Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Opens Application Process for High-Growth Early and Later Stage Midwest Companies

High Growth Ventures Seeking Seed, Series A and B Round of Funding Have Opportunity to Pitch to Hundreds of Leading Investors of Regional and Top-Tier National VC Funds

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium today announced the call for presenting companies for the 32^nd annual Midwest equity event. Being held May 21-22, 2013, at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich., the Symposium is the premier Midwest networking event for leaders in venture capital investment to connect with emerging growth companies actively searching for partners and funding.  Early applications are due Tuesday, Feb. 26 and the final deadline is Thursday, March 7.

More than 400 entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and business executives are expected to attend and nearly 100 regional and top national venture capital firms will be represented. The two day event will host dozens of luminary speakers as well as showcase the most promising of early to later stage Midwest, high growth companies seeking institutional investment within the next 12 months of $500,000 to tens of millions in funding. Since the Growth Capital Symposium's inception in 1980, the event has helped more than 800 companies raise funding and has forged countless valuable relationships that continue to foster growth in the region's startup community.

Dayton, Ohio-based Commuter Advertising presented at the 2012 Symposium, and Founder Katie Hill found the Symposium to be especially impactful for companies based in the Midwest. "We don't have quite as large of a venture community as other areas across the United States," she said. "It's a great way to let the investors in the marketplace know what kind of opportunities are here in our region. If we want to keep innovation growing in the Midwest, these kinds of formats and opportunities are critical in keeping us competitive with other parts of the country."

Selected companies will be invited to deliver a 10-minute pitch on their companies at the Symposium and will have the opportunity to participate in the company showcase with dedicated exhibit space throughout both days of the event. In addition, a dedicated team of coaches from the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) as well the greater Michigan community of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs will provide coaching and assist companies with their presentations.

The final deadline for application submissions is Thursday, March 7.  For more information or to submit an application, visit www.MichiganGCS.com Selected companies will be notified by early April.

About the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS)
MGCS is the original university-based venture fair.  This nationally attended two-day event provides an opportunity for financiers to connect with up-and-coming Midwest businesses and learn about emerging technologies.  The Symposium offers the opportunity to build relationships with an unparalleled business network of distinguished private equity industry leaders, leading university research faculty, and entrepreneurial business professionals.  Entering its 32^nd year, MGCS continues to draw top investors from coast to coast.  MGCS is presented by the Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

SOURCE Michigan Growth Capital Symposium

RELATED LINKS
http://www.MichiganGCS.com