Michigan Venture Capital Association Celebrates State’s Entrepreneurial and Investment Successes at 2021 Annual Awards Dinner
The Awardees of the 2021 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner are Orbion Space Technology, LLamasoft, Facility Health and The Renaissance UnDemo Day
September 30, 2021 – Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA), the trade association for the venture capital and angel community in Michigan, hosted its 2021 Annual Awards Dinner at Greenfield Village (Dearborn, MI) on September 30. At this event, MVCA announced awards recognizing the capital events that are fueling the growth of Michigan’s companies, the significant investment milestones enabling companies to grow and excel in Michigan, the companies that are producing groundbreaking solutions in their sectors, and the organizations working to engage with their communities and enrich their local economies. After a one-year postponement due to COVID-19, the MVCA Annual Awards Dinner returned and attracted 150 attendees from across the state to celebrate the successes of the entrepreneurial and investment community in the state.
Lt. Governor Garlin Gillchrist II was the keynote speaker at this year’s dinner and stressed the importance and resiliency of the entrepreneurial community in Michigan.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring back the awards dinner and safely gather after postponing our 2020 event. It is important for us to celebrate the accomplishments of the last year and a half as we know this builds a stronger future for the entrepreneurial and investment community in Michigan,” said Ara Topouzian, Executive Director of MVCA.
Awardees of the 2021 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner include:
• Orbion Space Technology for Financing of the Year Award (https://youtu.be/CLxQwizcvSc)
• LLamasoft for Exit of the Year Award (https://youtu.be/bUtYsfDQxaA)
• Facility Health for Up-and-Coming Company of the Year Award (https://youtu.be/-zuoAb279Vk)
• The Renaissance UnDemo Day for the Community Impact Award (https://youtu.be/PTys2FvPM94)
The evening also paid tribute to two of its dedicated members of the investment and entrepreneurial community who passed away this past year. Jonathan Murray (Venture Partner, Draper Triangle Ventures) and Mary Nickson (Associate Director, Zell-Lurie for Entrepreneurial Studies, University of Michigan Ross School of Business). Watch this short tribute video: https://youtu.be/SKi3LfmwJao
2021 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner Nominees:
Financing of the Year Award (https://youtu.be/Krn0bYARvBw)
The Financing of the Year Award recognizes the significant investment milestones enabling companies to
grow and excel in Michigan.
• Autobooks
• HistoSonics
• Orbion Space Technology
Exit of the Year Award (https://youtu.be/UbDkKOnZjbY)
The Exit of the Year Award recognizes companies that were funded by Michigan investors and achieved a
successful acquisition or exit. The following nominees are companies that are strengthening the
entrepreneurial and investment community by increasing capital available in the state
• LLamasoft
• NeuMoDx
• Tetra Therapeutics
Up & Coming Award (https://youtu.be/zthuUciVjGU)
The “Up and Coming” Company of the Year Award recognizes Michigan companies across all stages of growth that are producing groundbreaking solutions in their industry. The following nominees are making a national impact by transforming legacy.
• CertifID
• Facility Health
• MemryX
Community Impact Award (https://youtu.be/v-RGqS7Su8g)
The Community Impact Award recognizes organizations, events or individuals that create the
meaningful, effective connections necessary to build Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy.
• Start Garden 100 Ideas
• Tech Startup Stabilization Fund ID Ventures
• The Renaissance UnDemo Day