision-making.
Asalyxa Bio is a drug development and platform technology company focused on novel therapeutics to treat major unmet medical needs caused by the dysregulation of immune signaling. With applications across a wide array of disease areas and conditions, Asalyxa Bio's platform technology enables delivery of existing and novel drugs directly into over-reactive immune cells.
Rivet Work Inc. provides modern digital tools designed specifically for contractors, unions, and trade schools. Founded in 2019 and based in Detroit, Michigan, the company offers an application called Rivet that allows users to efficiently organize their workforce. This application enables users to access and assign their entire workforce from any location and for any current job, while also facilitating real-time updates on job site activities through the Job Site Feed. Rivet allows for instant and automatic notifications to workers regarding new job assignments or project changes, thereby enhancing communication and operational efficiency within the skilled trades sector.
Alerje, Inc. is a healthcare technology company based in Detroit, Michigan, that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with food allergies. Founded in 2015, the company has developed an innovative epinephrine auto-injector designed to fit into a smartphone case. This device is complemented by a mobile application that provides location and information alerts to a user’s designated CareCircle, which can include emergency services, family, friends, caregivers, and medical professionals. By integrating Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) with a digital health approach, Alerje aims to improve the management of food allergies through accessible and immediate support.