Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Names First of 40 Presenting Companies

Opportunities Still Available for Presenting Companies, Sponsors at Midwest's Premier Venture Capital Event

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/-- For over three decades, the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium has provided dozens of early stage and emerging growth startups with the unique opportunity to pitch their business concepts to interested investors from across the Midwest and beyond. Today, BioPhotonic Solutions Inc. was the first company to be selected to fill one of 40 positions at the 2012 event, taking place May 15-16, 2012 at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium serves as a conduit for fostering greater awareness for and opportunity to emerging and growing start ups in the greater Midwest. In keeping with its mission to promote such activity, each year one presenting company opportunity is reserved for the winner of The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest (GLEQ), a competition that encourages and educates entrepreneurs on the creation, start up and early growth stages of high-growth businesses within the state of Michigan. BioPhotonic Solutions Inc. was selected for the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium after receiving the $5,000 first place prize in GLEQ at the end of January.  The East Lansing-based company's vision is to enable the transition of ultrafast lasers from the research lab into everyday applications.

"We've got an awful lot of commercialization-ready research coming out of Midwest universities and a growing network of resources to support them," said Symposium Founder David J. Brophy, Director and Professor of Finance at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. "This has produced viable, real companies and we're doing a better job of getting our companies known and shown.  The Symposium is a great way to pole vault your company in that direction, because we bring in people from those other markets."

Symposium Seeks Additional Presenting Companies
The call for presenting companies is currently open. Privately-held companies from a range of industries and seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding are invited to apply for the 39 remaining presentation slots. Those selected from the competitive pool of applicants will receive a valuable opportunity to pitch their business to venture capitalists, angel investors and institutional investors; receive access to expert coaching and preparation assistance; have access to exhibit space; and participate in invaluable networking opportunities.

"MGCS creates a huge opportunity, for not only Michigan companies, but for Michigan itself - to impress and attract out-of-state capital and to get in-state investors connected with companies and excited about doing deals," said Phil Tepley, Director of Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) Technology Team, which specializes in consulting of early stage technology and partners with the Symposium on presentation training. "Several client meetings with investors at the MGCS have led to investments."

The early application deadline is February 23 and the final deadline is March 6. All applicants will be independently selected by a committee of qualified venture capitalists from across the U.S. The companies selected to pitch alongside BioPhotonic Solutions Inc. will be notified on April 5. The application can be found on the Symposium's website.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available
The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium is widely regarded as the "must-attend" event for the most influential leaders in the greater Midwest's investment community. Opportunities still remain to secure a place in front of this audience through the Symposium's Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze level sponsorships, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.  The sponsor deadline is February 28.

Initial 2012 sponsors include: Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Venture Capital Association, Version 2.0 Communications, Automation Alley, Credit Suisse, Arboretum Ventures, BioStar Ventures, Early Stage Partners, Pepper Hamilton, Plymouth Ventures, Venture Investors, Ann Arbor SPARK, BDO, Bank of Ann Arbor, Beringea, Chrysalis Ventures, DFJ Mercury, Honigman, Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest and more at the Bronze sponsorship level.

The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium is presented by the University of Michigan Zell Lurie Institute at the Ross School of Business with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association. For more information on submitting an application to present or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.MichiganGCS.com.

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 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 30th year, MGCS continues to draw top investors from coast to coast.

SOURCE Michigan Growth Capital Symposium