ANN ARBOR – So it’s time for an equity investment ? congratulations. Just don’t start celebrating yet, because there are landmines and a whole world of scrutiny waiting for you on the due diligence trail. Join the New Enterprise Forum Sept. 16 to find out more.

Panelists:

Andrew McColm – Managing Director, Early Stage Partners. Andrew joined Early Stage Partners as Managing Director in October, 2009. Prior to joining ESP, Andrew was Associate Director – Business Formation, for the University of Michigan Office of Technology Transfer. Over the preceding twenty years, Andrew was a key manager in multiple international telecommunications startup companies in the United States, U.K, and Brazil. Andrew holds a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and Management from McMaster University and an MBA with High Distinction from the University of Michigan.

Mahendra Ramsinghani – Manager, First Step Fund. Mahendra manages the First Step Fund, Detroit, MI ? a fund focused on micro-investments in pre-seed and seed stage companies. Mahendra joined the Invest Detroit team with over a decade of experience in fostering the growth of early-stage technology businesses. Prior to First Step Fund, as Senior VP at Plymouth Venture Partners (PVP), Mahendra was involved in all aspects of early and growth stage investments. Prior to PVP, Mahendra was the Director of Venture Capital Initiatives for Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for seven years. Mahendra’s background includes a Bachelor?s in Electronics Engineering, an MBA with a major in Marketing & Finance.

David N. Parsigian – Managing Partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP. David is the Managing Partner of the Ann Arbor office of the law firm of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, where he specializes in venture capital finance and representation of technology-based companies. He has extensive experience in advising technology businesses with respect to locating sources of capital and structuring financings ranging from seed capital to initial public offerings. His legal expertise includes corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances and technology licensing. Parsigian is a lecturer on matters relating to private equity finance and venture capital at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University and Walsh College. He has also been a frequent presenter at meetings of the Association of University of Technology Managers.

Moderator:

Ted Dacko – Founder, Arbor Dakota. Ted has more than 36 years of experience in executive-level management and leadership, principally in the area of software applications and solutions. Most recently, Ted was CEO of HealthMedia Inc., which he took from a small, near-death company to a $30M annual SaaS business, at which point it was acquired by Johnson & Johnson.

Showcase Presentation:

This month’s NEF Showcase Presenter will be Erika Block of Local Orbit. The company makes it easy for restaurants, institutions, and consumers to buy food directly from farmers. They are a bridge between the deepening demand for locally produced food and limited distribution options that make it difficult for independent producers to get local product to market.

Event Information:

Special Location: SPARK Central, 330 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor

When: Registration & networking 5:00 p.m.; program begins at 5:45 p.m.

Cost: Free to NEF members, $20 for non-members, $5 for students

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