Michigan Founders Fund

We're thrilled to recognize our incredible innovation and entrepreneurship partners and MFF members honored in?Crain's Detroit 40 Under 40, 2024! Michigan Founders Fund Members: ? Darren Riley, Founder of JustAir ??Ashok Sivanand, Founder and CEO of Integral. ? Alexa Turnage and Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founders of Black Tech Saturdays and EvenScore Entrepreneurship & Innovation Partners: ? Nia Batts, Managing Director Union Heritage ? Christina Drake, Partner at Renaissance Venture Capital ? Amanda Lewan, Co-Founder and CEO at Bamboo ? Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund These change makers are shaping the future through their innovative work and unwavering commitment to their communities. Darren Riley said, “Why I’m still here and why I will stay here is because the ecosystem that we’re building is one of a kind.” ?? Learn more about their inspiring stories and accomplishments in the?Crain's Detroit 40 Under 40, 2024?feature here:?https://lnkd.in/eze-8QVR #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Leadership #Detroit40Under40

Happy National Women’s Entrepreneurship Day!?? This day represents a celebration of the achievements of women entrepreneurs around the world. It highlights their contributions to innovation, economic growth, and social impact while also raising awareness of the challenges they face. The day serves as a call to action to support women-led businesses through funding, mentorship, and resources, promoting an inclusive and empowering entrepreneurial ecosystem. It’s a moment to inspire future generations and recognize the essential role of women in shaping industries and communities. Check out this article by MTEC SmartZone featuring MFF members Jordan Ruth Craven, co-founder and CEO of Sizeologic, and Valerie Obenchain, founder and CEO of ADVANCED INTERACTIVE RESPONSE SYSTEMS (AIRS). The article talks about the challenges women entrepreneurs face, their creativity, and the positive impact they make. It highlights the need for more support, like funding, mentors, and networking, to help them succeed. Read more here:?https://lnkd.in/gXj-XGDm

Congratulations to MFF members Ryan J. LaPensee, MSQA, Co-Founder and CEO of PanOptic Quality Systems, and Marc Alexander, Co-founder and CEO of?Lite Raise, for being named as one of the?Macomb County Chamber's 40 Under 40!??? Join them on November 21st?to celebrate at The Palazzo Grande: ???Thursday, November 21st, 2024 ??6:00 PM - 10:00 PM ???The Palazzo Grande, Shelby Township, MI Register here ?? https://lnkd.in/gNpGrX-P Also, check out Marc Alexander on?Fox2 News?sharing tips for?Giving Tuesday?success! Watch here:?https://lnkd.in/gJ8ARRgi. #Leadership #40Under40 #GivingTuesday #Innovation #MFF

In early 2023, MFF sought someone to build strong bonds across the Michigan entrepreneurial ecosystem for all of us -- to say that Pete Martin came in and accomplished this is an understatement! Now, after playing such a critical role as our innovation economy takes off, we are saying a fond farewell to Pete as he graduates to his next opportunity! As our Head of Connection, Pete established numerous ties across the state while supporting and uplifting our founder community. Not only will we miss Pete's infectious people-connecting, but also his insatiable appetite to promote all types of Michigan startups, brands, and mitten-T-shirts for the world to appreciate. Thankfully he isn't going too far, and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our Michigan ecosystem - thank you, Pete!

Huge shoutout to MFF member Johnnie Turnage, co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays?for leading the Michigan delegation to AFROTECH alongside Alexa Turnage, and their impact on Detroit’s exploding tech scene. That vision was encapsulated in his 2023 op-ed,?"For Detroit to Thrive, We Need a BIPOC Tech Renaissance,"?and sparked a movement to build America’s premier Black tech ecosystem." Excited to see MFF members Arabia Simeon, Shay Bailey, DeAngelo Smith, Achsha Jones, Ashton Keys, Michael Polk, Madala Mathurin, Kaleena Eugene-Louis, and Crystal Brown representing Michigan founders and driving our community forward on the national scene! Join as?Black Tech Saturdays alongside MEDC as they present Bright Future, Black Genius?— a night to celebrate Detroit’s talent in Houston. This gathering brings together visionaries, builders, and dreamers, united in purpose and unstoppable in potential." ??? Friday, November 15, 6 PM ?? Post In Houston ??? RSVP:?https://lu.ma/2nvvw75l #BlackTechSaturdays #AfroTech #DetroitTech #MFF

?? Shoutout to MFF member David R. Medina álvarez at LIVAQ for being featured in a recent New York Times article! David is at the forefront of creating the electric all-terrain vehicle, EQUAD, at Newlab in Detroit, showcasing the city's transformation into a center for mobility innovation. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication are paving the way for a sustainable future in transportation. Be sure to read the article to learn more about David's inspiring journey and Detroit's transformation from a historic automotive hub to a center for innovation! ???https://lnkd.in/g_TZb3Hz #MFF #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Detroit #Startups

?? Congratulations to MFF members BlueConduit,?Clixie AI, ContentSeal, Farmish, Grounded, Hush, Intermode, Kall Morris Inc, PassiveBolt, and RIVET Work?for making the?2025 Renaissance Hotlist!??? The Hotlist is a curated selection of promising early-stage Michigan companies expected to raise venture capital in the next 12-18 months, chosen from hundreds of recommendations by Renaissance’s local partners across sectors. Check out the list and learn more about these companies here ???https://lnkd.in/dR_y32A #RenaissanceHotlist #Innovation #MFF #Startups

???? Happy Election Day, Michigan! If you haven’t voted yet, make sure to get out there and do your civic duty. Your vote is your voice! Find your polling place here ???https://lnkd.in/dZ9xpXD Let’s remind everyone to get out and vote! ??? #ElectionDay #Vote #CivicDuty

?? Last week’s Founders First Fridays was another success! High-growth founders from across Michigan, from Detroit to Houghton, came together to share insights, tackle challenges, and build powerful connections. Check out some amazing photos from last Friday! A big thank you to our amazing hosts across the state for creating spaces to foster innovation and support! ???Detroit at Newlab, Hosted by Paris Plain, founder of Ultrium Inc. ???Traverse City at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness Gym, Hosted by Broc Crandall, co-founder of Stocked ???Royal Oak at Bamboo, Hosted by Christina Fair, co-founder of Hum ???Ann Arbor at Cahoots, Hosted by Prashant Salla, co-founder of Goodhood ???Sterling Heights at Velocity, Hosted by Ryan J. LaPensee, MSQA, founder of PanOptic Quality Systems ???Grand Rapids at Start Garden, Hosted by Terra Osman, founder of Farmish, and andrea wallace, founder of Opnr ???Houghton at Michigan Tech Lakeshore Center, Hosted by Jordan Ruth Craven, founder of Sizeologic Don’t forget, our next Founders First Fridays is on?December 6th! Mark your calendar and join us for networking and support. Learn more here ???https://lnkd.in/gHRFCCve #startups #founders #Michigan

??? Election day is just 4 days away! Do you have your voting plan ready? Check out early voting options and find your polling location here ?? https://lnkd.in/dZ9xpXD Big shoutout to Politics on the Go (POGO), founded by MFF member Arabia Simeon! POGO is committed to making sure you're voting informed by offering accessible, transparent tools to help you plan, learn about candidates, and take action. They provide voter-friendly, non-partisan resources designed for personalized civic engagement. Download the app today ???https://lnkd.in/gMrurvFJ?and go vote!