The Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator Opens for Application

The accelerator returns in September, opening applications to startups looking for mentorship and investment opportunities in finance, insurance, and risk management.

EAST LANSING, Mich. ― The Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator, a partnership between Michigan State University Research Foundation, MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), and the Eli Broad College of Business’s Insurance & Risk Management Program, announced that it is opening applications for its third cohort.

The Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator is a highly selective 10-week program that provides mentorship, education, and industry insights for startups looking to get to their next stage in development. Only five startups are chosen to participate in each cohort, with the opportunity to engage with other founders and to receive mentorship from experts from all three supporting institutions. Selected teams will also receive investment support from MSU Research Foundation’s venture investment subsidiary, Red Cedar Ventures upon successful program completion. Last year’s cohort includes Crux Analytics, Housetable, Ribbon Financial, Sawport, and Salus Financial.

“The Conquer accelerator came at a pivotal time for Crux and became a cornerstone of our growth over the past six months. The program’s greatest benefit was providing unfiltered access to stakeholders across the entire organization, including people we wouldn’t normally interact with. These conversations gave us a broader perspective on how our value proposition resonated across different business lines, which directly shaped our growth strategy,” said Jacob Crux, Co-founder and CEO at Crux Analytics. “Through the accelerator, we discovered and validated specific needs that continue to guide our product development. In just 10 weeks, the program delivered insights that might have taken us a year or more to uncover independently, setting us on a much stronger path toward our goals.”

“Conquer Accelerator was a game-changer for our startup — connecting us with Credit Union leaders both at MSUFCU and throughout Michigan, expert mentors, and a supportive community that pushed us to reach new heights,” said Saeid Kain, co-founder and CEO at Ribbon Financial. “I highly recommend it to any founder ready to take their business to the next level.”

“As we launch the third cohort of the Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator, we’re proud to continue building on the strong foundation of innovation and collaboration between MSU, MSUFCU, and Spartan Innovations,” said Ben Maxim, Chief Technology Officer at MSUFCU. “This program reflects our deep commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and advancing the future of finance and insurance through the strength of Michigan’s thriving startup ecosystem.”

The Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator begins in January 2026 for its third cohort and is accepting applications starting in September. The program will follow a hybrid format, with its initial week held in East Lansing, Michigan, providing participants with access to the rich resources and networks of the region.

For more information about the Conquer Finance and Insurance Accelerator and details on how to apply, visit msufoundation.org/conquer-accelerator.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 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 $15 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 Desk Drawer Fund. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 34 branches; over 365,000 members; $8.24 billion in assets; and more than 1,200 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.

ABOUT THE 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.