Venture Capital

Michael Godwin and Jason Townshend of Resonant Ventrue Partners

If innovation is the engine, investment is the fuel. For Michigan to transform its economy and nurture homegrown high-tech companies, it must develop a robust venture capital community. Ann Arbor understands this better than most.

In conjunction with the University Of Michigan, SPARK, the MEDC and the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (held in Ypsilanti every year), entrepreneurs are starting to see a change in attitude about local investment. Ardesta, EDF, Arboretum Ventures, Plymouth Venture Partners and the University's Wolverine Fund are just some of the firms trying to change Michigan's economic landscape.

Venture Capital Features

The Re-Investors

Constance Crump Tuesday, April 19, 2011

With the successful exits of Esperion and Accuri, CEO's Roger Newton and Jen Baird could have taken the money and run. Instead, they're establishing new local ventures, reinvesting in Michigan's future, and helping to grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Venture Partners: A Q&A with Michael Godwin and Jason Townsend

Jon Zemke Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The small scale of Michigan's venture capital community means many ground-floor opportunities for investment. Bay Area �migr�s Michael Godwin and Jason Townsend of Resonant Venture Partners wax on the need for a new generation of VC investors and peek into the realm of "dirty tech".

Here, There, Then Back Again

Leia Menlove Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Born and schooled in Michigan, Greg Schwartz did what most ambitious U-M graduates do: He moved to New York City to find success. But then the digital biz director for Warner Music Group did something few Big Apple bigwigs would ever consider: He moved back to Michigan to run a start-up.

Tech Transfer: Reinventing Ann Arbor's Economy

Jon Zemke Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tech Transfer is the university buzzword these days. Concentrate sits down with Stephen Forrest, Vice President for Research at U-M, to candidly discuss how the commercial exploitation of academic discoveries can transform Michigan's economy and create an environment for innovation and investment.

Entrepreneur's Boot Camp

Jon Zemke Wednesday, December 03, 2008

You've got a world-changing idea. And gobs of passion. Great! So, how do you attract investment? From concept to company Ann Arbor SPARK's boot camp is school for start-ups. Concentrate's Jon Zemke follows a pair of entrepreneurs as they learn to hone their pitch, strategize their growth and listen to those who have been there and done that.

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Venture Capital Blogs

Larry Eiler

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Back in 2001 Larry Eiler, CEO of Eiler Communications and director of the Small Business Association of Michigan, wrote an essay comparing our entrepreneurial landscape with Silicon Valley. Needless to say Michigan came up lacking. Boy, what a difference 10 years makes. In this week's guest blog Larry updates his assessment and finds more than a few encouraging trends.

Thomas Meloche

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Thomas Meloche has been an entrepreneur for as long as he can remember. A native Detroiter and U-M grad, he co-founded, managed, and sold nine different start-ups in Michigan over 20 years, including the professional service firm, Menlo Innovations LLC. He is currently President of Procuit (pronounced Pro-Q-It) Inc. Thomas will be writing about untapped Michigan potential, and more importantly, how to tap it!

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From laboratory to marketplace, U-M's Tech Transfer Office plays matchmaker, introducing local venture capitalists to promising new technologies. And with $850 million in research and over 300 discoveries each year at the university the potential for crossover is tremendous.