Feb. 1, 2025 | Read time 1 min

Calling All Creators: Showcase Your Vision of MSU Entrepreneurship

By Erin Timmerman

At Michigan State University, entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business—it’s a mindset of innovation, creativity, and resilience. The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is calling on Spartans to showcase that spirit through a t-shirt design tournament, providing them an opportunity to share their vision, inspire others, and leave a lasting mark on campus.

Whether you’re an aspiring designer or simply passionate about entrepreneurship, the tournament invites students from all majors to submit original designs that capture what entrepreneurship at MSU means to them. Whether it’s an expression of bold ideas, collaboration, or the journey of turning dreams into reality, this theme aims to celebrate the diverse paths Spartans take in shaping the future.

Entrepreneurship is about embracing creativity and taking risks to solve real-world problems, says Ken Szymusiak, managing director of academic programs at the Burgess Institute. We want this contest to inspire students to think about how their ideas can make a difference—and to share that vision through design.

After designs are submitted, the tournament will be held in a bracket-style format on social media, where the MSU community will vote for their favorite designs each round via Instagram Stories starting March 18, 2025, with the winner announced during 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week on Monday, March 31, 2025.

The winning design will be featured on a t-shirt and sticker for the 2025-26 academic year, distributed by the Burgess Institute. A sticker will be created with the runner-up design and both will be featured on the Burgess Institute’s social media platforms and a story article.

“Spartan entrepreneurs have launched ventures across diverse industries, including technology, health and wellness, sustainable fashion, and consumer goods,” says Lori Fischer, Director of Operations at the Burgess Institute. “Their stories often begin with a small idea—just like this design tournament.”

Designs must be submitted to Qualtrics between Saturday, February 1 – Saturday, March 1, 2025, to be eligible to participate. All designs must be original, created solely by the participant. No pre-made designs or copied works will be accepted. The design should visually represent entrepreneurship at MSU. Submissions should reflect the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that the Burgess Institute embodies. Designs must be submitted in a digital format, such as PNG, JPEG, or vector files. Participants are encouraged to ensure that their designs are high quality, as these designs will be printed on t-shirts. While adherence to MSU’s and the Burgess Institute branding guidelines, including logo use, color scheme, and fonts, is recommended, it is not mandatory.

Ready to leave your mark on MSU’s entrepreneurial community? It all starts with a design

Madison Marsh Author of The Cut Cookbook Named 2022 Ian Gray Scholar in Entrepreneurship Studies

By John Hart

Madison Marsh knows the best ingredients to every meal are passion and joy. As the author of The Cut Cookbook, Marsh, an MSU senior within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is 2022’s recipient of the Ian Gray Scholarship in Entrepreneurial Studies.

Today, Marsh’s cutting-edge recipes aim to serve her community, taking strides to make her customers’ cooking experiences easy, fun, and delicious.

Inspired to share her love of cooking, Marsh wrote The Cut Cookbook focusing on easy-to-make recipes with delicious, organic ingredients. The book also showcases Marsh’s photography throughout, placing the spotlight on the beauty surrounding her home in Northern Michigan. Marsh aims to spread her passion for healthy and organic food while honoring the many wonders Michigan has to offer.

Busy daily schedules and complicated recipes, cooking often becomes a chore for many. Recognizing the power of a good meal, Marsh knows food brings people together and nurtures the body and soul. The Cut is designed to encourage adventurousness in the kitchen and inspire cooks of all skills levels.

“Cooking should not be a stressful experience,” Marsh explained. “With The Cut Cookbook, we are creating the mind, plus body, plus food connection to help our consumers restore their relationship with food and find joy in cooking.”

Each year, The Ian Gray Scholarship is awarded to an MSU student exhibiting exceptional qualities of an entrepreneur. Named after Ian Gray, who spearheaded the creation of the Innovation Center and served as vice president for Research and Graduate Studies at MSU for nearly a decade, this scholarship honors Marsh’s determination as a young, motivated innovator.

The recipient of the Ian Gray Scholarship receives ,000 per semester to help cover tuition or student expenses. With her tuition supported, Marsh plans to invest more into her venture, expanding The Cut Cookbook’s reach while creating new products under The Cut brand to serve her customers.

“After launching The Cut Cookbook, we had tremendous feedback from our customers saying how much they loved the quick, easy, and healthy recipes,” Marsh expressed. “This sparked an idea for me to create The Cut Vegan sauces, a versatile line of delicious shelf-stable sauces that can be used to elevate your cooking experience.”

