Angels in the open
Business Week just published a list of the most active and successful angels in the country. Check out this article http://bwnt.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/future_of_tech_2010/ The disappointing part of the list is that all investors, except #25, invest in IT companies only. IT of course covers a lot of industry subsectors like software, mobile apps, gaming, computing, internet, etc. But I didn’t see alternative energy, materials,... [Read More...]
Angel investors needed in Michigan
Check out this article in Metromode. http://www.metromodemedia.com/features/detroitangelinvestors0150.aspx It talks about angel investing and the need for more angels in Michigan. They highlight two important people in this space, Rick Galdi and Terry Cross. Great testimonials from these guys. The reporter did a good job contacting several people involved with the angel community who know the importance of developing a strong angel base... [Read More...]
Michigan Municipal League article about SPARK
In the current issue of the Michigan Municipal League magazine and e-newsletter there is an article about SPARK and our ‘open source economic development’ model. Check it out here. This issue is mostly about entrepreneurism in the state. It’s very encouraging. We’re in good company with communities all around the state. Included in the publication are articles about the new incubator in East Lansing and a new initiative... [Read More...]
Michigan – A great place to live
Anne and I have lived in many states. We are not native to Michigan but spent five years up north in the 80’s. We were awed by the clear fresh water and the variety of trees and wildlife. We agreed we wanted to come back, which we did. One of the other things that impressed us was the diversity of entertainment options, lifestyles, industry and people. Although we had the opportunity to move to silicon valley we opted to stay in the... [Read More...]
Micro loans becoming very popular
Six months ago there was no such thing as a loan for a pre-revenue, innovative start-up company. Today, if you are in Washtenaw county there are three sources for loans. There has been a lot of press about these micro loans the past few weeks. Expect a lot more. We have made four loans to companies around the state through the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund program totalling $137,500 in just three months. Applicants for the Ann Arbor and... [Read More...]
What’s in a Term Sheet?
Not often discussed in presentations about starting a company, particularly an innovative high growth company raising private equity from angels and VCs, is the term sheet. The New Enterprise Forum and Ann Arbor SPARK are presenting a two part program about the various aspects of a term sheet. An attorney, investor and CEO will discuss the many elements of a term sheet and the ramifications of each. The first program is in two weeks, Thursday... [Read More...]
Micro loans in Washtenaw County
I’m on You Tube. Nathan Bomey with Ann Arbor.com interviewed me last week regarding the new micro loans available to local start-up entrepreneurs. A new aspect of reporting the news at the new annarbor.com is recording interviews with a mini camera and posting them as part of the story. Here’s the link to that interview. Read More →
NEF meeting on Term Sheets
Term Sheets is a subject rarely discussed in any detail in a public forum, even though they are referred to often. Do you know what is in a Term Sheet? We’re going to tackle the subject in a rare series of programs at the New Enterprise Forum meetings in September and October. Even two sessions won’t be enough to give you much detail, but you will probably walk out of each meeting knowing a lot more about them than you do today. The... [Read More...]
Boot Camp ROI
The SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp is really something special. We read often about ‘Boot Camps’ around the country that help entrepreneurs start their new companies. But when we drill down to see what is offered, their format, the content, etc. we come back to the same conclusion; the SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp is unique. We have been providing this Boot Camp twice a year since 2002. 181 companies have gone through the two day... [Read More...]
Michigan Capital Available
Next Tuesday we are updating everyone on all the state funded programs that can put cash in the bank account of start-ups and early stage companies. Andy McColm at U of M Office of Tech Transfer, Ned Staebler from the MEDC and Iwill explain the ins and outs of the many programs available. We will explain the qualifications for eligibility and processes to apply. The program will be streamed on the web live for those who cannot attend. Go to http://www.annarborusa.org/start-ups/pre-seed-fund/live/... [Read More...]
