Chris Holman welcomes back Ara Topouzian, Executive Director, MVCA, the Michigan Venture Capital Association, operating virtually, across all of Michigan.
Watch Ara and Chris discuss MVCA’s 2024 highlights, awards, venture capital trends, and what’s ahead for Michigan startups in 2025 in the YouTube video shared below:
There were several things Chris wanted to find out during their conversation:
Welcome back Ara, remind the Michigan business community about the MVCA?
What have the highlights been for 2024?
What are the current trends for venture capital in Michigan?
What are the goals and events MVCA is looking forward to in 2025?
For your convenience, Here are more details coming out of October’s awards event:
Michigan Venture Capital Association Celebrates 17th Entrepreneurial & Investment Successes at 2024 Annual Awards Event
Eight Organizations & Individuals Honored for Contributions to Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Community
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – October 2024 – The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) celebrated the state’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem at its 2024 Annual Awards Celebration, held at Elevate at One Campus Martius. The sold-out event welcomed 240+ attendees, recognizing achievements that fuel Michigan’s business growth, investment milestones, and community impact.
2024 MVCA Award Winners:
Entrepreneur of the Year: Mike Klein (Genomenon)
Up-and-Coming Company of the Year: Optilogic
Community Impact Award: Michigan Founders Fund
Capital Event of the Year – Venture Capital Fund: Grand Ventures
Capital Event of the Year – Portfolio Company: May Mobility
“Michigan’s investment and startup community continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation despite economic turbulence,” said MVCA Executive Director Ara Topouzian.
New MVCA Hall of Fame Inductees
MVCA introduced the Hall of Fame to honor individuals who have significantly shaped Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem:
Tim Petersen: Co-founder of Arboretum Ventures, instrumental in Michigan’s VC growth.
Chris Rizik: Managing Partner at Renaissance Venture Capital, driving investment in Detroit’s startup scene.
Past Lifetime Achievement winners were also inducted, including Skip Simms, Sam Valenti, Jody Vanderwel, Ian Bund, Tom Porter, Michael Finney, Tom Kinnear, Don Walker, David Brophy, and Dick Eidswick.
Tribute to Kevin McCurren
MVCA paid tribute to Kevin McCurren, whose dedication to Michigan’s investment and entrepreneurial landscape left a lasting impact. His family accepted the award on his behalf.
2024 MVCA Award Finalists
Entrepreneur of the Year: Brian Moore (Voxel51), Deepak Ravindra Menon (Micro-LAM), Edwin Olson (May Mobility), Mike Klein (Genomenon)
Up-and-Coming Company of the Year: Livegistics, Optilogic, Rivet Work, Zeck
Community Impact Award: Black Tech Saturdays, Michigan Founders Fund, Michigan Innovation Fund Coalition, Venture 313
Capital Event of the Year – Venture Capital Fund: Grand Ventures ($50M Second Fund), Mercury ($160M Fifth Fund)
Capital Event of the Year – Portfolio Company: CoverTree ($13M, Series A), May Mobility ($105M, Series D), Voxel 51 ($30M, Series B)
MVCA continues to be a driving force in Michigan’s investment, innovation, and startup growth.
About Michigan Venture Capital Association
The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) is a nonprofit trade organization founded in 2002 to increase the amount of capital and talent available to venture and angel investors for the funding of Michigan’s most innovative entrepreneurs. The organization works closely with entrepreneurs to transform breakthrough ideas into new companies and industries that drive Michigan job creation and economic growth. MVCA membership includes private and corporate venture capital funds, angel investors, universities and economic development organizations, and service providers. More than 400 individuals are members of MVCA, representing over 100 organizations across the nation. For more information, visit www.MichiganVCA.org.
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