Marsh’s involvement within the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has helped provide resources, support, and experience opportunities to feed her curiosity and passions. In April, she found herself competing against fourteen Spartan student semifinalist teams. Marsh received fifth place and won people’s choice award in the 2022 Burgess New Venture Challenge. Most recently, Marsh travelled to Chicago to compete in DePaul University’s Fifth Annual University Pitch Madness Competition, using the experience to network with student innovators from across the Midwest, and make connections with inspiring community members.

Marsh also serves as President of MSU’s Women in Entrepreneurship student organization, leading a team of motivated student innovators with the experience she’s gained through her opportunities.

Her goal is to grow her business and pursue her entrepreneurial passion full-time after graduation. Marsh says, “I will be graduating after this year, and I hope that throughout my senior year, I can help inspire other young aspiring entrepreneurs at MSU because it has been a fantastic learning experience and a place to grow.”

To learn more about Madison Marsh’s journey, and to find your copy of The Cut Cookbook, visit www.thecutmi.com.

Alum View: Nurturing Innovation and Empowering Entrepreneurs at Michigan State University

Sheela Sethuraman earned her Master of Arts in Education Technology from the College of Education at Michigan State University in 1997. Today, Sheela brings over 20 years of experience in educational technology, specializing in K-12 classrooms. As the Founder and CEO of CueThink, she has successfully developed and implemented a scalable math problem-solving platform that promotes critical thinking and collaboration skills. Sheela’s leadership has secured M in funding from notable sources like the National Science Foundation, Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, LearnLaunch, and angel investors. She has forged strong partnerships with prominent curriculum publishers and has effectively sold her product to school districts nationwide.

As a long-time EdTech entrepreneur, I have experienced many of the same ups and downs that several startups go through, from struggling to find product-market fit to pivoting to a more sustainable partnership model or going from making less-than-stellar hiring choices to building a mission-driven, agile team. I have a real-life story to tell that may be helpful to someone else. So, when I was invited to a fireside chat at Michigan State University in 2019 to share my journey with other young Spartans embarking on their own ventures, I immediately said yes.

Visiting East Lansing after 20 years brought back many fond memories. Having first set foot on campus in 1996 for a master’s degree, the familiarity of MSU upon my return was a welcome comfort, though so much had changed. The buildings and spaces had been modernized and infused with all the latest technologies. Still, that same sense of community and collaborative spirit that had drawn me to the institution remains. I felt this vibrance in 2019 when I was speaking at the Gaynor Lab in the Minskoff Pavilion, and I felt it again when I went back in 2023 to judge the Burgess New Venture Challenge. During my first visit back, I knew I wanted to stay more involved and absorb this community, as much as I was interested in giving back. So, when the Burgess Institute invited me to join as an entrepreneur-in-residence, I couldn’t resist.

As an EIR, we attend pitches on a weekly schedule and offer feedback on products, markets, financials, etc. These sessions help participants refine their vision and prepare them for pitch competitions within MSU and elsewhere. Hearing the names of the entrepreneurs and the companies many months later in newsletters and public forums, recognized for winning awards or closing sales deals, gave me a sense of pride and joy. EIRs are also matched with one or two companies to provide mentorship in an ongoing manner. This role is gratifying. Particularly so when I get the opportunity to mentor women founders and co-founders. As a solo founder of my own company and a woman of color, I am especially interested in helping young female entrepreneurs break down barriers in the startup world and accomplish their goals with tenacity and determination. In turn, my mentees have helped reawaken my youthful passion for new ideas and out-of-the-box solutions.

I was tentative during my early days of pitching to investors. As an EIR, I aim to ensure my mentees avoid repeating that mistake. Instead, I push them to paint a bold vision and back it up with a show of confidence. As minorities in the startup space, we often feel the need to gather all the validation metrics before investors can take us seriously. My mentees must know that they don’t need all the answers to succeed, only a roadmap and a flexible plan for how to get there. Another young female founder asked me how to ‘lean in’ to a conversation where she was the only woman at the table. I encouraged her to speak with authority while also building fluency and depth in the essential domains of her business. My message: Become an expert in your field of interest, and everyone will stop to listen. Believe in yourself, and others will start doing the same. These are words I often repeat whenever I have a chance to speak with other female entrepreneurs.

The opportunity to continue my journey at MSU has allowed me to learn and grow while sharing my knowledge of the startup space with the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. This would not have been possible without the never-ending support of Chris Sell, who has provided me with numerous opportunities to give back to this vibrant community. A special thanks, as well, to Aaryn Richard, whose infectious exuberance keeps us mentors and mentees alike eager to show up every day. I would be remiss if I did not also thank Paul Jacques, Lori Fischer, and Aubrey Haase for their tireless efforts to grow the EIR program from the ground up and the sense of family they have created. I am lucky to call them my colleagues and friends.

