3 initiatives, $3M for startups: MEDC seeks to boost access to early-stage capital
A trio of initiatives from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. aims to increase the flow of capital to startups and early-stage companies in the state. By the end of the year, two separate but similar funds of $1 million and $2 million each could begin offering grants to university researchers and entrepreneurs seeking to validate innovations […]
Silicon Valley, Michigan Tech MTRAC Help Fast-Track Commercialization of Tech Research
This is a key to early career success because graduate students help generate new knowledge, and new knowledge leads to research publications, the gold standard of professional recognition. But Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor in Michigan Tech’s Department of Chemistry, knew that he was not likely to do things in the normal fashion when he […]
Michigan Economic Development Corporation to provide more money for entrepreneurship, innovation
The Small Business Development Center, Invest Detroit, Automation Alley and TechTownare some of the beneficiaries of a budget increase for support of entrepreneurship and innovation by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. According to Emily Guerrant, MEDC vice president of marketing, the budget for entrepreneurship and innovation has […]
Proposed $100 million public-private partnership would seed new Michigan VC funds
The trade group for venture capitalists in Michigan wants to form a $100 million fund to match millions in private capital with public investment. Under the proposal that’s being pushed by the Michigan Venture Capital Association, private investors would put $75 million into a fund to seed new venture capital funds, an amount the state […]
University of Michigan’s Social Venture Fund Announces Investment in Querium
The Social Venture Fund, a student-led venture fund within theSamuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business, today announced that it has participated in the early-stage bridge round for Austin, Texas.-based Querium, an edtech company that uses artificial intelligence to provide students […]
Michigan Accelerator Fund seeks $5 million raise for tack-on fund
The managers of Michigan Accelerator Fund I are seeking to raise up to $5 million from investors to provide further financial backing to portfolio companies. Four of the Grand Rapids-based venture capital fund’s eight existing portfolio companies may need additional capital in the near future, said co-Managing Director Dale Grogan. Capital raised for the new […]
University of Michigan’s Social Venture Fund Invests in Conversa Health
The Social Venture Fund, in collaboration with the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business, today announced that it has participated in the Series Seed B convertible note round for Conversa Health, a rapidly growing San Rafael Calif.-based patient engagement company. […]
New $3M University of Michigan fund launched to accelerate engineering, medical translational research products
The University of Michigan has launched the Monroe-Brown Seed Fund, a new funding vehicle designed to advance the process of transitioning commercially viable engineering and medical research projects to market. The fund, approved today by the U-M Board of Regents, is a collaboration between the U-M College of Engineering’s Center for Entrepreneurship and the U-M […]
University of Michigan, Michigan State target funds for Venture Capital from endowments
The University of Michigan‘s endowment has bolstered its alternative assets with more than $100 million in commitments to venture capital and real estate funds. Separately, Michigan State University reported its latest endowment strategies. The school doubled its commitment to $60 million to an outperforming alternative investment fund run byDrake Capital Advisors. UM plans a new […]
From the Lab to the Marketplace: Michigan Tech Researchers Find Help at Home to Commercialize Their Discoveries
Startupcompanies involving two Michigan Technological University faculty members have recently signed commercial licensing agreements, which represent important commercialization milestones.Both companies worked extensively with services and programs provided by the Technology Commercialization Team in MichiganTech’sOffice of Innovation and Industry Engagement. The team helps researchers move from technical discovery to product launch.Those services and programs included the […]