DW

David Washburn

Executive Director, MSU Research Foundation

East Lansing, Michigan

Invests in

  • Min Investment:

    $50,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $500,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $100,000.00

Skills

Human Resources (HR)
Board Operation
Board Search
Board Administration
Endowments
Venture Capital
Start-up Ventures
Venture Philanthropy
Venture Development
Research Parks
Real Estate Development
Public-private Partnerships
Investment Management
Non-profit Program Development
Non-profit Leadership
Strategic Planning
Start-ups
Entrepreneurship
Research
Public Speaking

Education

Work Experience

  • Board Member

    2024

    Cambridge Enterprise is part of the University of Cambridge and responsible for supporting the translation of University research to create globally leading economic and social impact through licensing, startup company formation, early stage venture investing and innovation ecosystem development.

  • Executive Director

    2014

    The MSU Research Foundation manages a $500M+ endowment built from decades of licensing revenue. In addition to providing over $10 million in research grants annually, the MSU Research Foundation is focused on technology commercialization, economic development, placemaking and incubation. Through our subsidiary organizations - Spartan Innovations (SI), Red Cedar Ventures (RCV), Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III (MR), and developing select real estate assets – the MSU Research Foundation is a results oriented driver of dynamic partnerships in the Michigan State University Innovation ecosystem.

  • President & Board Director

    2020

    Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III is an early stage venture fund dedicated to helping launch tech start-ups across the state of Michigan. Based in East Lansing, the $20M early stage fund is the result of a partnership between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan State University Research Foundation.

  • President & Board Director

    2014

    Red Cedar Ventures is the pre-seed and early stage venture arm of the Michigan State University Research Foundation. The entity helps startup companies commercializing technologies from Michigan State University overcome funding gaps, accelerate growth and provide follow-on growth-stage capital.

  • President & Board Director

    2014

    Spartan Innovations is a venture development organization and wholly owned subsidiary of the Michigan State University Research Foundation. The organization is focused on accelerating new venture creation derived from students, faculty and staff at Michigan State University. Programs include EIR's, the Conquer Accelerator program, a MedTech Accelerator Program and system of resources designed to move early stage inventions to commercialization.

  • President & CEO

    2011 - 2014

  • Senior Licensing Associate | Assistant Director

    2001 - 2011

Various Entrepreneurial Ventures

1999 - 2001

  • Business Development

    1999 - 2001

  • International Business Development and Corporate Finance

    1997 - 1999

  • Business Development

    1996 - 1997