So many creative, innovative, and determined young changemakers at MSU are ready to take their businesses to the next level. All they need is the belief that they, and only they, can fill the gap. My mentors have encouraged me to pursue positive affirmations and mantras backed by intense hard work. I feel fortunate to be able to impart the same to these amazing Spartans.

Burgess Institute Launches New Annual Gathering, Venture Summit

by: Aaryn Richard

East Lansing, Mich. — The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is thrilled to announce the start of a new annual fall tradition: Venture Summit. The institute will host its first annual gathering on September 23 and 24, 2022.

Venture Summit 2022 invites Spartan entrepreneurs, investors, makers, and shakers — alumni and students alike — to converge on campus to celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and, this year, the 10th anniversary of the MSU Hatch.

2022 marks the MSU Hatch’s decade of service to Spartan venturers. The co-working and startup incubator space is at the heart of MSU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Hatch, as many Spartan entrepreneurs lovingly refer to it, provides a centralized co-working space just off campus, across Grand River Avenue from the Union. It’s where students interested in starting their own companies become part of the Burgess Institute’s Discovery and Launch programs. Once on board, students receive hands-on mentorship, apply for, and receive, financial resources, and discover a community of like-minded doers.

Paul Jaques, managing director of venture creation at the Burgess Institute, leads the team that established the MSU Hatch.

Back in 2011, the Hatch was a glimmer of an idea. A group of dedicated entrepreneurial students, calling themselves the Gumball Club, were searching for a space where they could launch their business ideas, Jaques reflects. We cobbled together funding, found a suitable space, and launched the Hatch. The rest is history.

Since then, Michigan State University has become a top-ranking, globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education. The facts bear this out: since 2016 alone, over 1,000 students have engaged with the Burgess Institute’s entrepreneurship programming, starting more than 800 companies at the MSU Hatch. Those companies have gone on to raise more than .8 million in funding to fuel their startups’ growth.

With Venture Summit 2022, said Jaques, we’re excited to celebrate a decade of entrepreneurship education with the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have made MSU a destination for aspiring founders. This annual conference will offer attendees access to thought leaders within the entrepreneurial space and networking opportunities, all while showcasing student startups and inventions. Together, we will celebrate the supportive alumni and friends who have helped us advance the program since its inception.

Registration for Venture Summit 2022 is now open. The two-day gathering will kick off on Friday, September 23 at 9am with the Burgess Institute’s External Advisory Board. From there, attendees will get the chance to network, visit a student expo, and, in the evening, wine and dine at the Broad Art Museum. On Saturday, September 24, Venture Summit will close out with an Entrepreneurship Tailgate at the Spartan Stadium.

For FAQ and advance reservation details, please visit the event link.

Nov. 13, 2024 | Read time 1 min

MSU Entrepreneurship Program Named No. 4 in the Midwest by The Princeton Review

By Aubrey Haase

For the seventh consecutive year, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Michigan State University has been recognized as a national leader in entrepreneurship education in the United States. The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine ranked MSU at No. 4 in the Midwest and No. 11 in the U.S., up from No. 13.

“This recognition reflects our students’ passion, the dedication of our staff and faculty, and the level of support from our accomplished alums and community,” said Laurel Ofstein, faculty director of the Burgess Institute.

Since its inception in 2012, the Institute has empowered students to learn through action in and out of the classroom—with the entrepreneurial mindset at the core of all the Institute does.

In the classroom, MSU launched a university-wide minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2016, which currently enrolls more than 650 undergraduates, with thousands of students participating in more than 40 academic entrepreneurship courses and representing the 154 unique majors across all 17 degree-granting colleges. Our courses and programs focus on guiding student success by practicing problem-solving, resilience, risk tolerance, and storytelling skills. The Institute intentionally selected each course and program to teach and instill these mindset practices in students.

“By blending practical experience with core principles, we ensure Spartans are ready to innovate and lead,” said Ken Szymusiak, the Burgess Institute’s managing director of academic programs.

Beyond the classroom, the Venture Creation program provides early- and advanced-stage students with industry-specific consultants, mentoring opportunities with successful entrepreneurial alums, programming loaded with in-kind services, and seed funding to move their ideas forward.

“Our programs not only support students in launching their businesses, but also nurture the entrepreneurial mindset that drives long-term success and innovation,” said Paul Jaques, managing director of venture creation at the Burgess Institute.

