GRAND RAPIDS ? The 2013 Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy will be giving away $1000 in cash prizes on June 21 to some of the 39 high school students who spend a week developing a new business concept addressing problems that face downtown Grand Rapids. Ten student teams will pitch their solution in front of community
ANN ARBOR - Augment Ventures announced Monday it was part of a recent $2 million Series A investment in Santa Clara, Calif-based Mercatus, which develops origination and syndication management technology for the energy project finance industry. The round was led by Vision Ridge Partners and also included Shah Capital. Of the investment, Augment Ventures founder
TROY - MCWT is sponsoring an informal social networking event at Bahama Breeze in Troy on June 19 just days before the Summer Solstice. It?s March Connect Net Social Mixer was so successful the group scheduled this one to usher in summer. MCWT is providing this event free to members, including complementary light appetizers. Non-members
TROY - Automation Alley will sponsor the Advanced Manufacturing Award at this year's Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest Entrepreneur Connect event June 18 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. This GLEQ event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, educators, mentors and support professionals to celebrate the growth and success of Michigan?s entrepreneur ecosystem.
LANSING - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Friday announced two Requests for Proposals aimed at boosting food entrepreneurship in Michigan and fostering a sense of place in Michigan communities. ?Farmers markets and food trucks improve our downtowns and bring vitality and economic growth to our communities,? said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. ?These
FREELAND - The BlueWater Angels are hosting a Pitch Night on June 12 at Apple Mountain in Freeland to showcase two Michigan early-stage companies. Pitch Night consists of 15-minute pitches by Michigan entrepreneurs / early stage companies (2-4) who are interested in getting in front of private investors to secure their next step to growth
GRAND RAPIDS ? On June 19, aimWest will offer a new event format called New Tech Meetup that will give five local companies and individuals the opportunity to talk about their cool new technologies. Each presenter will have five minutes followed by five minutes of questions and answers. Panelists Joe Johnston ? Universal Mind Hot
TROY - Billhighway has appointed Doug Gregory as Chief Executive Officer succeeding Vince Thomas, who is transitioning to the role of Chairman since founding the company in 1999. As Chairman, Thomas will continue to be involved with business development. Billhighway provides cloud-based financial technology solutions for nonprofits, dedicated to improving client?s bottom lines through integrated
ANN ARBOR ? Arboretum has added Mike Bunker to the investment team as a venture partner in Ohio. Bunker has a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry, both as an investor and in operating roles. Previously, he led healthcare venture investments for Early Stage Partners, one of Ohio?s leading venture capital firms. Bunker continues
LIVONIA - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is hosting a panel discussion on June 12 to look at how to evolve efforts to attract and grow businesses in the state. The evening?s program will focus on MEDC's business assistance services and capital programs for business attraction and acceleration as well as its efforts to enhance