Scale-Up! Sessions

Schedule

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025 at 12:00 pm to Tue, 28 Apr, 2026 at 01:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

300 Room, City Center Building | East Lansing, MI

Advertisement
A monthly series for startups and growth companies, hosted by the MSU Research Foundation in East Lansing.
About this Event

October 21, 2025

FUNDING YOUR FIRST VENTURE: ANGELS, SEED CAPITAL, GRANTS, & MORE!

Securing your first round of funding can feel daunting, but understanding the early-stage capital landscape is key to building momentum. This session will break down practical strategies for accessing investments, connecting with angels, and navigating the Red Cedar Ventures and Michigan Rise investment process. Learn what funders are looking for, how to craft a competitive application, and when to seek equity-based funding.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding the Red Cedar Ventures & Michigan Rise investment process and expectations
  • Building relationships with angel networks and investor groups
  • Information on Grants and other resources
  • Getting to know the benefits & resources for startups in Michigan

PRESENTERS: Tommy Skinner, Director, Venture Investments and Pete Martin, Director, Portfolio Management (MSU Research Foundation and Michigan Rise)

---

November 18, 2025

PITCH PERFECT: TELLING YOUR STORY TO INVESTORS WITH IMPACT

A strong pitch can open doors to funding, partnerships, and growth opportunities. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to craft and deliver a compelling narrative that resonates with investors and stakeholders. From structuring your pitch deck to sharpening your storytelling skills, this workshop will provide actionable insights and live feedback to help you pitch with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Building a storytelling framework that captivates audiences
  • Designing a visually impactful and investor-ready pitch deck
  • Tips for mastering delivery and handling Q&A sessions

PRESENTER: Kim Gamez, Program Manager (MSU Research Foundation)

---

February 24, 2026

BUILDING YOUR FOUNDER BRAND: WHY IT MATTERS EARLY

Your startup’s reputation starts with you. In today’s innovation ecosystem, investors and partners invest not just in ideas, but in founders. This session explores how to intentionally craft your personal brand as a founder or researcher, strengthen your digital presence, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. Learn strategies to stand out, attract opportunities, and build trust with your audience early.

Key Takeaways:

  • Creating a founder brand that complements your startup vision
  • Building a strong online presence and leveraging social media
  • Establishing thought leadership and cultivating a professional network

PRESENTER: Pete Martin, Director, Portfolio Management (MSU Research Foundation & Michigan Rise)

---

March 24, 2026

STARTUP LAW 101: THE LEGAL FOUNDATIONS YOU NEED

Legal decisions made in the early stages of your startup can have long-term consequences. This session, led by startup-focused attorneys from Foster Swift, will cover the critical legal basics every entrepreneur needs to know. Learn how to structure your company, protect your intellectual property, and set clear agreements with co-founders and stakeholders to avoid common pitfalls.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choosing the right legal entity for your business
  • Crafting solid founder agreements and avoiding disputes
  • Protecting your intellectual property from the start

PRESENTERS: Foster Swift Startup Law Team

---

April 28, 2026

MSU FACULTY FOUNDERS PANEL: LESSONS FROM THE TRENCHES

Learn directly from MSU faculty innovators who have successfully transformed their research into thriving startups. This interactive panel will share personal stories, challenges, and lessons learned from the commercialization journey. Moderated by MSU Technologies, the discussion will also provide guidance on navigating the MSU tech transfer process, with insights from Brad Fingland on the MSU Startup Guide. Get practical resources and actionable advice to accelerate your path from lab to market.

Key Takeaways:

  • Real-world experiences and lessons from MSU faculty founders
  • Overcoming barriers to commercialization and funding
  • Practical tools and university resources to accelerate innovation

PRESENTERS: Selected MSU Faculty Founders & MSU Technologies Moderator

---

Scale-Up! Sessions is a monthly series for startup and growth companies covering key topics like branding, customer discovery, fundraising, marketing, and more, hosted by the MSU Research Foundation. Sessions are a mix of formats, from hands-on workshops and presentations to casual networking events. Whether you're refining your pitch deck, learning about SBIR/STTR grants, or exploring sales strategies, these sessions offer practical tools and insights to help your business scale.

Mark your calendar and join us in the 300 Room at our City Center headquarters in East Lansing!