The Institute recently launched Student-Made Michigan State, an outlet for creators and makers to sell their products and showcase their businesses to the university, the local community, and our alumni network, in the fall of 2023.

“Student-Made provides a unique platform for students to showcase their talents, grow their businesses, and engage with the MSU community.” said Lori Fischer, the Burgess Institute’s director of operations. “We want to inspire young entrepreneurs, who might fear starting a business all on their own with no prior knowledge, into taking that first step of turning an idea into reality.”

In its inaugural year, Student-Made saw incredible success, processing over 450 orders from 36 creators, generating the highest revenue of all participating campuses. Student-Made partnered with Eat at State to provide shelf space for student creators to sell their products in Sparty’s Market at 1855 Place and Kellogg Market in the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. This year, they expanded their market locations to two new locations in the MSU Union and MSU Dairy Store.

In addition to its market locations, Student-Made actively engaged the campus community through pop-up events, like the Union Arts and Crafts Show. In partnership with the East Lansing Arts Festival, the event brings in 40,000-60,000 people and 330 artists and crafters. The show offered a busy venue for student entrepreneurs to showcase their products and engage with a wider audience. These pop-ups have helped build excitement for student-made goods and have allowed creators to build lasting relationships with individuals and other businesses while receiving feedback on their ventures.

Several student entrepreneurs have seen substantial growth and success through their participation in Student-Made.

Megan Timmerman, creator and owner of Bluthreads and Co., a handmade embroidered apparel brand, shared, “Being part of Student-Made has opened up countless opportunities for me.” Over the past year, Timmerman collaborated with fellow creators, participated in numerous pop-up events, and experienced significant engagement through the markets, highlighting the positive impact Student-Made has had on her business growth.

The Princeton Review surveyed more than 300 schools across data points about the schools’ entrepreneurship programs, faculties, students and alumni, such as experiential learning opportunities, career outcomes and business success. Burgess Institute students and alumni have created more than 1,000 businesses and have raised 0M in follow-on funding and investment.

“While the Institute’s focus of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and inspiring professional and startup growth has not changed, we are always evaluating and refining our programs to ensure we’re providing the best possible student experience, Ofstein said.

“By continuously adapting to the evolving needs of our students, we are committed to preparing them for success in an ever-changing entrepreneurial landscape,” she said.

More information about the annual rankings of undergraduate and graduate schools for entrepreneurship studies is available via The Princeton Review.

Michigan-Collegiate-Startup-Challenge-2022-Winners

Contact: Aaryn Richard

East Lansing, MICH — On Friday, November 11, twenty semifinalist startup teams from eleven universities across Michigan competed for ,500 cash prizes. For the second year in a row, the Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge (MCSC) celebrated student entrepreneurship and innovation.

This year was MCSC’s first in-person event, said Aubrey Haase, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s events and engagement coordinator. Haase, who works behind the scenes, made this year’s competition come to life. MCSC is a collaboration, and 2022’s event, co-hosted with Central Michigan University’s Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, saw more students participate. The event is growing.

The pitch competition was a collaboration between Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Mid-Michigan College, Northern Michigan University, and Wayne State University. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation sponsors the event.

Selected from the top 10 finalists, ,500 was dispersed to the four winning startups. Two teams received the People’s Choice award, receiving 0 each.

2022’s Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge Winners

Top 4 (in order of placement):

1. Jordan Craven, Tall and Small Designs – Michigan Technological University

Tall and Small Designs is a software service for retailers to provide form-fitting mockups of online clothing products for consumers.

2. Austin Pollock, REEL FREE – Michigan State University

REEL FREE is a retractable oxygen tubing system designed to keep lengthy tubing organized and tangle-free.

3. Michael Meadows, Protein Pints – University of Michigan

Protein Pints provides gluten-free protein-based ice-cream using 100% grass-fed whey.

4. Rourke Sylvain, Integrated Molecular Innovations – Michigan Technological University

Integrated Molecular Innovations is an electrochemical biosensor for at-home detection of T4 thyroid levels.

People’s Choice:

John Hart, Fello – Michigan State University

Fello is an app designed to connect creatives and artists in local areas through project sharing and collaboration.

Elias Giannakopoulos, RENTR – Grand Valley State University

RENTR is an app providing various solutions to make real estate easy, including maintenance, communication, and financial advising.

Students spent the first portion of the day pitching their ideas to judges. Ten start-ups were selected to move to the finalist showcase round. Congratulations to every competing team and to the night’s winners.

