Startup Investment News & Pre-Seed Fund Portfolio Updates

FirstIgnite, a SaaS company based in Traverse City, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to enhance its AI-powered prospecting platform for scientific organizations, aiming to streamline research commercialization and corporate partnerships while expanding internationally.

Claira, a Grand Rapids-based HR software company, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to advance its AI-driven approach to uncovering hidden skills, matching people to roles and empowering HR with its intelligent talent assistant. 

East Lansing-based financial technology company, Approva Inc., secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to enhance its web-based platform, providing streamlined lending services, reducing operational costs, and expanding outreach to underserved borrowers.

Michigan-based M3D, Inc., secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to finalize design and launch field pilots for real-time radiation visualization and measurement technologies.

Michigan-based company Tandem, focused on improving financial management for couples with a bill-splitting app, has received an investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to support team expansion, with a focus on product development, design and marketing efforts.

Takanock, a Traverse City-based data center company, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to rethink data center backups, address power constraints, and advance their engineering and designs for future growth. 

CircNova, a Detroit-based biotechnology company, secures investment to advance its flagship AI NovaEngine™ platform, aimed at identifying and generating novel circular non-coding RNA therapeutics.

ATLAS Space Operations, a Traverse City-based satellite communications company, secures investment to advance its flagship Freedom™ software platform, aimed at simplifying and improving communications with satellites worldwide.

Pearl Electric, a Detroit-based company, secures investment to develop a home electrification “concierge” that simplifies projects for consumers and contractors, starting with energy-efficient home heating and cooling.

Motion Grazer AI, a Michigan-based AgTech startup emerging from Michigan State University, and developers of the SIMKit device, which incorporates advanced sensors and analysis to improve livestock health and revolutionize precision breeding, has secured funding from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III for further development.

Grand Rapids-based software company, mfg.parts, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to develop a platform that redefines how product development teams collaborate with manufacturing partners throughout product development. 

Ann Arbor-based cybersecurity firm, SecuritySnares, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to expand its RansomSnares product, designed to detect and mitigate rising ransomware attacks.

Detroit-based marketing company Swish Brand Experiences (SwishBx) secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to further develop their AI-powered platform for streamlining grocery sampling, enhancing CPG marketing, and connecting brands with grocery stores.

Gluten-free, fast casual restaurant, Breadless, secures investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to launch a second location in Rochester Hills, Michigan. 

Grand Rapids medical device startup, The Patient Company, receives a follow-on investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to support sales, manufacturing, and continued development of SimPull, a patient transfer device aimed at improving healthcare efficiency and reducing labor requirements.

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III received the Community Impact award at the Michigan Venture Capital Association annual awards dinner, highlighting significant contributions to Michigan’s startup ecosystem.

Grand Rapids based company LABR, specializing in flexible staffing solutions, has received an investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to support product development, marketing efforts, and market expansion.

Detroit-based company 360ofMe, specializing in secure personal data exchange, has received an investment from Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III to support team expansion, with a focus on marketing, sales and software development efforts.

Lilypad Labs receives investment from Michigan Rise Pre-See Fund III to expand product development and growth of carbon-free boating experience.