Credit Suisse Williams To Keynote Michigan Growth Capital Symposium

ANN ARBOR ? Kelly Williams of Credit Suisse will keynote the 32nd Michigan Growth Capital Symposium in May. MGCS also will feature five panel discussions, as well as a showcase of 36 of the most promising early to later stage Midwest, high-growth companies seeking institutional investment within the next 12 months.

Presented by the University of Michigan Zell Lurie Institute’s Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance at the Ross School of Business, this year’s Symposium will be held May 21-22 at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti. More than 400 entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and business executives are expected to attend. Key panel topics covered at this year’s event include:

Venture Capital Fund Investment Strategies

Investing in Healthcare IT

The Impact of The Affordable Care Act

Financing Emerging Growth Opportunities in Education

Transforming Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Landscape

The program will kick off with a keynote address from Williams, managing director and head of the Customized Fund Investment Group at leading international financial services group Credit Suisse. Under Williams’ oversight, CFIG manages or co-manages more than $625 million of capital dedicated to investing in Michigan, including the Invest Michigan Growth Capital Fund, Invest Michigan Mezzanine Fund, Venture Michigan Fund and Michigan 21st Century Investment Fund. Most recently, CFIG joined global private equity firm and Invest Michigan co-manager Beringea to launch Michigan Growth Capital Partners II, L.P., a $180 million fund dedicated to providing growth equity to Michigan companies, in February 2013.

At the Symposium Williams will address how Michigan compares against a national backdrop for venture capital, what some other venture hotspots are doing and some of the trending themes she is seeing in the private equity and venture capital industry.

In addition to Williams, the program will feature high-caliber speakers representing entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and business executives who will lead informative discussions on pivotal industry issues. Confirmed speakers include:

Jim Adox, Managing Director, Venture Investors

Thomas Bremner, Principal, Adams Street Partners, LLC

Bob Buderi, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Editor in Chief, Xconomy

Mark Carroll, Managing Partner, Superior Capital Partners

Alar Elken, Chief Executive Officer, XanEdu Publishing

Jan Garfinkle, Founder & Managing Director, Arboretum Ventures

Mark Horne, Managing Partner, Plymouth Venture Partners

David Jones, Jr., Chairman, Chrysalis Ventures

Jim Pavlik, Partner, Baird Capital

John Popovich, Jr. M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Henry Ford Health System

Peter Roth, Partner, Varnum LLP

Charles Rothstein, Senior Managing Director; Co-Founder, Beringea LLC