2023’s Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge will be hosted by Central Michigan University’s Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship.

11 Spartan-Owned Michigan Businesses to Support 2020’s Holiday Season

By Chelsea Stein, Aaryn Richard

Consider giving a gift that will help a Spartan this holiday season. Together, the Broad College and Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation compiled 11 Michigan-based businesses, run by MSU alumni and students, as a handy holiday guide for your gifting this season.

Spartan Alumni

Bon Bon Bon

Who doesn’t love chocolate? The gourmet creations you’ll find at Bon Bon Bon, run by chocolatier Alexandra Clark (B.A. Hospitality Business ’10), have earned their spot on Bloomberg’s World’s Best Chocolate list.

Since 2014, this Broad alumna-owned business has used classic methods and Detroit ingenuity and has managed to hand-make and hand-package more than 320,000 Bons annually in “Willy Wonka-esque” flavors. Clark and her team of native Hamtramckans, brand-new Detroiters, immigrants, artists and dreamers have united around one central idea: good people deserve sincerely good chocolate.

Hickory Creek Winery

Why not pair wine with those Bon Bon Bons? Whether you’re pairing wine with chocolate or simply needing the perfect gift for a wine enthusiast, check out Hickory Creek Winery.

Located on 38 acres of rolling farmland in the southwesternmost corner of the Great Lakes State, this winery is owned by Adam McBride (B.A. Social Relations ’99, MBA ’16) and offers limited-release vintages in an old-world style featuring Michigan grapes.

Hickory Creek produces a carefully curated selection of dry red, dry white, rosé and a few off-dry wines to showcase the winemaking potential of the region. McBride focuses on quality over quantity and complex flavor over the cloying sweetness that many other wineries in the Midwest bring to market.

Tasting flight kits have been wildly popular since their launch in April 2020. The kits are available in several formats and include individually bottled 1.7 oz tasting pours, a tasting glass and palate-cleansing crackers. While sipping, you can also enjoy a virtual guided tasting with Hickory Creek’s winemaker, included with the flight kit purchase.

BRITE bites

Superfoods are all the rage now. To delight the super-foodie in your life, look to BRITE bites, an all-natural probiotic snack bite company, which stands true to its core values: Balanced. Real. Integrity. Trust. Energy.

Founder Bri Makaric (B.A. Advertising Management ’20) struggled with nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems growing up and had to rely on probiotics in pill form. This personal problem led her to start the company so that people could get probiotics from real sources of food instead of pills.

BRITE bites are gluten-free, dairy-free superfood snack bites that contain organic chia and pumpkin seeds as well as live probiotics. These snack bites are the perfect on-the-go breakfast to keep you energized and ready to power through the day!

York Project

Looking for the perfect gift to win the respect of your Gen Zer? Check out York Project, a Detroit-based clothing company selling premium basics. Founded by alumnus Josh York (B.A. Supply Chain Management ’16), alongside partner Hugh LeFevre (B.A. Accounting and Finance ’18), York Project is driven by three simple values: take care of people, make great products and do so in a way that minimizes the impact on the planet.

By December, 100% of York Project’s line will be manufactured in Detroit with sustainable materials. While York Project has suspended normal operations to produce protective face masks for COVID-19, stay tuned to the website because they’ll be launching new items very soon. A must-have this year from the new line: York Project’s legging made from recycled water bottles!

What’s even better? With each product sold, York Project provides living essentials to the homeless in the Detroit community through monthly volunteer and outreach events. In fact, to date, the company has made over 4,000 worth of donations to helping the homeless and home-insecure. People. Product. Planet. What’s not to feel good about?

VADE Nutrition

Are you getting your daily protein intake? Give the gift of nutrition and immunity this holiday season with VADE Nutrition dissolvable protein scoops.

Joe (B.A. Finance ’16) and Megan Johnson founded VADE Nutrition and invented dissolvable packs for protein powder after they realized that scooping protein powder in the car covered their seats in powder. Even more frustrating, taking protein powder on the go was impossible without prepping portions into a plastic bag or bottle.

After appearing on Shark Tank and landing a deal with Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez in 2018, VADE has grown exponentially. Due to the overwhelming success of their 100% whey isolate protein, Joe and Megan have developed other nutritional products with the same dissolvable technology. VADE Nutrition now offers a wide range of products that also includes plant-based meal replacement and pre-workout.

Flowers of Vietnam

Maybe the right gift is a dining experience in Michigan’s largest city. Consider making plans to eat at Flowers of Vietnam, Detroit’s finest Vietnamese restaurant, run by chef, owner and founder George Azar (B.A. Business ’14). Transformed from one of the city’s historic original Coney Islands, Flowers is a vanguard of Detroit’s dining scene.