________________________________________________________

ORGANIZER:

The MSU Research Foundation supports the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. The Foundation achieves its mission through grant programs that contribute over $15 million annually to the University, entrepreneurial programming and early-stage investments that accelerate technology transfer and startup growth throughout Michigan, and environments where startup businesses and collaborators can thrive. The Foundation's work is made possible through its stewardship of a flexible and sustainable endowment, nourished by over 50 years of licensing revenues and investment returns. Learn more about the MSU Research Foundation and its impact at msufoundation.org

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

300 Room, City Center Building, 325 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
MSU Foundation

Host or Publisher MSU Foundation

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in East Lansing

Exhibition: Michigan State Spartans Women's Basketball vs. Michigan Tech Huskies
Tue, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm Exhibition: Michigan State Spartans Women's Basketball vs. Michigan Tech Huskies

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

EXHIBITIONS
Michigan Tech Huskies at Michigan State Spartans Womens Basketball (Exhibition)
Wed, 22 Oct at 07:30 am Michigan Tech Huskies at Michigan State Spartans Womens Basketball (Exhibition)

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

EXHIBITIONS
Parking Michigan Tech Huskies at Michigan State Spartans Womens Basketball (Exhibition)
Wed, 22 Oct at 07:30 am Parking Michigan Tech Huskies at Michigan State Spartans Womens Basketball (Exhibition)

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

EXHIBITIONS
Beal Footprints Walking Tour
Wed, 22 Oct at 12:10 pm Beal Footprints Walking Tour

330 W Circle Dr., East Lansing, MI, United States, Michigan 48824

Michigan State Spartans vs. Bowling Green Falcons
Wed, 22 Oct Michigan State Spartans vs. Bowling Green Falcons

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Parking Bowling Green State Falcons at Michigan State Spartans Mens Basketball (Exhibition)
Thu, 23 Oct at 07:30 am Parking Bowling Green State Falcons at Michigan State Spartans Mens Basketball (Exhibition)

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

EXHIBITIONS
Bowling Green State Falcons at Michigan State Spartans Mens Basketball (Exhibition)
Thu, 23 Oct Bowling Green State Falcons at Michigan State Spartans Mens Basketball (Exhibition)

Jack Breslin Student Events Center

EXHIBITIONS
Buddy\u2019s Pizza and Trivia Night for Marble! \ud83c\udf55
Thu, 23 Oct at 11:00 am Buddy’s Pizza and Trivia Night for Marble! 🍕

729 N Hagadorn Rd, East Lansing, MI

NONPROFIT
Venture Summit: Rivalry & Resilience
Fri, 24 Oct at 12:30 pm Venture Summit: Rivalry & Resilience

MSU Federal Credit Union

BUSINESS CONTESTS
Innovate State: The Blueprint feat. Dan Gilbert
Wed, 05 Nov at 06:00 pm Innovate State: The Blueprint feat. Dan Gilbert

Eli Broad College of Business

BUSINESS
2DAY VENTURE: Fall Session II
Fri, 07 Nov at 01:00 pm 2DAY VENTURE: Fall Session II

Edward J. Minskoff Pavilion

CONTESTS BUSINESS
East Lansing Millionaire Business Network
Fri, 07 Nov at 03:00 pm East Lansing Millionaire Business Network

2400 West Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823-7347, United States

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
60th PRL Anniversary
Thu, 13 Nov at 01:00 pm 60th PRL Anniversary

Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center

Emerging Leaders: Claim Your Creativity
Wed, 19 Nov at 06:00 pm Emerging Leaders: Claim Your Creativity

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS
Emerging Leaders: Turning Risk into a Restaurant Empire
Wed, 03 Dec at 06:00 pm Emerging Leaders: Turning Risk into a Restaurant Empire

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS
Emerging Leaders: From Center Stage to Game Changer
Wed, 28 Jan at 06:00 pm Emerging Leaders: From Center Stage to Game Changer

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS
2026 Startup Career Fair
Thu, 19 Feb at 02:00 pm 2026 Startup Career Fair

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS
2DAY VENTURE: Spring Session
Fri, 20 Feb at 01:00 pm 2DAY VENTURE: Spring Session

Edward J. Minskoff Pavilion

CONTESTS BUSINESS
Emerging Leaders: Where Research Becomes Real World Impact
Thu, 26 Feb at 06:00 pm Emerging Leaders: Where Research Becomes Real World Impact

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS
Emerging Leaders: From Stealth to Scale
Wed, 25 Mar at 06:00 pm Emerging Leaders: From Stealth to Scale

Entrepreneurship Lab

BUSINESS

What's Happening Next in East Lansing?

Discover East Lansing Events