Charles Hasemann, Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development
The MSU Innovation Center provides resources to MSU faculty and staff to develop and support corporate research relationships, protection and commercialization of novel innovations, new company startups, and a growing portfolio of business and community partnerships.
MSU researchers turn to the MSU Innovation Center for help translating their scientific discoveries into products and new businesses that benefit society and spur economic growth. We work directly with faculty, students and commercial partners, bringing hundreds of discoveries annually into a pipeline of patents, products and startup businesses.
The MSU Innovation Center operates just off campus in the City Center Building at 325 E. Grand River Ave. At that address, several MSU and MSU Research Foundation Groups are co-located, meeting the needs of MSU’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
MSU Business-CONNECT - serves as the front door for businesses to connect with MSU researchers, and facilities to advance technologies and research. These project partnerships can be with large multinational organizations or small business enterprises alike. The unit negotiates all of MSU's corporate sponsored projects, which total more than $25 million annually.
MSU Technologies - facilitates MSU's technology transfer and commercialization, supporting commercial development and public use of technologies and licensable copyrighted materials developed by MSU faculty and staff. Whether it's guidance on the patent process, identifying funding opportunities for technology development, or securing a license, MSU Technologies can assist. Over the past several years, $4 million in royalties have been annually distributed to MSU faculty members and their departments to be reinvested in research. MSUT also supports MSU’s research enterprise by finalizing confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements and data use agreements.
Spartan Innovations - helps MSU's students and faculty launch sustainable startups. This subsidiary of the MSU Research Foundation supports their efforts by connecting them to experienced business leaders, investors, and cultivating community collaborations.
Learn more at innovationcenter.msu.edu or visit us on social: @msuinnovation.