BLOOMFIELD HILLS – Michigan Venture Capital Association announced awards recognizing the capital events that are fueling the growth of Michigan’s companies, the significant investment milestones enabling companies to grow and excel in Michigan, the companies that are producing groundbreaking solutions in their sectors, and the organizations working to engage with their communities and enrich their local economies.
The MVCA Annual Awards Dinner attracted 150 attendees on Sept. 29 from across the state to celebrate the successes of the entrepreneurial and investment community in the state.
Awardees of the 2022 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner were voted by MVCA members in each category. They include:
- Workit Health, Financing of the Year Award
- Benzinga, Exit of the Year Award
- Airspace Link, Up-and-Coming Company of the Year Award
- Invest Detroit, Community Impact Award
- Robin McIntosh & Lisa McLaughlin, Entrepreneur of the Year Award
“This was an extra special year for our annual award dinner as we celebrated MVCA’s 20th anniversary” said Ara Topouzian, Executive Director of MVCA. “We expanded the number of awards we presented this year and look forward to a bright future for both the investment and entrepreneurial community in Michigan.”
The evening featured a tribute to Michael A. Finney former CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Ann Arbor SPARK and most recently, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council who passed away this past year. His wife, Gina, accepted the award on his behalf.
This year, MVCA presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Sam Valenti III. This award recognizes the achievements of individuals who formed the foundation of Michigan’s entrepreneurial and investment community. Mr. Valenti has paved the way for the next generation of investors in the community with his leadership and expertise. “Sam believed so much in the need for this organization – at a time when there was question about where both Michigan and venture capital were headed – that he paid for the first group meeting of MVCA,” said Chris Rizik, CEO & Managing Partner, Renaissance Venture Capital.
2022 MVCA Annual Awards Dinner Awardees
Financing of the Year Award
The Financing of the Year Award recognizes the significant investment milestones enabling companies to grow and excel in Michigan.
- Autobooks
- Genomenon
- SkySpecs
- Workit Health
Exit of the Year Award
The Exit of the Year Award recognizes companies that were funded by Michigan investors and achieved a successful acquisition or exit. The following nominees are companies that are strengthening the entrepreneurial and investment community by increasing capital available in the state
- Benzinga
- Facility Health
- Sportsman Tracker
Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award recognizes organizations, events or individuals that create the meaningful, effective connections necessary to build Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy.
- ID Ventures
- Michigan Founders Fund
- Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund
- New Community Transformation Fund
“Up and Coming” Company of the Year Award
The “Up and Coming” Company of the Year Award recognizes Michigan companies across all stages of growth that are producing groundbreaking solutions in their industry.
- Airspace Link
- MemryX
- Navv Systems
- Signal Advisors
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes organizations and individuals that have fostered a vibrant entrepreneurial community in Michigan.
- Danny Ellis, Co-founder & CEO, SkySpecs
- Robin McIntosh & Lisa McLaughlin (Co-Founders & Co-CEOs WorkIt Health)
- Justin Turk (Founder & CEO, Livegistics)
- Dan Rhodes (Co-founder & CEO, Strata Oncology
Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) is a non-profit trade organization designed to increase the amount of capital and talent available to venture and angel investors for the funding of Michigan’s most innovative entrepreneurs, as well as to work closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into new companies and industries that drive Michigan job creation and economic growth. More than 400 individuals are members of MVCA, representing over 100 organizations across the nation.
For more information, visit www.MichiganVCA.org.
