Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences has announced the first investments from the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund, which provides funding and strategic support to LightHearted AI and M3D, two early-stage companies developing technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Launched in 2025, the health care-focused venture fund was established through an initial $10 million commitment from its founding members —Henry Ford Health in Detroit, and Michigan State University and the MSU Research Foundation, both located in East Lansing.
The fund supports early-stage companies developing technologies that improve patient care, accelerate access to innovation, and deliver measurable impact. The investments will further complement the clinical expertise, research environments, and commercialization resources available through the Henry Ford + MSU partnership, according to officials.
“These first investments reflect exactly why the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund was created,” says Jeff Wesley, executive director of ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, where he manages the Innovation Fund. “Our goal is to help founders move promising health care technologies farther and faster by giving them the investment and support they need at each stage of company growth.”
London-based LightHearted AI is developing LightScope, a non-invasive technology that uses visible light to capture high-quality heart sound data and detect heart valve disease in less than 10 seconds, according to officials.
Co-founded by Lucrezia Cester and Dilip Rajeswari, the company’s technology has demonstrated promise for improving early diagnosis, addressing an important gap in current screening methods. The investment will support the company’s continued clinical validation and commercialization efforts as it prepares for regulatory approvals.
“Working with Henry Ford Health helps us validate how LightScope can be deployed across multiple care settings through a single health-system partnership,” says Cester. “The Innovation Fund’s investment is an important milestone as we prepare for broader deployment across U.S. health systems.”
M3D Inc. in Ann Arbor is developing advanced radiation imaging technologies that enable clinicians to identify, localize, and visualize sources of radiation in real time. The company’s platform is designed to improve radiation safety, treatment accuracy, and workflow across a range of health care applications. The investment will support continued product development, clinical validation, and commercialization.
“Henry Ford Health brings the clinical perspective that’s essential for translating innovative technologies into everyday practice,” says Mike Hopkins, co-founder and CEO of M3D. “Together with the Innovation Fund, the partnership provides more than capital by connecting us with the expertise needed to accelerate commercialization.”
The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund focuses on early-stage companies working in areas such as precision medicine, digital health, artificial intelligence, medical devices, and remote monitoring. Initial investments typically support companies from the pre-seed through Series A stages.
“When we evaluate opportunities for the fund, we’re looking for technologies that have the potential to solve meaningful clinical problems,” says Lisa Prasad, vice president and chief innovation officer for Henry Ford Health, who also serves on the Innovation Fund board.
“LightHearted AI and M3D are strong examples of companies developing practical solutions that could improve how care is delivered, and we’re excited to work alongside their teams as they continue validating and advancing these technologies.”
Early-stage companies interested in advancing health care innovation can learn more about funding opportunities, focus areas, and how to connect with the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Fund at henryfordmsu.org.
