GRAND RAPIDS - The next generation of entrepreneurs will put their ideas to the test at Grand Valley's fifth annual Business Plan Competition on March 29. The pitch day, which caps a four-month tournament between Grand Valley's most entrepreneurial minded students, provides an opportunity for startup businesses to develop a business plan around an innovative
ANN ARBOR - The Venture Michigan Fund II has made a $15 million investment in Venture Investors Early Stage Fund V, a venture capital fund that will invest in life science, cleantech and other high-tech companies in Michigan and the Midwest. Credit Suisse?s Customized Fund Investment Group manages VMF II, which plans to invest $120
ANN ARBOR - Michigan has seen several successful homegrown harvests in recent years, such as those of HealthMedia Solutions and HandyLab. Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Founder David J. Brophy, Director and Professor of Finance at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, said the state is increasingly seeing emerging growth companies enter the second
GRAND RAPIDS ? Craig Hall, principal at Lee Shore Equities, hopes the upgrades to his 38 West Fulton St. building ? home to San Chez Caf� on the first floor ? will make way for what he?s calling the Grand Rapids Tech Hub. So far, he?s moved The Factory, a co-working space with 1,700 square
BLOOMFIELD HILLS - Michigan Israel Business Bridge President Chuck Newman announced members of the newly formed MIBB Advisory Council, composed of leaders from Michigan and Israel who will serve as ambassadors and counselors for the organization. The group was chosen for their ability to assist the MIBB in its mission to promote business development between
DETROIT - A 10-week business development class featuring the nationally acclaimed FastTrac NewVenture curriculum will be presented by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center March 27 in Detroit. Program Highlights ? Ten weekly 3-hour sessions ? Small group activities and hands-on coaching during each session ? MI-SBTDC consultant assigned for individual assistance outside
FLINT - A three-team alliance from Grand Blanc, Auburn Hills and Lansing won the 2012 Kettering University FIRST Robotics District Competition Saturday in Flint. Grand Blanc?s Team 2337, the Enginerds, joined with Auburn Hill?s Team 33, the Killer Bees, and Lansing?s rookie team, Star Trec, Team 4294, to take top competition honors during the district
ANN ARBOR - The University of Michigan is launching the Mayleben Family Venture Shaping Program through the Zell-Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies to teach student teams from across U-M how to transform identified opportunities into business. The new program is being funded by a gift from Aastrom Biosciences president & CEO Tim Mayleben (a U-M
AUBURN HILLS - Reliance One plans on hiring more than 50 employees in the next five years at its new location in Auburn Hills where the staffing and business consulting company will move next week. Reliance One has purchased a 22,000 square-foot building at 1700 Harmon Road in Auburn Hills and will consolidate from its
GRAND RAPIDS - This year was a great one for the SBTDC Tech Team. The Tech Team had a significant impact with the many new companies it served, the existing growth companies it supported, and the companies it assisted in finding the financing and resources for them to grow and prosper. The Tech Team surveys