Finance, insurance startups sought for Conquer Accelerator cohort
Applications open for 10-week program of education, insight, investment in 2025
EAST LANSING, MI (October 29, 2024) — 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-accelerator.
About MSU Research Foundation
The MSU Research Foundation supports the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. The Foundation achieves its mission through grant programs that contribute over $10 million annually to the University, entrepreneurial programming and early-stage investments that accelerate technology transfer and startup growth throughout Michigan, and environments where startup businesses and collaborators can thrive. The Foundation's work is made possible through its stewardship of a flexible and sustainable endowment, nourished by over 50 years of licensing revenues and investment returns. Learn more about the MSU Research Foundation and its impact at msufoundation.org.
About MSUFCU
Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 31 branches; over 360,000 members; more than $8 billion in assets; and 1,200-plus employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.
About Broad College of Business Insurance and Risk Management Program
The Insurance and Risk Management Program at the Broad College of Business at MSU provides students with a thorough understanding of risk management, both from a personal finance perspective as well as from a business perspective — Enterprise Risk Management. Risk management and knowledge of insurance are critical skills essential to all business executives. The minor in Insurance and Risk Management, administered by the Department of Finance, provides the student with fundamental knowledge of risk management skills and the application of insurance to effectively manage risks. This minor also provides an effective introduction to the insurance industry, teaching the fundamental concepts, coverages, operations, and financial aspects of the industry. The minor is a valuable addition to any business degree/career allowing the student to better identify and manage risk in any industry or at a personal level, and to understand key insurance concepts.
