Displaying items tagged: Grand Angels LLC

Successful exits from West Michigan-based craft breweries are allowing company founders and investors to put their proceeds to work in new ways that reinforce the region’s entrepreneurial culture. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Capital Network has further expanded its angel investment network across the state with the addition of Saginaw-based BlueWater Angels.

GRAND RAPIDS — Michigan Capital Network plans to form a fourth venture capital fund.

A restructuring for Grand Angels in 2021 aims to create understanding about angel investing and greater diversity among investors and their deals.

Raising capital for a startup company is never easy, though there are steps entrepreneurs with a dream and a vision can take to help their cause.

GRAND RAPIDS — Angel investor group Grand Angels has named Dale Grogan as its new managing partner.

Here is the MiBiz Growth Report for October 11, 2020.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Angels President Tim Parker has stepped down to run a community foundation in Wisconsin.

After taking a step back in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, angel investors say they are actively seeking deals, particularly in startups that are able to take advantage of the resulting economic disruptions.

Securities regulators hope a change in the federal definition of accredited investors brings more people into the investor pool for startups and other companies seeking private capital, although it remains unclear whether it will significantly affect the flow of capital.

GRAND RAPIDS — The $160 million federal contract to produce a COVID-19 vaccine when it’s ready elevates Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing Inc. into what Tom Ross calls the “big leagues.”

Ryan Vaughn can count many accomplishments over the last decade after co-founding and scaling VNN Inc., originally known as Varsity News Network. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Tetra Therapeutics Inc.’s sale to a Japanese pharmaceutical company provides a final pathway toward bringing to market potential new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease and a form of autism, as well as generates a handsome return for financial backers.

The COVID-19 pandemic that dismantled daily routines and hammered the economy has forced investors to pivot along with the companies they back financially.

GRAND RAPIDS — After completing fundraising at the end of 2019, Grand Angels has a couple of new deals in the works for its latest venture capital fund.

If federal regulators want to increase the flow of capital to startups across the U.S., Tim Parker suggests they consider creating a new class of investor.

GRAND RAPIDS — The $1.4 million investment in Portage-based Micro Laser Assisted Machining Technologies LLC represents the largest single investment ever for Grand Angels and its affiliated angel groups and venture capital fund.

GRAND RAPIDS — Grand Angels launched a new affiliate in Flint, further expanding its presence across Michigan.

Since securing a $40 million capital investment last spring, Vestaron Corp. has been assembling commercial and operating teams as it prepares for the broad launch of a brand of eco-friendly pesticides in 2020.

As Michigan’s venture capital industry made further gains in 2018, it made some progress on one front that’s been the focus of attention the last few years: Diversity. Statistics tucked into the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s 2019 research report show an uptick over five years in investments into startups companies led by women and minorities.

Venture capital funds based in Michigan more than doubled the amount they invested in startups in 2018, although the money went to fewer companies.

Grand Angels’ formation of an affiliate investment group in Detroit brings more capital and investors into the field to support startup companies in Michigan. 

KALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo affiliate of Grand Angels easily exceeded expectations after launching more than a year ago.

The Michigan Venture Capital Association presented Jody Vanderwel, the former president of Grand Angels, with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

GRAND RAPIDS — Investment firm Grand Angels plans to launch its third venture capital fund, MiBiz has learned.

Michigan has more angel investors than ever who invest in startup companies, but Skip Simms believes that’s still not nearly enough.

GRAND RAPIDS — Drug developer Tetra Discovery Partners Inc. plans to launch a clinical trial later this spring on a potential treatment for an autism spectrum disorder.

KALAMAZOO — Armune BioScience Inc.’s sale to a Wisconsin company provides another exit for investors that generates returns they can use in future deals for life sciences startups in Michigan.

Angel investors offer a potential option for an entrepreneur behind an innovation or startup business who needs capital to take off. Michigan now has 10 angel investment groups, including Muskegon Angels and Holland-based Grand Angels, which this summer formed an affiliate in Kalamazoo, Ka-Zoo Angels, and looks to add others around the state. The 10 groups combined had more than 340 members at the end of 2016. MiBiz spoke with Grand Angels President Tim Parker about what angel investors seek in an investment prospect and the advice for startup companies that may be considering an angel investment.

In April, Native Traits LLC was gearing up for a $1.5 million Series B raise from venture capital investors.