UM Growth Capital Symposium Sets Program, Calls For Companies
The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Wednesday unveiled details on the topics and experts that will be part of this year's program.
The symposium, hosted by the Ross School of Business' Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, will feature five panel discussions, two days of continuous networking opportunities and presentations from 44 of the region's most promising companies seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding.
Over the past 10 years, more than 300 companies have presented at the Symposium and 71 percent of them have raised capital -- totaling more than $1.7 billion in investments. Further, nearly 20 percent of the companies funded have realized successful exits. This not only points to the promise of the companies presenting at the event, but also to its critical contributions to the region's economic development.
The symposium, which will be held at the Marriott Eagle Crest Resort in Ypsilanti on May 10-11, will host over 400 attendees and 65 investment firms.
The final deadline for interested companies to submit proposals has been extended to Thursday, March 10; presenting companies will be revealed to the public on May 3.
Panel discussions at the event will tackle the following topics:
* Early Stage Investing: Anatomy of a Successful Deal – moderated by Andrew McColm, of Early Stage Partners
* Investment Trends in the Life Sciences – moderated by Paul McCreadie of Arboretum Ventures, with panelists from Simpirica Spine, Versant Ventures, and BioVentures
* Navigating Regulatory Policies in Venture Capital – moderated by Michael Staebler, of Pepper Hamilton LLP
* Best Practices in Venture Capital: Leveraging the CFO – moderated by Michael Schiavo of Venture Investors LLC
* Access to Capital: The Midwest Landscape – moderated by Richard Walawender of Miller Canfield
"We have reached a critical inflection point in Michigan," said David J. Brophy, UM professor and founder of the symposium. "After three decades of building the start-up and investment communities here, we are seeing deals come to fruition and national attention being paid to them. Whether an investor, sponsor or presenting company, attendees of this year's event are sure to be a part of a historical shift in the Midwest investment landscape."
Further symposium details will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.michigangcs.com for updates to the program or to register to attend.
For information or questions regarding presenting company details, please contact Mary Nickson, symposium manager, at (734) 615-4424 or mnickson@umich.edu.
MGCS is the original university-based venture fair, which was first held in 1979. This nationally attended two-day event provides an opportunity for financiers to connect with up-and-coming Midwest businesses and learn about emerging technologies. The symposium offers the opportunity to build relationships with an unparalleled business network of distinguished private equity industry leaders and entrepreneurial business professionals.
