July 2024 – June 2025 Impact Report
Driving technological advancement, innovation, and inclusive growth
Our Impact
This year, the Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) advanced with purpose, transforming bold ideas into measurable outcomes. With every new partnership formed, program launched, and founder supported, we strengthened the foundation of a more connected, inclusive, and future-ready economy.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Local Development Finance Authority, Michigan State University Research Foundation, the City of East Lansing, and a wide array of dedicated community partners, LRSZ made remarkable strides this past year, and continues to cultivate an environment where early-stage businesses can thrive. Together, we are building an inclusive, forward-looking ecosystem that champions the innovators and technologies shaping the economy of the future. East Lansing is increasingly recognized as a hub for high-tech innovation, and the SmartZone plays a vital role in shaping that identity with purpose and pride.
With Appreciation,
Angel Miller, Former Director and Abbie Tykocki, Board Chair
Key Stats
deployed through programs & services
client touchpoints
private & public raised by client companies
businesses supported through LRSZ services
occupancy in the Technology Innovation Center
(the highest since COVID-19)
Entrepreneur Spotlight
BRCĒ
BRCĒ makes the world’s first and only shoelaces that never come untied. Launched in 2024 by Michigan State University students Madhav Aggarwal and Tanvi Gadamsetti, the material-tech company changing the future of sports performance has been featured at SXSW 2025 (where they won the Midwest Madness Pitch Competition), CES 2025, Techstars Founder Catalyst 2024, and Sneaker Con Detroit 2024.
The NBA, NFL, NCAA, and PGA now use BRCĒ as their new lace standard.
CreatorPulse
Dr. Kristen Wager developed CreatorPulse to empower social media content creators with actionable audience insights that fuel authentic engagement and lasting growth. The Creator Impact Score™ is the first
real-time metric built to show a creator’s true effect on audience behavior.
VERN AI
VERN AI, the Virtual Emotion Resource Network, is powering emotionally intelligent AI products—including AI companions, voice assistants, custom chatbots, and more—across healthcare, customer experience, education, and other sectors. The tech company is innovating the emotional capacity of AI to help businesses provide a more emotionally intelligent, human-like experience where interactions feel more empathetic, responsive, and trusted.
Read more in the full report.
Key Programs
$18 million was invested and 52 jobs were created through Lansing Regional SmartZone programs and services.
Download the full report to learn more about our key programs and impact.
- $1,409,051 in total funding (public and private)
- 40 clients served (76% underserved)
- 14 jobs created
- 17 new client companies created
- 17 community partners engaged
- 75 referrals
- 7 clients attracted from outside the region
- 2 clients retained in region
- $54,767 local accelerator grants funded
- 301 companies served
- 16 company formations
- $1,514,000 in total funding (public and private)
- 6 clients served (83% underserved)
- 5 interns (all from MSU)
- 2 client companies retained in the region
- $4,455 in private funding
- 58 participants (77% underserved)
- 3 new clients created
- 43 partner referrals
- 15 K-12 students served
- 17 client companies served (67% underserved)
- Partners engaged: LEAP, Lansing School District, Eaton Rapids School District, Dewitt School District, Grand Ledge School District, East Lansing Public Schools, Okemos School District
- $17,000 public funding
- 5 clients served (100% underserved)
- 5 jobs created
- 52 partner referrals
- 25 contracts secured by clients
- 12 client companies served (75% underserved)
- Workshops included:
– AI for business functions
– Design made simple: Canva basics
– Calendar management
- 2 clients served (50% underserved)
- 46,340 views
- 59% YouTube channel growth
- 161 clients served (54% underserved)
- 19 events
- Partners engaged: LEAP, LRSZ, Lansing Codes, CATECH, MISEC, Coldfusion, SQL Server, GLUGNET, Tech Inclusive, MSU Research Foundation, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, Flying with Founders, Expert Connexions, mConnexions, Washington Avenue Advisors
- 200 K-12 students served
- Partners engaged: East Lansing Public Schools, East Lansing Public Library, Lansing School District, Ingham County Parks (Foster Community Center and Letts Community Center), Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, Delta Township Community Library
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Key Partners
LDFA Board Members
Abigail Tykocki
Chair
City of East Lansing
Traci Riehl
Vice Chair
City of Lansing
Kris Klein
Treasurer
City of Lansing
Jill Rhode
City of East Lansing
Mark Meadows
City of East Lansing
Charles Hasemann
City of East Lansing
Michigan State University
David Washburn
City of Lansing
Michigan State University Research Foundation
Glenn Mitcham
East Lansing Public Schools
Christian Palasty
East Lansing Public Schools
Irene Cahill
Ingham County
Ben Bakken
Lansing Community College
Nicole Millsap
Lansing School District
Jon Laing
Lansing School District
Program Committee
Charles Hasemann
Chair
City of East Lansing
Michigan State University
Kris Klein
City of Lansing
Lansing Economic Development Corporation
David Washburn
City of Lansing
Michigan State University Research Foundation
