Grand Angels Makes Second Investment

GRAND RAPIDS ? Grand Angels has made its second investment, an undisclosed sum in Salamander Technologies, a Traverse City start up that develops software to track personnel and resources for fire incident commanders and other first responders.

The money will be used to accelerate the growth at Salamader by funding product development and expanding the company?s sales and marketing efforts, said Mike Whalen, a principal at DaVinci Capital. DaVinci helped Salamander finalize its business plan, refine its management incentive plans, and build a relationship with investors, including the Grand Angels.

Whalen declined to say how much money Salamander received, other than to say that Grand Angels invests from $250,000 to $2.5 million per company.

Salamander was formed in early 2001 to concentrate on the personnel and resource tracking needs of fire departments. In response to the 9/11 attacks and the Homeland Security initiatives, Salamander broadened its software focus to include first responders of all types, including fire, police, public safety, public health, military and industrial. Customers include fifteen rapid response teams, the Michigan State Police (Hazmat Training) and the Michigan Technical Rescue Team.

One of Salamanders first steps to get outside capital was to contact the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center at Grand Valley State University. The SBTDC worked with Salamander on its business plan and introduced Salamander to DaVinci, which hooked Salamander up with the Grand Angels.

?We as Grand Angels are very happy to invest in this exciting company? said Mike Jandernoa, one of the founding members of the Grand Angels.

Edward Marsilje, another leading Grand Angel member, said the Salamander investment continues to demonstrate the commitment of more than a dozen individuals to help young West Michigan companies establish a stronger presence in the market place.

Grand Angel?s first investment was in SimpleDine, formed in 2003. SimpleDine launched its food ordering system in East Lansing earlier this year with menus from 16 Michigan State University-area restaurants. With financial backing from Grand Angels, SimpleDine plans to help pizza junkies living near Grand Valley State University and Calvin College. SimpleDine recently relocated from East Lansing to an office in the Brass Works Building in downtown Grand Rapids.