Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) supports early‑stage startups and nonprofits with capital, resources, and a five‑month accelerator designed to help them scale impact. Since its inception, MSISV has distributed more than $38 million to over 140 organizations.
As applications open for the next cohort, two founders from the 2025 programme — Kate Cameron, CEO of Cytochroma, and Julia Bialetska, CEO of S.Lab — reflect on how MSISV helped refine their leadership, accelerate their companies, and expand their vision for what comes next.
Learn more and apply now through 31 of March 2026.
To begin, could you introduce your company and share the story behind how you first came across the Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures programme?
When Kate Cameron first encountered MSISV, Cytochroma was ready to think bigger. Her company optimises cell models from genetically diverse backgrounds to transform drug discovery, testing, and validation — cutting preclinical timelines, saving costs, and replacing animal testing. With a uniquely large and diverse stem cell library, Cytochroma is accelerating treatments for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. “The introduction came at a pivotal stage in our growth,” Kate explains. “We were ready to scale more strategically.”
For Julia Bialetska, founder of S.Lab, the timing felt just as right. As a sustainable packaging technology company, S.Lab produces biodegradable packaging from agricultural waste and mycelium using proprietary technology that performs like polystyrene but biodegrades in just 30 days. The rationale for applying was immediate. “Their clear focus on sustainability and inclusivity — both are core to how we build S.Lab… and the chance to work closely with such a major global financial player felt like the right step as we scale.”
For someone who hasn’t come across it before, what does the programme offer in practice, and what part was most valuable for you?
Reflecting on the structure of the programme, Kate says, “Over five months, MSISV delivers an intensive programme of business development, combining structured workshops with hands-on support, both in person and online.”
But for both founders, what truly set the programme apart was the depth of engagement.
“It feels less like a course and more like having a personal advisory board,” Kate says, pointing in particular to the role of the Entrepreneur in Residence and the MSISV team. “What makes it exceptional is the dedicated support they provide… they were deeply invested in helping us make the most of both the training and the network.”
Julia echoes that perspective, emphasising the practical nature of the support.
“The programme offers much more than funding. In practice, it gives founders access to mentorship from senior Morgan Stanley leaders, structured workshops on scaling and governance, investor readiness support, and direct exposure to corporate partners and decision-makers”.
Julia Bialetska, Co-founder and CEO of S.Lab
That hands-on approach often meant difficult but necessary conversations. “We had mentors who worked with us directly on our roadmap. They challenged our assumptions and forced us to confront real bottlenecks,” Julia explains. One moment in particular proved pivotal. “For example, at one point, mentors made me look at my calendar and realise that I simply could not continue operating the way I had before, and that we had to rebuild our team structure. That shift alone was incredibly valuable”.
Alongside this intensive work, there were also unexpected moments. For Kate, seeing Cytochroma featured in Times Square on the Nasdaq billboard was a highlight. “A priceless piece of advertising!” she exclaims.
Comparing before and after the programme, what would you say changed the most in the business, in your leadership, and in the opportunities you could access?
Looking back, each founder describes distinct before-and-after effects.
Julia saw clear shifts at S.Lab through the programme. “We refined our go-to-market strategy and became far more intentional about how we approach enterprise clients,” she says. “And when you say Morgan Stanley invested in you, more doors open.” Kate experienced similar changes at Cytochroma, where the programme helped to clarify the route to market and build confidence to pursue international partnerships. “The investment and network supported critical R&D and regulatory validation, to position us as a leader in our market,” she says.
“Before the programme, we were ambitious… after it, we were global and strategic.”
Kate Cameron, Co-founder & CEO of Cytochroma
The impact wasn’t just external. Both founders speak honestly about their personal growth. “I became a stronger leader,” Julia says. “My ability to prioritise and focus on what really matters has grown significantly… and we are already seeing the results.” For Kate, the programme brought confidence, clarity, and a “deeper belief in both myself and the impact of our technology”.
What are you most excited about as you look ahead to the future?
Today, both companies are entering their next phase of scale. Kate is focused on establishing Cytochroma as a global leader in human-relevant predictive preclinical testing, helping to transform how new medicines are developed worldwide.
Julia is preparing to deploy minifactories — compact, automated units capable of producing mycelium packaging locally anywhere in the world. “They’ll reduce logistics emissions, cut costs, and allow us to serve clients where they are,” she explains, alongside plans to run more pilots with large global brands.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d had before starting your company?
In their reflections, both founders are refreshingly honest about the realities of building a company. “The hours will be way too long and the pay nowhere near enough,” Kate says. “But it will be the most rewarding job you will ever have.”
Julia agrees. “Startups aren’t linear. There will be bad days, and then some days even worse. Innovation takes more time, resources, and funding than you can imagine. But the good days make it worth it.”
About Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures
Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures provides participating startups with an equity investment (or a grant for nonprofits), a five-month curated accelerator programme, mentorship, networking opportunities, dedicated office space, and access to a network of seasoned experts and industry leaders, month curated accelerator programme, mentorship, networking opportunities, dedicated office space, and access to a network of seasoned experts and industry leaders.
Applications for the next MSISV cohort of early-stage startups and nonprofits are now open, with a focus on accelerating solutions across four key impact categories: Environment, Health & Wellbeing, Economic Empowerment, and Education & Human Capital.
Apply now through 31 March 2026. To learn more about MSISV and apply, please visit: www.morganstanley.com/ventures.
