University of Michigan's Zell Lurie Institute Partners with CoFoundersLab on Michigan Founder Finder Search Site

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business announced its first milestone with its Michigan Founder Finder portal that was launched in August in partnership with CoFoundersLab. The free portal is available to students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to aid in the introduction of entrepreneurs to the partnering and mentoring resources they need. To date, nearly 300 profiles have been created in the Southeast Michigan area.

Michigan Founder Finder provides a central resource that enables University of Michigan students to connect with a greater range of resources as they look to advance their entrepreneurial efforts. New features were recently added to the portal, such as advisor and intern matching, where entrepreneurs from the surrounding community can connect with the talent pool from the school.

"This initiative is another example of our commitment to engage with the greater Michigan community and help to further business start-up activity in the region," said Sarika Gupta, associate director of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. "This unique resource supports the many programs that we offer our students to go beyond the classroom and accelerate their business ventures."

Build Your Core Co-founding Team! The public is invited to attend the CoFoundersLab Matchup Detroit on Wednesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Circus training institute in downtown Detroit. The networking meeting will serve as a gathering to connect like-minded entrepreneurs who are looking for the right people to build start-up teams. To learn more or to create a profile on Michigan Founder Finder, please visit http://michigan.cofounderslab.com/.

The Founder Finder 'matching' program initiative exists alongside the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS), which connects national leaders in venture capital investment with emerging growth companies actively searching for partners and funding. This year, the event, which will be held June 17 and 18 at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich., expects to showcase 35-40 of "the Best of the Midwest" high-growth companies. The Zell Lurie Institute also supports TechArb, an accelerator program for University of Michigan students that allows students to build viable ventures in an intensive hands-on entrepreneurial education experience. Stay informed on these and other Zell Lurie Institute happenings on Twitter and Facebook. 

About the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
The Institute and its Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance bring together a potent mix of knowledge, experience and opportunities from the front lines of entrepreneurship and alternative investments. The student learning experience is further enhanced through internships, entrepreneurial clubs and events that serve to provide viable networks and engage the business community. The School's three student-led investment funds, with over $6.5M under management, immerse students in the business assessment and investment process. Founding Board Members include Samuel Zell, Chairman of Equity Group Investments and Eugene Applebaum, Founder of Arbor Drugs, Inc. For more information, visit the Institute at www.zli.bus.umich.edu.

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 PhD. 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