TRAVERSE CITY – In an evening full of firsts, TCNewTech puts five Michigan investors in the hot seat to pitch their firms to the entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses in the area. The unique format was intended to educate local entrepreneurs and startups, about who the players are and what they are looking for when investing in young companies.

The investors competed to win $500 for their chosen non-profit. Jody Trietch, from Northern Michigan Angels, won the audience vote by a resounding margin. Jody graciously donated the check directly back to TCNewTech, as the non-profit of choice, after pitching about angel investment.  Jody provided excellent insights into NMA’s funds and the types of companies that angels are looking to invest in, and left the audience with several questions to ask themselves as they prepare for their angel pitches.

Other investor pitches that were shared:

Josh Hart presented on Venture Capital and discussed how to maximize your chances of getting picked. Josh was representing Sweater Investment. He drew attention to the number of applications that the firms receive and the common denominator which typically differentiated an applicant. This ultimately boiled down to relationships and name recognition.

Thomas Coke discussed Incubators and Crowdfunding. Thomas is the Entrepreneur-In-Residence at GSVU and CEO of VarsityGems. Thomas provided fantastically honest insight into the statistics and options available to companies around these two concepts.

Broc W. Edwards pitched Seed and Pre-Seed Funding and represented his venture firm Pronoia. Broc brought an impressive amount of Wall Street experience to the stage. Broc advocated advancing Michigan investors, working with Michigan companies, rather than out-of-state funding flowing into Michigan.

Lowell Gruman took the stage in stride, representing a local favorite, Boomerang Catapult LLC. Lowell, a local powerhouse VC was pitching Series Round Funding A-C. He broke down what each stage’s goals and outcomes were and provided valuable insight and advice.

Additional Event Highlights:

Bill Palladino shared a new tool that TCNT is working on to make it easier to pitch at TCNT, while also showcasing the app VouchFor. The segment was sponsored by local company RJG, INC.

20 Fathoms debuted their Rural Edge video, a collaboration with the Center Of Rural Innovation (CORI). The video highlights the thriving startup ecosystem in Traverse City, and how it is quickly becoming a gold standard for rural innovation.

Michigan’s Creative Coast shared a video on the positive experience that is moving to Traverse City and starting to develop roots in the area.

TCNT rolled out its new app for registration, voting, check-in, and membership application. The app is the brainchild of, Dan Mastromonaco, who is currently serving as BOD Treasurer. The app was a fantastic success and is intended to enhance the TCNT experience.

The evening was closed out with a panel, moderated by Corey Hart, A regional director of the famous Startup Grind. Startup Grind is the largest global startup community. The panel dug deep into pressing current issues and dispelled several myths about investor/investee relationships.

TCNewTech extends its thanks to all of our generous sponsors, who keep our events free to attend and to present! Show them some love: Main Sponsor 20Fathoms and Supporting Sponsors like  Susan Soffredine Rauser with State Farm Insurance, Michigan’s Creative Coast, AccessPoint, and Profit Clean. The Meg Zammit Group for sponsoring our time on WTCM Talk 580 and Cambium Analytica for this month’s pitch prize and our Quick Tip Educational Sponsor RJG an injection molding company.