The menu features Vietnamese street food ranging from the wildly popular caramel chicken wings to exceptionally crafted pho, papaya salad and broken rice, as well as vegan and gluten-free favorites. The cocktail and beverage program is one of Detroit’s strongest, offering fresh and modern twists on classic drinks.

Look forward to a lively, fun and quintessentially Detroit experience at Flowers of Vietnam, located in Mexicantown. Flowers of Vietnam provides safely distanced in-house dining, full patio, carryout, to-go cocktails and custom catering for small and large events.

Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Pie is an essential part of the holiday season for many families. Since 1996, Denise and Mike Busley have grown Grand Traverse Pie Co. to make amazing pies, warm memories with family and friends and a positive impact in each of its communities by focusing on the greater good in all they do. They focus on creating a warm and cozy “home away from home” for guests in each of their pie shops.

Denise and Mike, from the Class of 1980, certainly recognize how Spartans can be found far beyond Michigan. They happily deliver and ship their pies to all 50 states, adding a taste of home to the holidays no matter where you find yourself.

MSU Students

Good Mood Food

Another option if you’re buying for someone in tune with health and wellness is Good Mood Food. This health food company, founded by advertising and public relations master’s student Brianna Belanger, believes that liveliness, positivity, prosperity and healthfulness all begin with what you eat. When you eat good food, you feel good; when you feel good, you do good.

At the heart of the company’s mission is a commitment to transparency and simplicity in all that they do. This includes simplifying nutrition into easy-to-understand terms, educating consumers so they can make informed decisions about personal health and wellness, guiding customers in developing a healthy lifestyle that works for them or, of course, offering functional, nutrient-rich food products made with simple, minimal ingredients.

Bite into the quinoa brittle, which comes in three flavors — peanut butter, vanilla almond and cocoa coconut — and combines wholesome ingredients into uniquely sized, satisfyingly crunchy, slightly sweet snack bars. Or try the mixed nut butters in three blends — coconut cashew, almond cashew, and cacao coconut almond — all of which can be spread, drizzled or enjoyed straight off the spoon!

INFKNIT

Gifting for someone who’s into fashion? INFKNIT Apparel Inc. could be the perfect fit. Cofounded by Broad students Jackie Smythe and Olivia Miller, INFKNIT offers sustainable, versatile apparel for people on the go.

As seen in British Vogue, the products — the No. 1 Dress, Back2Back Long Sleeve and Jack of All Trades — are completely reversible and offer functional features intended to maximize wearability while minimizing space. INFKNIT also sells beanies, scrunchies and masks made from fabric scraps to reduce waste. Each product is reversible, crafted from sustainable fabrics and manufactured at Soft Goods Detroit.

As the textiles industry remains a top contributor to the growing issue of climate change, INFKNIT products help counteract the phenomena of fast fashion. The concept of intertwining reversible clothing with slow fashion is what sets this company apart. Look great and take action on climate issues with the styles from INFKNIT.

Black Educated

Black Educated is less of a brand and more movement.

Created by a physiology major, D’Mario Northington’s company offers clothing items made for pure comfort, such as T-shirts, crewnecks and hoodies, to people who identify as Black and educated. These pieces give customers a sense of empowerment and confidence wherever they go.

Black Educated aspires to utilize its platform to educate people about the great things Black entrepreneurs, creators and influencers are doing in this world. Moreover, the company and its products stand as a way to bring communities of color together and raise awareness about other Black-founded and Black-owned businesses big and small.

Land Grant Goods

If you’re hunting for an eco-friendly gift, look no further. Land Grant Goods was launched in 2017 by a group of MSU RISE students committed to sustainable entrepreneurship. The students partnered with the Bailey Bee Team, along with Bailey Greenhouse and Urban Farm, to develop value-added agricultural products such as tea and honey, which are LGG’s most popular products today.

LGG is an interdisciplinary, co-curricular experience that exists to inspire MSU students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation through small, sustainable business management.

This group of dedicated Spartans now operates from the Venture Kitchen, an incubator kitchen space in the MSU Union, and has expanded their product line to include lip balms and other cosmetics, which are sold online. LGG takes pride in developing environmentally friendly products that are good for the planet, good for business and good for you. While LGG has had to temporarily suspend operations due to COVID-19, you’ll want to keep checking the website as they have plans to reopen for the holiday season!

