TROY - The Troy Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a trade mission to China in October that costs as little $1,999 per person. An Orient-ation meeting is Feb. 9. "Whether you want to see China for business or personal reasons, this trip will offer something for you," said Troy Chamber President Michele Hodges. "It
ANN ARBOR - The former Pfizer pharmaceutical property purchased by the University of Michigan in 2009 reopened Tuesday as the Venture Accelerator at the North Campus Research Complex and officially welcomed its first tenant. The Venture Accelerator will provide laboratory and office space, as well as business services, to startup companies emerging from the pipeline
ANN ARBOR - Do you know what your customers really want? When was the last time you did any market research? Or sought out your customers' opinions on your product or service? The New Enterprise Forum January 20 panelists will share their tips on getting valuable information from present and prospective customers to help you
ANN ARBOR ? Technology and business-law attorney Claudia Rast - also a member of the New Enterprise Forum's board - has joined Butzel Long as a shareholder in the firm's Ann Arbor office. Rast, as part of her duties at NEF, coaches technology start-ups in their efforts to connect with management expertise, venture capital, and
LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan will try to reach out to small business on Jan. 8 when it launches its new Business Next weekly Internet-only radio program. The show will be hosted by radio veteran Michael Rogers, SBAM's vice president of communications. Rogers will talk with guest experts each week and provide
GRAND RAPIDS - West Michigan Startup Weekend 2011 is a 54-hour event ? Jan. 14-16 - focused on building communities, companies, networks and projects. It will be held at The Factory in downtown Grand Rapids. Last year, Startup Weekend helped launch two new West Michigan companies, JaiPlace and MichiganFi lmReel. Participate and pitch your idea
MIDLAND - Be one of the early-stage entrepreneurs selected to present to angel and venture capital investors this winter at a Boost Michigan. "Boosts" are informal Pitch Night opportunities to get in front of coaches and mentors that will help you prepare for investor presentations. You'll talk about your business for two minutes and have
ANN ARBOR - Plymouth Venture Partners I L.P. Tuesday announced the completion of three portfolio company exits. Two of the exits are to strategic buyers. The third, Toledo s regional telephone company, AmericanBroadband and Telecommunications, resulted from a company buyback from its strong cash flow. Terms of the transactions were not made public. Plymouth Management
BLOOMFIELD HILLS ? A survey of Michigan business leaders, academics and industry experts shows optimistic expectations for Michigan's economy in 2011. The 2010 Michigan Economic Outlook was sponsored by the Business Improvement Team and conducted by Business Research Group of Bloomfield Hills. This is the first in a series of semi-annual surveys that BIT will
DETROIT - Constance Logan, Michigan Assistant District Director for Minority Enterprise Development, has received the Society of American Military Engineers' 2010 Government Small Business Advocate Award. The award is given to a group of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support to the Department of Defense planning, design, construction and environmental programs and who effectively communicate