BIRMINGHAM ? The two most important things a company needs to grow are capital and talent. The Michigan Venture Capital Association works to provide both, primarily to established, technology-focused companies.
The MVCA represents 65 organizations and individuals actively involved in investing. Those include angel investors, venture capitalists and professional services firms, such as lawyers and CPAs.
?The MVCA is the central address for the venture capital community in the state of Michigan,?? said MVCA President Mitch Mondry, from the MGroup, a Birmingham venture capital company. ?We represent all the VC investors as well as many angel investors and other groups including economic development organizations. If an entrepreneur is looking to identify and meet potential investors and other firms that can provide them with services, the place to come is the MVCA.?
Mondry said entrepreneurs can take advantage of what the MVCA has to offer by attending the six networking events each year. At each event, experts discuss issues that face the industry and start-up businesses. The MVCA?s web site serves as a central repository of information for entrepreneurs, like what companies have received funding, and which investors have executed successful exit strategies.
?We try and work with as many groups in the state to help build the network and bring more services and power to the people who are interacting with us,?? Mondry said. ?Those include Great Lakes Entrepreneur?s Quest, Ann Arbor Angels, Great Lakes Angels and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The MVCA also works with investing organizations outside Michigan, like the Illinois Venture Capital Association, to spread the scope of contacts and to help identify greater deal flow.
?The most important things entrepreneurs are constantly looking for is capital and talent that can help them deal with the issues young companies deal with,? Mondry said. ?The MVCA membership offers both.?
For more information, click on MichiganVCA.Org
