The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

September is right around the corner. We can't wait to see you there! 💚

Campus may have been quieter… but our Spartans definitely weren't. 🤭💚

No matter where the summer took them, one thing stayed the same: Spartans kept creating, building, and chasing big ideas.

Spartan summer, in a few photos. 📸💚

Sometimes the biggest opportunities start with simply saying yes. ✨

Katyra Waller’s entrepreneurial journey began before she was even an Michigan State University student, when a high school visit introduced her to a community she knew she wanted to be part of.

That curiosity eventually led her to MIA (Missing In Action), a startup founded by MSU alumna Jordan Polk, where she’s gaining hands-on experience in brand communications, marketing, and building a company from the ground up.

Read Katyra's story here: https://entrepreneurship.msu.edu/news/2026/08/03/studentview-learning-startup-life-from-the-inside

Burgess Built. Your next chapter starts now!

Congratulations, Grads! 💚

BioMex, founded by Michigan State University College of Engineering students Madhav Aggarwal and Tanvi Gadamsetti, was selected as one of the top 25 undergraduate ventures from across North America to compete at e-Fest, hosted by the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas.

Over three days of pitching and evaluation in front of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders, BioMex earned first place, taking home $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to further their material-tech healthcare company.

As their final pitch competition as students at Michigan State University, this win marks a defining moment as they transition to building their ventures, BioMex and BRCĒ, full-time.

Explore what’s next for Madhav & Tanvi ⬇️
https://entrepreneurship.msu.edu/news/2026/04/30/msu-startup-biomex-wins-e-fest-2026-championship

Spartans don’t just think big—they build big, system by system and MSU Broad College of Business MBA Nthanda Manduwi is doing exactly that.

Recently named a Big Bets Fellow by The Rockefeller Foundation, Nthanda joins a global cohort of leaders working on bold, long-term solutions to the world’s most complex challenges.

Her work spans from expanding opportunity for young people to building next-generation cyber-physical infrastructure through Q2 Systems, a company integrating real-world systems, digital twins, and simulation engines into a single adaptive ecosystem. It’s a reimagining of how physical and digital worlds connect, and how we design for scale, resilience, and access.

From Michigan State University to global impact, Nthanda represents what it means to turn ambition into systems that actually work. This is what it looks like to bet on ideas, and build them. 💚

Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/hmkyijawzt

As one of their final competitions before graduation, Michigan State University College of Engineering students Madhav Aggarwal and Tanvi Gadamsetti, founders of BRCĒ, took first place and the $10,000 grand prize at the UGA Next Top Entrepreneur Competition hosted by UGA Entrepreneurship Program.

BRCĒ was selected from 80 student-run businesses nationwide, advancing through multiple rounds of judging to become one of 11 finalist teams invited to pitch in the final round to a panel of experienced founders and investors.

Learn more about BRCE’s win ⬇️
https://f.mtr.cool/lxqekxjymt

James Madison College at Michigan State University alum Aaron Lezeiser and Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources alum Ryan Letzeiser were named EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 Midwest Award winners for their work across insurtech and real estate investing.

We’re proud to have Aaron and Ryan supporting the Burgess Institute and our students. Congratulations on a well-earned recognition!

Obie Founders Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists ‍EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business