Author: Ara Topouzian

http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/$25-million-to-support-michigan-entrepreneurs LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced Wednesday that $25 million will be awarded to several organizations. The state will give the money to eight organizations that will support entrepreneurs. The money will not only help the launch of new businesses throughout the state, but it will also continue to […]

http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/$25-million-to-support-michigan-entrepreneurs LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced Wednesday that $25 million will be awarded to several organizations. The state will give the money to eight organizations that will support entrepreneurs. The money will not only help the launch of new businesses throughout the state, but it will also continue to […]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), State of Michigan Retirement Systems (“SMRS”), The Dow Chemical Company and InvestAmerica have partnered to provide Michigan businesses with debt and equity funding through the InvestMichigan! Mezzanine Fund. The fund will invest up to $130 million into lower-middle-market Michigan companies over the next five years and was formed in […]

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 25, 2011 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Augment Ventures, a new early-stage venture capital fund in Ann Arbor, Michigan recently closed its first round of funding and made its first investment in Aperia Technologies, a cleantech company. Augment, which has an overall fund goal of $20 million, will invest in […]

Thomas Lee 7/25/11 http://www.xconomy.com/detroit/2011/07/25/my-farewell-present-six-observations-about-michigans-innovation-economy/

Dow Chemical Co. Chief Executive Officer Andrew N. Liveris says Michigan is showing a new national model when it comes to government and private sector collaboration to help small businesses. On Tuesday, Liveris, joined by Gov. Rick Snyder, Administrator Karen Mills of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillon, announced $130 million investment […]

Thomas Lee 7/19/11 http://www.xconomy.com/detroit/2011/07/19/facing-an-early-death-michigans-angel-credit-program-finds-few-takers-so-far/

Turning the traditional drug discovery model on its head and challenging conventional wisdom has proven to be good medicine for Kalamazoo-based Metabolic Solutions Development Company, LLC (MSDC).  The five-year old company, founded by two former Upjohn Company scientists, Jerry Colca, PhD and Rolf Kletzien, PhD, is tackling the combination of metabolic disorders that, taken together, […]

Deal marks the first time two Michigan angel groups have co-invested Grand Rapids, Mich.– Two Michigan angel groups have co-invested in fixed WiMAX owner/operator AzulStar, which teams with leading companies, governmental agencies and private investors to offer very-high bandwidth wireless data, voice and video services.  West Michigan angel investing group Grand Angels and Midland-based Blue […]

Mark Horne, Managing Partner of Plymouth Venture Partners I, L.P. has announced that Plymouth’s Company of the Year is Accuri Cytometers. In making the announcement, Horne commented: “Accuri essentially created a new market in personal use flow cytometry, and then demonstrated outstanding execution in designing and building world class products to serve that market. The […]