U.S. Commerce's Perez, Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley to Speak at Accelerate Michigan Innovation Gala Awards

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition (AMIC) announced today that U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing Peter M. Perez, and Michigan's Lt. Governor Brian Calley will deliver keynote speeches at its second annual, gala awards dinner Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, North America's largest business plan competition, aims to fuel innovation-based business growth by uncovering the best and brightest new business concepts from local and global entrepreneurs, exposing those opportunities to potential investment capital and fostering their growth within Michigan. The competition, with more than $1 million in total prize money, targets mid- to late-stage business startups with potential to generate an immediate impact on Michigan's economy. Fifty-three companies have been named as semi-finalists for the competition, which features a $500,000 first prize. The semi-finalists will deliver their business pitches to investors on November 15-17 at the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. Winners will be named at the AMIC's gala awards dinner.

Perez is the former president of Carter Products Company in Grand Rapids, Mich. and, currently, assists the U.S. Department of Commerce on strategies aimed at expanding the volume of American exports abroad. This relies heavily on job growth within the U.S. manufacturing sector, a key component of the AMIC competition.  

Understanding the importance of support in the early stages of business development, Lt. Governor Brian Calley led Governor Snyder's business and individual tax reform initiative in order to make Michigan more competitive.

"We are pleased that these key state and federal partners will be joining us to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship," said David Egner, executive director of the New Economy Initiative, a partnership of 10 foundations working to improve the economy of Southeast Michigan and a founding sponsor of the competition. "Their insights will enliven the conversation about our region's unique assets for business creation and growth and how we can continue to develop them." 

Joining Perez and Calley as speakers at the Nov. 17 event will be Michael Finney, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Doug Rothwell, CEO of the Business Leaders for Michigan; David Egner; and Allan Gilmour, president of Wayne State University.

About Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is an international business competition offering more than $1 million in cash awards, plus in-kind awards of services, staffing and software. In addition to the prizes from the competition, entrepreneurs will have access to Michigan's robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, which includes wet labs, incubators, and access to talent from the world's leading research universities.  The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is a collaborative effort of the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan and Accelerate Michigan.  For more information, visit www.acceleratemichigan.org.

SOURCE Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition