Michigan VCtalk

Chris Rizik is the founder, managing partner, and Chief Executive Officer of the Renaissance Venture Capital, a first-of-its-kind network fund formed by a consortium of Fortune 1000 and major private corporations. Renaissance works to invest in and strategically connect venture capital funds and start-up companies with major corporations. Chris is also the founder and publisher of SoulTracks.com,...

Ara talks with Adrian Fortino, an experienced founder, operator, engineer and investor in the industrial technology sector. He is a Managing Director and leads the Intelligent Manufacturing practice at Mercury Fund (Houston, TX). Mercury Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm. With over $300 million under management, Mercury focuses on entrepreneurs and technology innovation originating in th...

MVCA hosted a recent virtual webinar with Jeff Farrah and Justin Field from the National Venture Capital Association to discuss venture investing in the year ahead, including the impacts related to the Biden-Harris administration policy items, tax and carried interest, research and tech transfer, and capital markets. 

Ara talks with Razat Gaurav, CEO of LLamasoft, an artificial intelligence supply chain management company. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, LLamasoft was acquired by Coupa for $1.5B, marking a significant exit for their venture capital investors. Learn more about Razat's background and philosphies of being a founder. 

Ara talks with David Ollila, whose pivotal work for improving and growing local economies has captured the attention of leaders at all levels and earned him multiple invites to the White House. David had his first idea for a product as a seven-year-old worried about his mother cutting fruit. Though the idea never quite stuck, David hasn’t stopped tinkering to find solutions to problems he encounte...

This episode features Jennifer Baird, Founder & CEO of Fifth Eye. She is a serial entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience founding and leading high potential startups as CEO. Her vast experience includes raising angel capital, grant funding for early-stage tech companies and raising venture capital funding as companies grow. She currently leads Fifth Eye, an Ann Arbor, MI based medi...

Have you ever been interested to listen from individuals that make up the great strength of Michigan’s investment and innovation community? Their strategies, insights, philosophies have had a major impact affecting the overall economic growth and drive job creation in our great state. Welcome to Michigan VCtalks!   Our podcast series will spotlight a variety of these guests. We will talk to i...