Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2026 - David Washburn, MSU Research Fdt - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with David Washburn, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Dave Washburn, head of the MSU Research Foundation, described the 54-year-old nonprofit's mission to commercialize university research through tech transfer, licensing, startup incubation, and venture investing — all funded by an endowment built largely from royalties generated by the cancer drugs cisplatin and carboplatin, developed at MSU decades ago. The foundation has invested in 280 companies, created 2,500 jobs, and manages about $60 million, making it the most active early-stage investor in Michigan. A major current initiative is "Pitch Me," a statewide business plan competition run in partnership with the MEDC that offers a $1 million investment as its top prize, with regional competitions planned across Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Detroit, and Marquette covering sectors like AI, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. The foundation also recently announced a new $10 million innovation fund in partnership with MSU and Henry Ford Health, focused on discoveries emerging from their joint research collaboration. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/