The Michigan Venture Capital Association is proud to offer the Venture Fellows Program to Michigan’s venture capital community. The program, launched in 2023, is designed to increase the number of venture professionals in Michigan in order to accelerate the fundraising and deployment of capital into early-stage companies.
We check in with Caroline as she completes her MVCA Venture Fellow program.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
I recently completed my second year at Plymouth Growth and was promoted from Analyst to Associate. Today, I spend the majority of my time focused on deal execution — everything from sourcing new investment opportunities, conducting pre- and post-term sheet diligence, supporting our portfolio companies, and building relationships across the industry. Outside of deal work, I lead our summer internship program and assist in firm operations.
During your time as a Venture Fellow, what was the best deal, favorite solution, or stand-out Michigan portfolio company you encountered and why?
My favorite deal — and the first I worked on as both an Analyst and an MVCA Fellow — was Plymouth’s investment in Medtelligent, a Midwest-based software platform supporting assisted living operations. I loved this deal for several reasons: it was a perfect introduction to Plymouth’s investment strategy and our niche in the market, and it gave me the opportunity to work closely with a remarkable management team. Their deep industry knowledge and strategic vision has positioned the company to capitalize on important macro-economic trends in assisted living. Overall, it was an incredible learning experience that shaped the way I approach sourcing and due diligence of new investments today.
How did your fellowship help you contribute to the growth of Michigan’s entrepreneurial and investment community?
The MVCA Fellowship gave me the platform to actively participate in Michigan’s venture ecosystem in a full-time capacity. It also allowed me to be a bridge for students interested in venture capital — connecting them to internship opportunities, offering mentorship, and sharing guidance on breaking into the industry. In fact, the fellowship even created opportunities for the next generation, like our newest Analyst, Claire, who joined Plymouth through that pipeline. Ultimately, I think my time as a fellow helped lay a strong foundation for growing talent starting at the most junior level.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in venture capital?
The relationships you build — and the network you cultivate — are critical. Venture is fundamentally a people-driven business, and the connections you make early on will shape the opportunities you see and the impact you can have. On the technical side, I urge folks interested in venture to try in any way they can to understand the fundamentals of how businesses are built and the different ways to finance those businesses even outside of venture. Investing in what is cool, new, and trendy will always be fun but to be a valuable investor to your portfolio, you really have to understand and be willing to participate in the trenches of building a business.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
Truthfully and unapologetically, I don’t know — and I’m okay with that. There’s still so much to learn, particularly around fund construction and fundraising, that I’m eager to better understand. I could also see myself stepping into an operating role at some point to gain firsthand experience on the other side of the table. In some capacity, I hope to always be investing — whether through personal endeavors or within a venture capital framework. Regardless of the exact path, I’m excited for what the future holds and incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to start my career at Plymouth.