Beringea Debuts Michigan's First Venture Capital 'Office Hours'
Farmignton Hills-based Beringea, Michigan's largest venture capital firm, is introducing the popular open investor pitch forum known as "Office Hours" to the state in a months-long tour of Michigan's entrepreneurial hotspots.
Similar to the office hours format used by university professors, these sessions will provide the Michigan entrepreneurial community open access to Beringea venture capitalists for their perspective, feedback and advice on topics ranging from business ideas to fundraising to the market opportunity for technologies or services.
"Michigan is in the midst of an entrepreneurial boom -- the innovativeness of our citizens and their zest for risk-taking is exciting," said Beringea managing director Jeff Bocan. "We're honored to have the opportunity to help Michiganders with companies or ideas get some immediate investor feedback and help shape their concept toward market viability."
Entrepreneurs of any type, from students with innovative ideas to professionals with established businesses, are invited to meet with Beringea investment professionals in 15 minute time slots at any stop on the statewide Beringea Office Hours tour:
• Farmington Hills – Jan. 11, 2011
• Midland – Jan. 25, 2011
• Kalamazoo – Feb. 8, 2011
• Troy – Feb. 23, 2011
• Ann Arbor – March 8, 2011
• Grand Rapids – March 29, 2011
• Detroit – April 12, 2011
• Lansing – May 11, 2011
• Traverse City – July 8, 2011
• Marquette July 19, 2011
• Petoskey – August TBD, 2011
Preregistration at www.beringea.com/officehours.php is required.
Beringea is the largest venture capital firm in Michigan, with more than 70 portfolio companies in the United States and United Kingdom. The firm has additional offices in London and Shanghai and has more than 20 years of investing experience in a range of sectors, including health care and life sciences, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, media, Internet technologies and specialized consumer products. Among its many initiatives, Beringea is co-manager of the $185 million InvestMichigan Growth Capital Fund, which provides venture and expansion-stage capital to emerging businesses headquartered or with substantial operations in the state of Michigan.
More at www.beringea.com or www.investmichiganfund.com.
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