These are just a small collection of products from the many talented MSU alumni and student entrepreneurs. We hope they inspire you to seek out and support Spartans this holiday season!

Sept. 16, 2024 | Read time 1 min

New Landmark Initiative Announced at Michigan State University to Elevate Entrepreneurial Excellence

By Aubrey Haase

Michigan State University has announced a new landmark initiative designed to engage a community of supporters to elevate MSU’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and scale its impact on today’s students and tomorrow’s innovators.

Spartan Founders Club unites alumni and friends of Michigan State University — including entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and philanthropists — around a shared goal of supporting student entrepreneurship education at the University. In partnership with the new community of supporters, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will advance its wide spectrum of resources and services for the thousands of students it engages annually through curricular or co-curricular programming.

“The Spartan Founders Club will transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem at MSU,” said Laurel Ofstein, faculty director at the Burgess Institute. “This initiative is more than just a networking opportunity—it’s about Spartans supporting Spartans, building a future where ideas are supported, funded, and grown into successful ventures.”

Through philanthropic contributions and dedication of time, expertise, and talents, members of the Spartan Founders Club will enjoy a variety of benefits, including access to exclusive networking events, and the opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded Spartans passionate about entrepreneurship and investment opportunities through the Spartan Angel Network.

In collaboration with the MSU Research Foundation, the Spartan Angel Network plays a pivotal role in providing capital and support for early-stage Spartan-affiliated ventures. This powerful connection between founders and investors fosters a spirit of collaboration and shared success, with the common goal of elevating Spartan-led businesses.

The Spartan Angel Network aims to bridge the gap between great ideas and the resources necessary to execute them. Members of the Spartan Founders Club who choose to be part of the Spartan Angel Network will serve as mentors, advisors and partners for entrepreneurs to help propel innovative ventures forward.

“Through this partnership with the MSU Research Foundation, the Burgess Institute will provide entrepreneurs access to not only the financial backing they need but also the expertise and network required to thrive in today’s competitive business environment,” said Sean Fochtman, director of alumni venture support at the Burgess Institute.

Pete Martin (’09, Hospitality Business), a proud MSU alum and head of connection at the Michigan Founders Fund is among the first to commit to the Spartan Founders Club. As an inaugural member, Pete is excited about advocating for Spartans to join the cause. “The Spartan 300 is working to build a future brighter than we can imagine. I’m proud to be part of this powerful philanthropic community, united in support of the next generation of MSU entrepreneurs,” he shared.

The Spartan Founders Club is a consortium of MSU alumni and friends from different industries, interests, and career stages. The common thread will be a collective goal to take MSU’s nationally-ranked campus-wide entrepreneurship program to new heights.

“We need Spartans who are ready to make an impact,” said Christopher Sell, Burgess Institute’s associate director for development. “Whether you are an experienced investor, a seasoned entrepreneur, or simply someone with a passion for innovation, the Spartan Founders Club provides a platform for you to make a lasting impact.”

With the support of 300 Spartans, the Spartan Founders Club will continue to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment for MSU students and Spartan-affiliated ventures. In collaboration with the new community of dedicated supporters, the Institute looks forward to building a future where MSU continues to lead the way in entrepreneurship and innovation.

To join the Spartan Founders Club, visit https://entrepreneurship.msu.edu/Spartan-Founders-Club.

More information about the Spartan Founders Club is available via the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Sept. 9, 2024 | Read time 1 min

Announcing Keynote Speaker for 2024 Venture Summit

By Erin Timmerman

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Michigan State University, powered by the Richard Fordyce EndowedSpeakerSeries, is excited to welcome alum, chair of footwear and creative associate at Pensole Lewis College, E.Scott Morris (’89, Studio Art), to the 2024 Venture Summit as this year’s keynote speaker on Friday, September 27. With 30+ years in the industry, Morris will dive into the multifaceted world where entrepreneurship meets creativity and share his inspiration and motivation from working for Nike, Under Armour and Anta Sports, where he shaped iconic footwear and drove innovation.

With Morris as this year’s keynote speaker, Spartan leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators can expect to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation with a thought-provoking, insightful session.

Additionally, attendees can expect to engage in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and a student showcase and celebrate exemplary students involved in entrepreneurship and innovation at MSU.

2024 Schedule

Welcome

In an inspiring talk, Alina Morse (‘27, Finance), CEO of Zolli Candy, will share how she started her mission-driven, sugar-free candy company at seven years old, emphasizing the importance of integrating creative thinking and innovative approaches into her entrepreneurial endeavors and why she chose to attend MSU as an entrepreneur.

