Today, organizers of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) announced the 32 companies that will be presenting at the 34th annual Symposium. Representatives from each of this year’s tracks, including medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, healthcare IT, business IT and technology, will represent the “Best of the Midwest’s” early stage and growth companies seeking funding. Additionally, in its second year, the University Research “Pitch” Track session will feature five Technology Transfer units of Midwest research universities, which will profile several of their emerging companies.
Hosted by the Ross School of Business’ Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance and the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, this year’s Symposium will be held May 19-20, 2015 at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich.
The Symposium is known for attracting high-quality investors from around the country. Since its inception in 1980, the event has helped more than 800 companies secure funding totaling more than $1 billion in capital and has forged countless valuable relationships that continue to foster growth in the region’s startup community. More than 400 entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and business executives are expected to attend, and nearly 100 regional and top national venture capital firms will be represented.
The two-day event will host dozens of industry speakers, including keynote addresses from Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies, and Brad Keywell, CEO and co-founder of Uptake and co-founder of Groupon.
The 32 companies selected to present represent a broad range of industries. Following is a partial list of companies. The full list of presenting companies is on the agenda at www.MichiganGCS.com.
- ONL Therapeutics – a biopharmaceutical company pioneering research with the intent of treating retinal diseases and other eye conditions that may lead to vision impairment.
- Venture Med Group – develops and markets catheters that allow interventionalists to treat peripheral artery disease with a single device and without having to resort to more traditional methods, such as balloon inflation.
- Epsilon Imaging – EchoInsight, the software suite from Epsilon Imaging, provides cardiologists with enhanced visualization through strain imaging to assist in interpreting and analyzing their images.
- Stratos – consolidates credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, gift cards and membership cards into one physical card, and their Dual Stripe technology works wherever a traditional card would. Stratos uses bank-level encryption and can be locked down if the card is lost or stolen.
- Neuvokas – manufactures GatorBar, a construction material that is three times stronger than steel, lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
- PiSquared Therapeutics – performs research into different methods of disruptive therapeutics to treat cancer.
- Socrates – stores hospital data in the cloud in a highly organized and visible manner so that providers can manage financial risk and see achievable clinical process improvements.
- Seat Side Service – a cloud-based mobile app that allows users to purchase concessions directly from their phone.
- Varsity News Network – offers a suite of products – Sportshub, Pressbox and VNN Alerts – for scholastic athletic teams.
“The sense of enthusiasm and devotion coming out of this year’s presenting companies is palpable, and serves as a true testament to the talent and increased entreprenuerial spirit continuing to heat up throughout the Midwest,” said David Brophy, founder of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium and professor of finance at the Ross School of Business. “This type of synergy and collaboration is what the region needs to keep the wheels of the entrepreneurial economy turning.”
To register to attend MGCS 2015, and to see the full list of presenting companies, visit www.MichiganGCS.com. Follow conversations about the symposium by tracking #MGCS2015 on Twitter.