Funding Amount

Varies by company selected

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Student Venture Capital Fund (SVCF)

Overview: An educational program providing hands-on venture capital investing experience for MSU students in the FI 444: Entrepreneurial Finance course at Michigan State University's Broad College of Business. Students evaluate, conduct due diligence, and make investment recommendations on real Michigan-based startup companies.

Partner: MSU Broad College of Business Center for Venture Capital, Private Equity and Entrepreneurial Finance

Geographic Scope: Michigan-based startups

Program Structure:

  • Classroom-based venture capital education

  • Real-world startup evaluation and due diligence

  • Student investment recommendations to Red Cedar Ventures

  • Annual Investment Celebration event where student-selected companies receive pre-seed investment
  • Program Reach:

  • 7 years of operation as of April 2025

  • $320,000+ total invested in 32 companies

  • Portfolio companies have raised $74.3 million from additional sources (dilutive and non-dilutive)
  • Recurrence: Annual investment celebration

    Recent Selections (2025):
    1. BRCE - lightweight sports gear from sustainable materials
    2. Kadeya - reusable beverage vending stations
    3. LifeKnight - AI and wearable emergency detection app
    4. Translational Osteosynthesis - bone healing and regeneration solutions
    5. Vetr Health - comprehensive pet wellness services

    Student Learning Activities:

  • Review pipeline of early-stage startup companies

  • Conduct investment selection analysis

  • Perform due diligence

  • Conduct market and competitive analysis

  • Perform valuation analysis

  • Direct engagement with founders

  • Evaluate real startup applications

  • Experience with priced investment rounds, debt conversions, bridge financings, and standard venture metrics
  • Student Demographics:

  • Diverse majors represented: finance, management, supply chain, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, biology

  • Entrepreneurship minor participants
  • Selection Process:

  • Alumni-engaged judging

  • Evaluators: MSU Research Foundation venture investment professionals, Center faculty, and MSU alumni

  • Student pitch presentations reviewed
  • Funder: Michigan State University Research Foundation (through Red Cedar Ventures) in partnership with MSU Broad College of Business

    Contact Information:

  • Center Co-Director: Hayong Yun, Associate Professor

  • East Lansing: 325 E. Grand River Ave. Suite 275, East Lansing, MI 48823

  • Website: msufoundation.org
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssmall-businesseseducation

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