• What is BioCollaborate?
• BioCollaborate resources
• BioCollaborate partner benefits
• For more information
• View the BioCollaborate brochure (1 MB pdf)

What is BioCollaborate?

BioCollaborate is an innovative collaboration between Michigan State University and partner organizations focused on discovering, derisking and moving biobased technologies to market.

For more than 150 years, MSU's land-grant -- and now world-grant -- mission has been to provide practical, science-based solutions to issues faced by society. BioCollaborate builds on this history by combining expertise from across MSU and its business subsidiaries, such as MBI, to create custom solutions for the commercial challenges of its partners. This entrepreneurial approach to solving biobased industry challenges sets BioCollaborate apart from initiatives at other universities.

BioCollaborate resources

In addition to faculty members at MSU, BioCollaborate offers partners access to MBI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the MSU Foundation that is designed to bring new discoveries closer to market. For 25 years, MBI has focused on derisking new science and technologies for commercial introduction. MBI's solid reputation is based on successful partnerships with Fortune 500 firms, other universities and government agencies.

BioCollaborate offers partners a single access point to the exceptional depth and breadth of Michigan State University's biobased technology expertise and resources.

• Areas of expertise include: chemical engineering, plant sciences, agronomy, sustainability, microbiology, public policy, and supply chains and logistics.
• Resources include: state-of-the-art laboratories, customizable pilot plant facilities, field trial capabilities, business development assistance, streamlined technology transfer processes, and research laboratory and office space.

BioCollaborate identifies and engages scientists and configures research facilities to meet the unique and specific needs of each partner.

BioCollaborate facilitates collaboration at all stages of the research and commercialization process, from research to derisking to market transition processes. Partners can:

• Select any or all of MSU's resources to create a completely customized partnership.
• Collaborate on research to brainstorm, develop and refine ideas that solve real-world problems.
• Collaborate to derisk and scale-up biobased technologies to demonstrate their commercial viability.
• Obtain help with market analyses and identification, business development, and technology transfer support to bring viable products and services to market.

BioCollaborate allows partners to create, strengthen and leverage productive relationships wherever they may be.

BioCollaborate partner benefits

BioCollaborate Partner Benefits

• The ability to work side by side with internationally renowned MSU and MBI scientists on projects focused specifically on the partner company's needs.
• Access to MSU researchers from all disciplines whose insights and expertise may benefit the research, including scientists who have gone through the bioeconomy start-up and commercialization process.
• Collaboration and networking opportunities with other BioCollaborate partner companies.
• Access to validated bioeconomy leadership. In 2007, MSU and the University of Wisconsin-Madison teamed up to establish the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, one of three U.S. Department of Energy bioenergy research centers in the country.
• Enhanced ability to recruit top-level graduate and undergraduate students.
• Visibility in BioCollaborate marketing materials.

For more information:

Bryan Ritchie
Associate Director of External Strategy
Office of Biobased Technologies
ritchieb@msu.edu
517-974-1353