CitySide Ventures

March 2025 - Regulation Change Announcements! Thank you to our friends at Varnum for keeping us informed. FinCEN Eliminates Corporate Transparency Act’s Reporting Obligations for U.S. Persons Varnum LLP Insperity StartupNation Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. Rehmann Birmingham Angels CitySide Ventures Michael Plocher Anthony Steffens Lezlie Foreman Alayna "Laynie" Langnas #business #corporatelaw #regulation #CTA #corporatetransperencyact #stratups https://lnkd.in/eBBDdDXs

From our Friend Doug Neal!

????The Angels Brief Episode No.6: Getting Real with Michael Pickholz Just wrapped an incredible conversation with Michael Pickholz, and trust me, you'll want to hear this one. Michael's not your typical founder. Before launching MagWerks Vision (one of our portfolio companies), he spent over 25 years in the trenches of the automotive industry. We're talking serious experience - from DbM Reflex Robotics to Sealink International Inc., plus leading aftermarket innovation at Magneti Marelli Parts & Services. And with his mechanical engineering background from Stevens Institute, he knows his stuff inside and out. But what made this conversation special wasn't the resume - it was Michael's raw honesty about the founder journey. No corporate speak, no highlight reel. Just authentic stories about the late nights, the near-misses, and those moments when you question everything. The kind of conversation that makes you realize we're all figuring this out as we go. Come and join me, Doron York , as we dig into what it really means to build something from nothing. #Automotive #venturecapital #vc #angels #angelinvesting #angelinvestors #automotive #mobility #lighting Varnum LLP Insperity Rehmann Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. StartupNation CitySide Ventures Birmingham Angels @theangelsbrief Tim Moore https://lnkd.in/g4WRBrCB

I have a secret! It’s not a big secret, just something that we wanted to build before letting people know about it. Doron York from Birmingham Angels and CitySide Ventures has created a great podcast called #TheAngelsBrief.?He invited me in as co-host a few months ago and we’ve been having fun creating incredible videos by conducting insightful interviews. You can subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gNXwA6Hz, or use the QR code in the pics. There have been some amazing guests already, like Ara Topouzian from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, Doug Neal from eLab Ventures, #PhillipSwanson from Centropolis AI, Somer Baburek, MBA from Hera Biotech, Michael Pickholz from MagWerks Vision, Brenda Jones from Ulendo, Michael Plocher from JOYSONQUIN, Dan Bober and Beth Hussey from Shifty. We are just getting started.?Some notable titans like Professor #DavidJBrophy are on the docket, stay tuned! Casey Iaccino Jason Najor Varnum LLP Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. Rehmann StartupNation Jeff Sloan Reuben Levinsohn Paul Jaques Reed Hostrander Clixie AI Jeff Ponders II Pete Martin Tommy Potter Black Tech Saturdays New Enterprise Forum?

Is Artificial General Intelligence REAL? Explore the fascinating world of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with our insightful podcast! We delve into the key differences between narrow and general AI, discuss the limitations of AI, and examine the latest progress in AI testing, including the ARC-AGI test. Join us as we navigate the exciting and complex future of AI! #ArtificialIntelligence #AGI #ArtificialGeneralIntelligence #AI #NarrowAI #GeneralAI #Podcast #FutureofAI #Tech #AIProgress

Portfolio Company Highlight! Tim Moore Casey Iaccino Jason Najor Varnum LLP Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. Rehmann StartupNation

Join Us for Coffee, Bagels & Angel Investing! Are you an accredited investor curious about angel investing? Pull up a chair and join our friendly monthly gathering where successful angels share their tried-and-true wisdom over fresh coffee and warm bagels. We'll explore the fundamentals of angel investing in a relaxed, welcoming environment perfect for both newcomers and experienced investors alike. Varnum LLP Insperity Rehmann Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. StartupNation CitySide Ventures Birmingham Angels Tim Moore Michael Plocher Shailesh Topiwala Andrew Basile Jeff Sloan Jeffrey Brogley #angelinvesting #angels #angelinvestors #earlystage #VC #venture #venturecapital https://lnkd.in/enyDTby9

The Weekly Context! I know it is counterintuitive for most human beings, firefighters running into the fire and not away from it and Navy SEAL running towards the bullets' and not away from it. Facing challenges head-on is rarely easy, but avoiding them often comes at a far greater cost. When we turn away from problems, we allow them to expand, gain complexity, and sometimes spiral out of control. Confronting issues directly may not guarantee a perfect solution, but it does something powerful—it minimizes damage, builds resilience, and positions us to move forward with clarity and purpose. Think about it: Every challenge you’ve overcome started with one decision—to face it. That’s how progress is made, both in business and in life. How do you approach the tough moments? Do you tackle them immediately or strategize first? Share your approach or a lesson you’ve learned from such experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear your perspective. Varnum LLP Insperity Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. Rehmann StartupNation CitySide Ventures Birmingham Angels Dell Technologies Michael Plocher Tim Moore #founders #founder #startup #startups #earlystage #Management #investing #leadership

Media Release - February 2025! An incredible night at CitySide Ventures and the Birmingham Angels for their monthly investors “Deal Tank” This month we have an impressive lineup of selected Michigan Startups. Modal Motors and its CEO Michael Van Steenburg, Orb Aerospace and their COO Brian David and last but not least HeraWell Technologies, Inc. and their CEO Lindsay A. Joseph We had a full house with investors and guests.? And somehow, during each of the events attended, “Shark Tank” seems to always be on the TV in the background. ?? Thanks to the angels that make great companies possible. Not everyone has friends and family to lean on! Without **true** early-stage funding (pre-seed and seed), things we do and use today would not exist. Onward and upward! ?? Thank you for my partner Michael Plocher our portfolio manager Lezlie Foreman and our entrepreneur in resident and our advisory board member Tim Moore for their support #angel #VC #PE #investing #angelinvesting #angelinvestors #earlystageinvestimg #Venture #Ventureinvesting #Oaklandcounty #Michigan #detroit Thank you to our sponsors and business partners: Varnum LLP Insperity Young Basile Hanlon & MacFarlane, P.C. StartupNation Rehmann Dell Technologies @sidepitch CitySide Ventures

AI Investing: Due Diligence & Ideal Startups Discover crucial diligence practices for evaluating AI investments. Learn how to identify promising AI startups by assessing market size, unique approaches, and the critical balance between technical and business expertise within the team. This video explores key factors for successful AI investment strategies. #AIInvestment #ArtificialIntelligence #VentureCapital #TechInvesting #Startups #DueDiligence #MarketResearch #ProductMarketFit #AIStartups #BusinessStrategy