Introduction to Entrepreneurial Support and Education

Learn how aspiring Spartan entrepreneurs and innovators can leverage the educational resources and support available at Michigan State University to understand the power of entrepreneurial education with the Minor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Venture Creation programs.

Made at Michigan State: Reaching Customers as a Creative

Discover how Spartan creatives are growing their businesses with Student-Made Michigan State. This session will highlight four MSU student entrepreneurs, Yuktha Pulavarthi, owner of Macaronza!, Jillian Whitley, owner of J. Margaret, Ella Lynch, founder of Stuck on You Design Co., and Katyra Waller, founder of BC Cosmetics, highlighting how these creators have integrated innovative strategies into their business models to drive success.

The Spartan 300: Supporting the Next Generation of Spartan Entrepreneurs

Spartans are bold and stand together, this session will highlight MSU’s newest initiative, in collaboration with the MSU Research Foundation, to help MSU students and grow MSU’s campus-wide nationally ranked entrepreneurship education program featuring Pete Martin (‘09, Hospitality Business), director of connection at Michigan Founders Fund.

Student Showcase

The Student Showcase provides an opportunity for MSU student entrepreneurs, early and advanced, to feature their innovative ideas and creative businesses while networking with the Spartan leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators attending the 2024 Venture Summit.

Keynote Speaker, Ceremony & Reception

To conclude the evening, the Burgess Institute will recognize the outstanding entrepreneurial achievements of the 2023-24 scholarship recipients, followed by a networking reception.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from E.Scott Morris at the 2024 Venture Summit Friday, September 27, 2024, in East Lansing. To register, visit https://bit.ly/venturesummit-2024.

More information about Venture Summit is available via the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Sept. 6, 2024 | Read time 1 min

The Rise of the Student-Made Marketplace at Michigan State

By Erin Timmerman

Student-Made Michigan State has expanded into two new market locations on Michigan State University’s campus. This expansion highlights the marketplace’s impact and success over the past year, proving to be a crucial collaboration with the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Student-Made Marketplace

Student-Made is a platform designed to empower student entrepreneurs by allowing them to sell their products in a retail space. The marketplace connects Spartan creators with a broader audience, offering them exposure and retail experience. Since its creation, Student-Made has made significant strides, contributing to the growth of student-led businesses and promoting an entrepreneurial and supportive spirit on campus.

Recent Expansions

Student-Made Michigan State’s expansion into two new markets shows the growing popularity and demand for student-created products. Their new locations at the MSU Dairy Store and Union Sparty’s Market, both popular meeting spots on campus, are expected to significantly increase awareness for the marketplace and student creators. Student-Made hopes that by placing student-created products in high-traffic areas, a conversation will be started and motivate individuals to support student ventures.

Pop-Up Events

In addition to its market locations, Student-Made has been actively engaging the campus community through pop-up events, like the Union Arts and Crafts Show. In partnership with the East Lansing Arts Festival, the event brings in 40,000-60,000 people and 330 artists and crafters. The show offered a busy venue for student entrepreneurs to showcase their products and engage with a wider audience. These pop-ups have helped build excitement for student-made goods and have allowed creators to build lasting relationships with individuals and other businesses while receiving feedback on their ventures.

Impact on Student Entrepreneurs

One of the most impressive aspects of Student-Made’s inaugural year at MSU is the remarkable performance of the campus despite its small team size. Of all the campuses participating in the Student-Made program, MSU’s team achieved the highest revenue, a testament to the dedication and drive of the students and team. This success story reflects hard work and the unique opportunities Student-Made and the Burgess Institute provide students.

Several student entrepreneurs have seen substantial growth and success through their participation in Student-Made.

Megan Timmerman, Student-Made creator and owner of Bluthreads and co., a handmade embroidered apparel brand, said, Being a part of Student-Made has introduced me to countless opportunities. Last year, Timmerman collaborated with Ella Lynch, owner of Stuck On You Design Co., participated in pop-ups, and received incredible engagement from being in the markets – showcasing Student-Made’s impact on her business development.

The expansion of Student-Made and its strong performance in the first year on campus demonstrate the effectiveness of teamwork and the importance of supporting student-creators at MSU. With the highest revenue of all participating campuses, MSU’s achievements showcase its students’ impressive potential and talent.

As Student-Made grows, there will be more opportunities for students and a broader impact on MSU’s entrepreneurship education programs.

More information is available via Student-Made Michigan State, and to stay up-to-date with on- and off-campus Student-Made events in the Lansing area, follow @studentmade_michiganstate on Instagram.