Author: Ara Topouzian

The momentum in our entrepreneurial and investment community has been building for several years now, and in 2016 we made significant strides to keep Michigan moving in the right direction–forward. The number of venture capital firms headquartered in Michigan, their total capital under management, and number of venture capital investments made in Michigan has doubled […]

The Michigan entrepreneurial and investment community lost a friend and colleague last week as Bob Clone, the former head of private equity for Indiana and a long-time private markets investor with the State of Michigan Retirement System, passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. A long-time Mid-Michigan resident, Bob is survived by his wife, […]

 East Lansing, MICH — The Conquer Accelerator program at Michigan State University is accepting applications for its Season Two Cohort, launching in summer 2017, now through February 3. Designed to help both startups and established companies overcome business hurdles, Conquer emphasizes smart planning and growth, extensive mentorship from an experienced bench of professionals, and structured educational components. […]

Tim Parker to Lead Michigan’s Leading Angel Network, Organization Deploys $3.5 Million during 2016 HOLLAND, Mich., November 16, 2016,— MVCA member Grand Angels, Michigan’s leading angel investment network today announced Timothy Parker has become the organization’s second president in the 13-year history of the organization. Parker officially succeeded Jody Vanderwel, following a unanimous vote of the […]

Newest subsidiary dedicates pre-seed and follow-on funding to MSU-based startups, technology commercialization Lansing, MI — The Michigan State University Foundation (MSUF) announced today the formation of its new, $5M venture investing subsidiary, Red Cedar Ventures. Its newest program features both a pre-seed fund and an opportunity fund focused on helping Michigan State University-based startups and […]

MVCA closed its year with their signature event, the 2016 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner, celebrating the successes of the entrepreneurial and investment community in Michigan.  Chief amongst those successes: more Michigan startups have received more venture backing than ever before.  In 2015, there were 74 companies that received $282 million from Michigan venture capital firms, […]

Indianapolis, IN (November 9, 2016) – Plymouth Ventures announced today that it has made a growth round investment in Kinney Group, Inc. (KGI), a cloud solutions integrator serving the Global 2000, IT-centric mid-market companies, and US Public Sector organizations. The participation from Plymouth is a strategic part of KGI’s overall fundraising objective for helping accelerate […]

Dear MVCA Members, It’s MVCA Events & Program Manager, Molly Theis, here to encourage you to stay involved in the community in 2016!  MVCA would like to keep you “in the know” regarding the various events going on in the Entrepreneurial & Investment Community.  We not only want you to attend our MVCA Events, but also events […]

Evan Ufer began his career as an architect, at one of the nation’s largest architecture firms.  Although Ufer no longer helps to build companies in their physical form, he now assists in the development of companies as a partner at Plymouth Ventures.  His ability to identify strong, Michigan-based investment opportunities; provide deal leadership and connections […]

Intel’s strategic investment and M&A group Intel Capital is new investor in company FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. (October 26, 2016)— Beringea, Michigan VC firm and MVCA member, and Intel Capital co-led a $15.2 million funding round for portfolio company InContext Solutions, a global leader in virtual reality (VR) solutions for retailers and manufacturers.  The capital will help […]