ANN ARBOR – The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, Michigan’s venture capital fund-of-funds, announced that CEO Chris Rizik has been named a finalist for its Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Award in the Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region.

The award, which honors leaders for their extraordinary success and commitment, will be announced at a special gala event on June 23 at the Detroit Institute of the Arts.

“While I am humbled by this honor, this is truly recognition of the unique model created by RVCF in Michigan,” Rizik said in the Michigan Venture Capital Association blog. “Our innovative structure and strategies are now receiving national attention and are being replicated elsewhere in the United States.”

As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

RVCF also celebrates another milestone as it grows to add two new staff members. Vince Nystrom now serves as the firm’s Vice President of Business Development, while Jessica Scott has joined the RVCF team as Chief Administrative Officer.

Nystrom will expand upon RVCF’s success in connecting innovative young companies with Michigan’s most important major businesses, providing benefit to both communities and increasing financial performance. He came to RVCF from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), where he led in-state business development initiatives, including the Pure Michigan Business Connect program. He also helped facilitate over $3 billion in contracts between major corporations and Michigan companies.

Scott will lead office operations, as well as support RVCF’s business development efforts. She previously served as an analyst for the IT Talent Systems Department of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), where she managed the Michigan Virtual Career Fair events and supported the social media, marketing and outreach for Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

This story was published in the Michigan Venture Capital Association blog. To read more, click on http://michiganvca.org/member-news/