For those ready to scale their finance or insurance startup, the application period for the 2025 Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator cohort is now open. The program is a partnership between the Michigan State University Research Foundation, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), and the Eli Broad College of Business Insurance and Risk Management Program.
The Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator is a 10-week program with a mix of virtual and in-person sessions that provide mentorship, education, and industry insights for startups looking to get to their next stage in development.
The program focuses on overcoming industry-specific challenges while providing access to key decisionmakers, investors, and partners. From practical skill-building to inspirational “Founder Hour” talks with successful entrepreneurs, the Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator is designed to give startups everything they need to thrive. Participants will also benefit from a $50,000 total investment package, access to MSU’s vast alumni network, and free coworking spaces to foster creativity and collaboration.
Five startups will be chosen to participate in the cohort that will be held Jan. 27 to April 4, 2025. Selected teams will also receive investment support from MSU Research Foundation venture investment subsidiary, Red Cedar Ventures, upon successful program completion.
“Michigan is a thriving focal point for aspiring entrepreneurs because of the wealth of resources provided by the organizations within our community and the strength of the partnerships in our ecosystem,” said Ben Maxim, Chief Innovation Officer at MSUFCU. “We are excited to host and support the second Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator in partnership with the MSU Research Foundation and Broad College of Business, and to continue serving our community by empowering the innovative ideas taking shape in our industry.”
The startups in the inaugural cohort that was held in early 2024 included Newzip, Approva, Frich, Ascent Platform, and ScribeUp.
“As a company providing technical solutions to financial institutions, it is important for us to engage with them and better understand the problems they are trying to solve,” said Arjun Sahgal, Co-founder and CEO of Ascent Platform. “The coursework and networking opportunities provided by the Conquer Accelerator have been valuable resources for us as we help our partners unlock our technology for their processes.”
“There’s no better way to learn about credit unions than from the leaders who are currently championing innovation in these institutions,” said Aleksandra Medina, Co-founder and CPO of Fritch. “The Conquer Accelerator is an excellent opportunity to get behind-the-scenes insights on how to build for this market.”
For more information about the Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator and details on how to apply, visit msufoundation.org/conquer-