KALAMAZOO ? Cleveland Clinic Foundation?s technology commercialization arm, CCF Innovations, will be featured at the April 5 Southwest Michigan First Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday monthly investment forum.

The event, which is free and open to individuals interested in venture capital development, will be held at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center in Western Michigan University?s Business Technology and Research Park. The business plan portion of the program runs from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a panel discussion and a networking luncheon.

The panel will be moderated by Thomas P. Dickerson of Tullis Dickerson and Company Inc. Panelists include Mina Sooch of Apjohn Ventures, Phil Torrence and David Parsigian of Miller Canfield, and David Demirjian of ZuChem Inc. A networking luncheon will conclude the day?s events.

This year, Southwest Michigan First expanded its Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday (KVT) program to draw new venture capital interest into the state and the region. According to Lindsey, the new format is also intended to leverage relationships that will spur new business creation in technology-based arenas. She said she believes the high caliber of technology this forum is now bringing to the community will significantly increase both the quality and quantity of deal flow and serve to elevate the Midwest?s presence on the national venture capital scene.

Cleveland Clinic is one of the world?s first group practices. Founded in 1921, the clinic has become world renowned in each of its core mission areas of providing improved patient care, research and education to physicians. It is the second largest medical group practice in the world and since 1990 has been ranked among the top ten ?Best of the Best? hospitals in the United States, by US News and World Report. CCF Innovations is the Cleveland Clinic?s technology commercialization arm. It was formed in 2000 to promote innovation and to expand treatment of the sick through the broad and rapid deployment of Cleveland Clinic technology. In 2002, Cleveland Clinic staff disclosed 113 new inventions.

In February, the Clinic announced a strategic alliance with Stryker Corporation to develop orthopaedic operating rooms of the future. Under the terms of the 10-year alliance, Stryker will support the Cleveland Clinic in developing, testing and advancing image-guided surgery systems and other advanced orthopaedic surgical technologies to improve patient care. In addition, Stryker personnel will help educate and train Clinic physicians and other medical professionals in the use of these technologies.

At each Kalamazoo Venture Tuesday, an audience of about 75 experts in the fields of business development and venture fund investments as well as scientific and management talent, local business leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs provides the presenting the companies with the feedback necessary to improve their business model and presentation approach. Since its inception almost five years ago, the monthly event has featured close to 250 companies exposing them to business development experts, venture capitalists, angel investors and others interested in supporting entrepreneurial activities.

The Investing in Innovation programs are hosted by the Kalamazoo Bank Consortium, a formal association of eleven bank executives from Kalamazoo County who have come together to assist Southwest Michigan First in its economic development. The events are sponsored by Miller Canfield, Michigan Public Radio, The City of Kalamazoo, Arch Development Partners and the Small Business Technical Development Center.

Southwest Michigan First is an economic development organization providing business development, retention and attraction programs throughout Kalamazoo County. A privately funded, 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, the organization was formed by leaders in business and higher education to promote economic development. Southwest Michigan First provides entrepreneurs and established companies with a wide range of corporate business development services and support.

For more information, contact Gail Lindsey, Southwest Michigan First?s director of equity investments, at [email protected]