MSU Research Foundation Podcast

In this episode, David Washburn talks with Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, about the rapid growth of venture creation and early-stage investing across Michigan.

Jeff shares updates on the Conquer Accelerator’s 10-year milestone, recent sector-based and regional cohorts, and partnerships with Henry Ford Health, Michigan Virtual, and MSU Federal Credit Union. He discusses how these programs are attracting startups from across the country and helping founders connect with customers, capital, and mentors.

The conversation also explores the Foundation’s growing investment activity, recent exits—including ATLAS Space Operations, FirstIgnite, and TheraB—and what they signal for Michigan’s innovation economy, along with a preview of the PitchMI Championship on April 7 at Grewal Hall.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Jeff Wesley (Executive Director of Ventures, MSU Research Foundation)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn talks with Michigan State University Provost Dr. Laura Lee McIntyre about her path to MSU and how her experiences in research, fundraising, and innovation are shaping her leadership at the university.

Dr. McIntyre shares lessons from helping launch the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health and Launch Oregon, and how those efforts inform MSU’s approach to interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship, and commercialization. She also discusses the role of seed funding, shared governance, endowed professorships, and why cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across disciplines is essential to strengthening Michigan’s innovation ecosystem.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Dr. Laura Lee McIntyre (Provost, Michigan State University; MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn and Jeff Wesley talk with Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz about how research, policy, and partnerships drive economic growth and improve lives across Michigan.

Kevin reflects on his career in concussion research and how federally funded science led to major changes in NCAA and NFL safety standards. He also discusses the importance of advocating for public research funding, MSU’s expanding presence in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and East Lansing, and new initiatives supporting healthcare innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores MSU’s “one team” approach to collaboration, emerging workforce and AI programs, and what gives him optimism about Michigan’s innovation ecosystem.

Host: David Washburn and Jeff Wesley
Guests: Kevin Guskiewicz Wesley (President, Michigan State University)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn talks with Craig Wesley, Executive Director of 20Fathoms in Traverse City, about how northern Michigan is cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial community and expanding opportunities for early-stage founders across a 10-county region.

Craig shares his path from Michigan State University to two decades in Silicon Valley and back to Traverse City, and how that experience shaped his vision for building an environment where innovators can thrive. He discusses the evolution of 20Fathoms from a local coworking hub to a regional catalyst for startup activity, along with emerging strengths in freshwater research, fisheries innovation, and drone technology. Craig and Dave also explore how statewide partnerships, new research facilities, and collaborations like PitchMI and Conquer Accelerator are creating more pathways for entrepreneurs across northern Michigan.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Craig Wesley (Executive Director, 20Fathoms)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn talks with Lisa Prasad, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Henry Ford Health, and Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, about how Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health are accelerating healthcare innovation through collaboration and venture investment.

Lisa shares how Henry Ford Innovations evolved to translate research and clinical expertise into real-world impact—supporting pilots, startups, and technologies that improve care and reduce costs. Jeff discusses the launch of the MSU-Henry Ford Health Innovation Hub and $10 million Healthcare Innovation Fund, and how these initiatives are driving commercialization, attracting international startups, and strengthening Michigan’s healthcare ecosystem.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Lisa Prasad (Chief Innovation Officer, Henry Ford Health) and Jeff Wesley (Executive Director of Ventures, MSU Research Foundation)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn interviews Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management at the MSU Research Foundation, about the launch of PitchMI—a new statewide startup pitch competition awarding up to $1.25 million in investment. Pete shares his journey back to Michigan after building a tech career across New York, Chicago, Florida, and Austin, and how reconnecting with the state’s entrepreneurial community reshaped his view of Michigan as a hub for innovation.

We explore Pete’s role in supporting portfolio companies, the momentum he’s seen across Michigan’s startup ecosystem, and how PitchMI will highlight regional strengths in healthcare, clean tech, mobility, software, and AI. Pete also discusses the importance of fostering collaboration across cities, showcasing Michigan’s competitive advantages, and creating opportunities for founders to access capital, talent, and support networks statewide.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Pete Martin (Director of Portfolio Management, MSU Research Foundation)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn interviews Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, to recap a high-impact fourth quarter of venture activity. Jeff shares highlights from 20 new investments and financial transactions completed between April and June 2025, including support for startups tackling everything from microbiome therapeutics to plant health monitoring, as well as portfolio wins like the acquisition of Atlas Space Operations and a major funding milestone for Traverse City–based Takanak.

We also cover two major announcements: the launch of a new $10.6 million evergreen fund, created with support from the Michigan Innovation Fund, and a $10 million healthcare innovation fund in partnership with Henry Ford Health + MSU Health Sciences. Jeff discusses what these new initiatives mean for early-stage investing in Michigan, and why statewide partnerships are key to building a more competitive startup ecosystem.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Jeff Wesley (Executive Director of Ventures, MSU Research Foundation)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, David Washburn interviews Chad Bassett, Chief Operating Officer of BAMF Health, a precision medicine company transforming how cancer is diagnosed and treated. Based in MSU’s Grand Rapids Innovation Park, BAMF Health combines advanced imaging, targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy, and artificial intelligence to deliver highly personalized care and accelerate clinical trials.

Chad shares the company’s origin story, which began with a 40-year vision sketched on a restaurant placemat and has grown into one of the most advanced cancer treatment centers in the country. The conversation covers BAMF’s expansion to Detroit, its soon-to-launch clinical trial platform called Radio Nexus, and how the company is using AI to improve care and make it more affordable. Chad also discusses BAMF’s partnerships with Michigan State University, GE Healthcare, and the state of Michigan—and why expanding access and modernizing outdated regulations are key to their mission.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Chad Bassett (Chief Operating Officer, BAMF Health)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, we talk with Jon Barada, vice president of IU Ventures, about how Indiana University is building a thriving startup ecosystem powered by alumni engagement and early-stage venture funding. Like the MSU Research Foundation, IU Ventures supports faculty, student, and alumni-led startups through a mix of philanthropic venture funds, an angel network, and community-building programs.

Jon shares how IU Ventures launched its Founders and Funders Network to connect IU-affiliated entrepreneurs with capital, expertise, and one another. We discuss the growing role universities play in early-stage investing—especially in regions underserved by traditional venture capital—and how cross-campus and Big Ten collaboration can help amplify impact. Jon also talks about building trust with advancement teams, cultivating a strong alumni pipeline, and the vision behind the Big Ten Venture Network.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Jon Barada (Vice President, IU Ventures)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.

In this episode, we talk with Peter Falzon, president and CEO of Ripple Science, a clinical trials software company that spun out of the University of Michigan and now serves researchers around the world. Ripple’s platform helps academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry sponsors recruit and retain participants in clinical studies, tackling one of the top reasons clinical trials fail.

Peter shares how he went from launching startups in Silicon Valley and Japan to becoming a mentor-in-residence back in Michigan, where he helped Ripple transition from a homegrown academic tool into a flexible, scalable platform. We discuss the challenges of participant engagement, why trials often struggle to meet recruitment goals, and how Ripple’s AI-powered tools help researchers do more with less. Peter also talks about building the company with support from Michigan’s university and venture capital ecosystems—and why now is a critical moment for clinical research innovation.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Peter Falzon (President and CEO, Ripple Science)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.