Programs & Events

MEDC: MGCS a Valuable Link in Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

SouthIn the past decade alone, more than 300 companies have presented at the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS). About 70% of these have raised capital totaling more than $1.7 billion in investments, and nearly 20% have realized successful exits. "The results...

Young Basile: Michigan Startups Improving

According  to intellectual property law firm Young  Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane P.C., the  number and quality of startups in Michigan  is improving. The firm founded a not-for-profit incubator five years ago, and  at the time quality tenants were scarce....

Michigan Seeing More Home-Grown Second-Stage Companies

Michigan has seen several successful homegrown harvests in recent years, such as those of HealthMedia Solutions and HandyLab, Inc. Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) Founder David J. Brophy, Director and Professor of Finance at the University of Michigan Ross...

OPS Solutions Lands Multi-National Customers from Southeast Michigan

Last year was a good year for Northville, Michigan-based OPS Solutions. The company, which offers a patented light-based system to improve quality control, error proofing, training, productivity, and product variation expansion, added major customers such as General...

BioStar Ventures Matches Investment to Scientific, Clinical Needs

Petoskey, Michigan-based BioStar Ventures stands unique in the medical devices space, placing prime emphasis on science. “We focus on what we know best,” said Managing Director Dr. Steven Almany. “We have assembled a world-class scientific advisory board with emphasis...

Xconomy Confident in Michigan Comeback

“The way I would sum it up as an outsider, the big feeling is that Detroit is back!” So says Boston-based Bob Buderi, founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of Xconomy, a news and event network covering business technology and innovation. With offices in Boston, San...

3D Biomatrix CEO Offers Fundraising Tips

Ann Arbor-based 3D Biomatrix was launched to fill a niche in the drug discovery and bio-testing market. Its offerings include three-dimensional cell culture products that provide better, more biologically relevant results than standard two-dimensional systems. The...

Hard Times Have Sharpened Entrepreneurial Landscape

The fundraising environment is challenging these days – for entrepreneurs and venture funds alike – but Peter Shagory, partner of Chicago-based Baird Venture Partners (BVP), doesn’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. “This lean environment is giving rise to new...