Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Announces Presenting Companies for 33rd Annual Midwest Venture Capital Conference

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Today, organizers of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) announced the 32 companies that will be presenting at the 33rd annual Symposium. Medical device, life sciences, healthcare, technology and clean tech tracks will showcase the "Best of the Midwest's" early stage and growth companies seeking funding. In addition, the new University Research "Pitch" Track will feature four universities that will present on the startup landscape and profile emerging companies coming out of their programs. Organizers also announced that Ed Torres, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive, accomplished venture capitalist and current managing director of Lilly Ventures, will open MGCS with a keynote address.

Hosted by the Ross School of Business' Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, this year's Symposium will be held June 17-18, 2014 at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich. The Symposium, which serves as a conduit for introducing early stage and emerging growth companies seeking funding to U.S. investors prospecting deals, is known for attracting high-quality investors from around the country. 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. Since the Symposium's inception, the event has helped more than 800 companies raise funding.

The 32 companies selected to present represent a broad range of industries. The full list of presenting companies is available at www.michigangcs.com. Following is a partial list of companies:

• SkySpecs – has created a safe, simple, and repeatable way to inspect structures using autonomous aerial vehicles.
• AlertWatch – is a spinoff from the University of Michigan Health System that produces clinical decision support systems for hospitals.
• Delphinus Medical Technologies – has developed SoftVue™, the first circular array transducer technology that has received FDA clearance. 
• picoSpray – has developed a novel low-cost electronic fuel injection (EFI) system for small engines found in lawnmowers, motorcycles, and generators.
• UpTo – offers a modern calendar platform that transforms the way individuals and organizations view, share and interact with the future.  
• RetroSense Therapeutics – is a biotechnology company that is developing a gene therapy to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (advanced dry-AMD).
• 7Signal Solutions – is a network technology company that provides wireless performance assurance and optimization solutions for critical wireless networks.

With his opening keynote address, Torres will round out a content-rich, information-packed event. Torres oversees operations at Lilly Ventures with nearly 25 years of pharmaceutical and venture capital experience. Since co-founding the firm, which focuses on the life sciences arena, Torres has led the investments in – and previously served on the boards of – Serenex (acquired by Pfizer), Conforma Therapeutics (acquired by Biogen Idec), Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Pharmion Corporation) and Fluidigm (FLDM:NASDAQ).

"We're delighted that Ed can join us at the Symposium to share his insight and perspective on innovation, emerging trends and business growth in the life sciences sector," said Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Founder David Brophy. "We have a robust lineup of life sciences panelists and presenting companies, and Ed's vantage point as a global investor with local roots will provide valuable context and a macro perspective for these discussions."

To see the full list of presenting companies, learn more or register, visit www.michigangcs.com and follow conversations about the Symposium by tracking #MGCS on Twitter.

About the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS)
MGCS is the original university-based venture fair, which was first held in 1979. This nationally attended two-day event provides an opportunity for investors 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. MGCS is presented by the Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance and the Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

About the Stephen M. Ross School of Business
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a vibrant and distinctive learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to develop leaders who make a positive difference in the world. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society.

Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the MBA, Part-time MBA (Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Entrepreneurship, Master of Management, BBA, and Ph.D. In addition, the school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management.

SOURCE The Zell Lurie Institute