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. The following blog marks the graduation of a Venture Fellows Program participant and shares insights from their fellowship.
Where are you now and what are you doing?
I am still part of the Grand Ventures team, leading sourcing and running after the best deals. I continue to search far and wide for the smartest, grittiest, and most exceptional founders out there (so if that’s you, please reach out !!). My role has evolved slightly to take on more responsibility throughout the diligence process, drafting cap tables and term sheets, and leading our reporting process, etc. I am entering my 7th year of living in Grand Rapids. My view of Michigan, especially Grand Rapids, has expanded as I’ve gotten more plugged in professionally into the ecosystem. No longer is it just my “college” town, but rather a place I choose to live and support, and truly want to see thrive.
During your time as a Venture Fellow, what was the best deal, favorite solution, or stand-out Michigan portfolio company you encountered and why?
During my fellowship, I had the opportunity to support and internally manage one of our portfolio companies, Payload, based in Grand Rapids, as it went through an acquisition. It was an exciting milestone for both the Grand Rapids ecosystem, celebrating a local exit, and for me personally, as I got to see firsthand what that process looks like from the inside. Payload was always such a fun company to track, given their momentum in the headless CMS space. For those unfamiliar (don’t worry, I barely get it too), Payload lets developers build and manage content-driven applications with a customizable, self-hosted backend… Hope that was helpful. Either way, Payload is just one great example of why being an investor in the Michigan startup ecosystem is so rewarding.
How did your fellowship help you contribute to the growth of Michigan’s entrepreneurial and investment community?
The fellowship opened so many doors for me to get plugged into Michigan’s startup community. From quarterly networking events where I met amazing investors and innovative founders, to academy days focused on learning new skills that helped me do my job better, every experience was meaningful. Without it, it would’ve taken years to build the relationships I now have with so many incredible people across the ecosystem. And those skills, Venture Deals couldn’t have taught me them!
The fellowship also pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best ways, from stretching my thinking as an investor to saying yes to things I never imagined doing, like speaking on a podcast (who would’ve thought?!). I’m genuinely excited to see what Michigan’s venture ecosystem looks like in 10+ years, especially with all the support and energy the MVCA is pouring into the next generation of investors.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career in venture capital?
I feel like I could answer this question in so many ways: whether it’s advice on landing a job in venture, what the day-to-day actually looks like, or what it takes to succeed once you’re in. So, I’ll touch on a bit of all of it. Venture capital is awesome, but it’s also hard. It’s tough to break into, and it’s challenging once you’re in.
If your goal is to get a job in venture, start building your network early. Talk to anyone and everyone. Sometimes getting that first opportunity really comes down to timing and being in the right conversation at the right moment.
Life inside venture is both exciting and tricky. You have to be comfortable living in the “gray”. As someone with a STEM background who’s used to exact answers and clean numbers, it can feel uncomfortable making early-stage investment decisions where there’s no clear “yes” or “no.” There’s no secret formula for what makes a fund thrive or a startup succeed. But doing market research, comparing data points, and talking to experts helps ease the decision. And when you finally come across a company and a founder that truly impresses you, that’s when the job becomes really fun.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
To wrap up this exit blog, I’ll end with my totally foolproof 10-year plan (because I’m sure it’ll happen exactly as I predict). I truly love venture capital, not just for the chance to learn from some of the brightest minds out there, but also for the relationships it encourages me to build, the way it challenges my thinking and perspective, and how it teaches me new skills like building a cap table. I’m a people person through and through, and this job is incredibly fulfilling in that way. I do hope to stay in venture for a while and continue to learn from those who know more. But maybe someday, if the right opportunity comes along, I’ll step into an operating role, perhaps in healthcare. Getting hands-on experience before returning to investing would only make me an even stronger investor. Or who knows… maybe I’ll be a founder myself one day!