ANN ARBOR– A staple of private equity finance conferences, the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium goes virtual in April for the second time with partner InvestMidwest in what’s billed as the Midwest Venture Showcase – a two-day conference to match up agriculture, life sciences, medical device, and technology startups with heavy weight investors. Take note, if your company fits these categories your deadline to submit applications is Feb. 2.
Launched in 2020, as a response to the pandemic, the Midwest Venture Showcase introduces an expanded network of investors to Midwest growth companies in an online forum to continue facilitating much-needed investment during the country’s travel restrictions.
The initial event attracted more active attendees focused on meeting the Midwest companies seeking seed stage, Series A, and Series B funding. Entrepreneurial companies made dozens of connections with over 200 investors from across the country at the event.
Applications are now live on the InvestMidwest and MGCS websites, www.midwestgcs.com or www.investmidwestforum.com.
New ventures in the agriculture, life sciences, medical device, and technology industries that are seeking $500,000 or more in equity investments with a high growth projection over the next five years are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is Feb. 2.
The virtual event boasts more than 40 tech transfer spinouts from major research universities across the Midwest that are seeking pre-seed and seed funding. This year’s program will feature Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, and others to be announced.
Said Phyllis Ellison, executive director of InvestMidwest: “The 2020 event was very successful, even with the quick pivot that both InvestMidwest and MGCS made to move the event online. The 2020 companies represented 15 states, including Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.”
Added David Brophy, founder and director of the MGCS: “While we are beginning to see the true impact of COVID-19 on the startup investment arena, we know that it is vital for companies to continue to seek funding, and investors are still actively deploying capital in promising technologies. Investors are interested in building relationships with quality startups, whether they are investing immediately or later. Our investors love seeing the more advanced companies, as well as having access to the innovation coming out of Midwest-based tech transfer offices.”
Brophy will appear Monday at 2 pm live on MITech TV to talk about the Showcase and what the selection committee is looking for in startups.
The Midwest Venture Showcase will provide easy access to companies’ executive summaries and video pitches, and connect early-stage companies, angel investors, venture capitalists, technology transfer professionals and leading entrepreneurs. For more information on applying, attending, or sponsoring the showcase, visit www.midwestgcs.com or www.investmidwestforum.com.
First held in 1980, the MGCS is the largest Midwest venture fair of its kind that brings together venture capital investors, angel investors, high-growth companies, university tech transfer officers and research faculty. MGCS is presented by the Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance and the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, both part of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
The InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum brings together high growth companies from across the Midwest that are seeking $1 million or more in equity investments in life sciences, technology, and agriculture tracks. Celebrating 21 years, the annual spring forum attracts investors from across the country to meet with companies. InvestMidwest is managed by the Cortex Innovation Community, with strong support from the investment communities of St. Louis and Kansas City.
