Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Reveals Programming and Final Call for Presenting Companies for 30th Annual Event

Life Sciences Investment Trends, Early Stage Investments, and Venture Capital Regulation among Topics to Be Discussed By High Profile Investors from Across the Nation

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, which is hosted by the Ross School of Business' Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, today unveiled details on the topics and experts that will be a part of this year's robust event programming.  As part of its legacy of shining a spotlight on the extraordinary innovation and investment opportunities in the Midwest, the symposium will feature five panel discussions, two days of continuous networking opportunities and presentations from 44 of the region's most promising companies seeking $500,000 to $20 million in funding.

Year after year the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium continues to be the Midwest's leading conference for showcasing high-quality, investible companies and attracting the best, high-quality investors from across the U.S. Over the past 10 years more than 300 companies have presented at the Symposium and 71% of them have raised capital – totaling more than $1.7 billion in investments. Further, nearly 20% of the companies funded have realized successful exits. This not only points to the promise of the companies presenting at the event, but also to its critical contributions to the region's economic development.

The Symposium, which will be held at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich. on May 10-11, 2011, will host over 400 attendees and 65 investment firms. The final deadline for interested companies to submit proposals has been extended to Thursday, March 10; presenting companies will be revealed to the public on May 3.

Robust Programming Addresses Top Industry Issues

The 30th anniversary Symposium will feature panel discussions led by some of the nation's leading investors and entrepreneurs.  The sessions will provide insight on venture capital and investment trends and industry snapshots of emerging growth sectors such as life sciences and technology.

This year's robust programming will feature world class panel discussions, including:

• Early Stage Investing: Anatomy of a Successful Deal – moderated by Andrew McColm, of Early Stage Partners
• Investment Trends in the Life Sciences – moderated by Paul McCreadie of Arboretum Ventures, with panelists from Simpirica Spine, Versant Ventures, and BioVentures
• Navigating Regulatory Policies in Venture Capital – moderated by Michael Staebler, of Pepper Hamilton LLP
• Best Practices in Venture Capital: Leveraging the CFO – moderated by Michael Schiavo of Venture Investors LLC
• Access to Capital: The Midwest Landscape – moderated by Richard Walawender of Miller Canfield

"We have reached a critical inflection point in Michigan," said David J. Brophy, Michigan Growth Capital Symposium founder. "After three decades of building the start-up and investment communities here, we are seeing deals come to fruition and national attention being paid to them.  Whether an investor, sponsor or presenting company, attendees of this year's event are sure to be a part of a historical shift in the Midwest investment landscape."

Further symposium details will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.michigangcs.com for updates to the program or to register to attend.  For information or questions regarding presenting company details, please contact Mary Nickson, Symposium manager, at 734-615-4424 or [email protected].

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 and entrepreneurial business professionals. Entering its 30th 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.

SOURCE Michigan Growth Capital Symposium