Ara talks with Jeff Ponders II who joined the ID Ventures team in April 2021 as Principal, Portfolio Success. In this role Jeff works closely with portfolio company founders as they scale toward major growth milestones and reach material valuation inflection points. Jeff is a passionate leader for the entrepreneur ecosystem and it shows in this podcast. Michigan VCtalk is proudly sponsored by Michigan Rise and Invest Detroit.

Ara had a chance to talk to Vince Nystrom, Partner at Renaissance Venture Capital. Renaissance Venture Capital is organizing the April, 2022 DEI UnDemo Day® which will bring together some of the region’s top early-stage companies and technologies for a virtual event with venture capital investors from around the country. This is the first UnDemo Day® designed exclusively to attract national venture capital to diverse founders. The virtual event will highlight companies from the Midwest and Central U.S. led by women, people of color, and other diverse communities.

Ara had the opportunity to talk to both Matt Bower and Zach Meyer, attorneys for Varnum LLP. The discussion centered on their program MiSpringboard, a statewide initiative designed to remove some of the barriers associated with starting a business by providing free legal services to Michigan startups.

Varnum launched the MiSpringboard program in 2011 as a way of helping Michigan’s then-struggling economy with a commitment of $1 million in free legal services. MiSpringboard was our way of helping the economy by doing what we do best – providing high-quality legal counsel to qualified businesses and individuals.

Due to the overwhelming success of this program, in 2016 Varnum renewed its commitment to Michigan startups by dedicating a second $1 million in free legal services through the MiSpringboard program.

MVCA Executive Director, Ara Topouzian is joined by former MVCA Chair, Michael Gross (Beringea) for a recap on activities that transpired in Michigan during 2021. They discussed talent, deal flow, exits and funding rounds which were notable as well as under the radar.  

Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) Executive Director spoke with Jeff Farrah, General Counsel of National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). Jeff discusses NVCA's policy priorities for 2022 as well as provide additional legislative updates. More information on MVCA can be found at michiganvca.org

This podcast is sponsored by Michigan Rise. 

Brad’s two decades in the space field and many professional awards recognize his research contributions in propulsion. He holds a Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, has served on numerous NASA, Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community advisory panels, and has published more than 100 papers on space propulsion systems. Brad is a past recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award from President George W. Bush “for innovative research at the frontiers of science and technology, and for the exceptional potential to shape the future.” In 2002, Brad founded Aerophysics Inc. This closely held company has delivered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions to government customers from multiple agencies. He is currently principal investigator on three satellite missions. Orbion Space Technology has been a two time winner at the Michigan Venture Capital Awards recognizing their achievements. 

Steve Robert is the co-founder and CEO of Autobooks, the first fully integrated payments and accounting platform for Small Business - delivered through financial institutions. Autobooks provides an embedded receivables solution (invoicing & payments) bundled into a checking account via internet banking which helps banks and credit unions provide “back-office” services that help small businesses get paid faster and automate accounting.

Jan Garfinkle founded Arboretum Ventures on the premise that innovation is key to delivering value in healthcare, a principle she developed working in the medical device industry for over two decades. Her investments focus on promising medical technologies that enable meaningful healthcare system savings while maintain great clinical outcomes. Jan has led and held board seats in more than a dozen investments across five funds. Ara and Jan touch on a variety of topics including her background, the work she has accomplishment working with the National Venture Capital Association and how she started Arboretum Ventures.

Skot Welch is the Founder/President of Global Bridgebuilders (GBB). The firm is a results-focused organization with extensive experience in the development and implementation of sustainable, process-focused cultural competency, inclusion initiatives accomplished through comprehensive assessment and measurement systems development.

Ara and Skot talk about this new fund as well as other issues surrounding diversity, equity & inclusion. 

As associate vice president for research – technology transfer and innovation partnerships, Kelly works closely with the vice president for research as well as other leaders across the university to provide visionary and strategic leadership of UM’s innovation, business engagement and technology transfer activities, including the Office of Technology Transfer and the Business Engagement Center. In this role, she supports and encourages university-wide programs for intellectual property development, innovation, and engagement with business and venture communities in the region, across the nation, and around the globe. Ara and Kelly talk about the work happening at the Tech Transfer office and their impact in Michigan as well as a new fund they created.