Frank Urban

Spartan Innovations

Spartan Innovations is a wholly owned subsidiary of the MSU Foundation, which fuels economic development and entrepreneurial activities at Michigan State University, across the Greater Lansing Area, Grand Rapids, and throughout the state of Michigan. Through Conquer Accelerator, Entrepreneur-In-Residence, and Mentor-In-Residence programs, and other programs, Spartan Innovations provides fundamental resources entrepreneurs need to grow their venture. Beyond programming, Spartan Innovations supports startups with market assessment, commercial development, business plan development, gap funds, and grant funding. Companies created through Spartan Innovation's process will pitch to our venture funds, Red Cedar Ventures or Michigan Rise for early-stage funding. In 2021 the Grand Rapids Smartzone and LDFA approved an agreement with Spartan Innovations & Start Garden to collaborate and manage its SmartZone Incubator, BAF/Gateway, and related hi-tech business support services. To learn more about Spartan Innovations Grand Rapids services, contact Kyle McGregor at kyle@spartaninnovations.org.