Financing

The Ann Arbor Region has a wealth of venture capitalists and Angel investors. The mission of these private firms is to make equity investments in early stage and emerging growth companies. Further info on venture capitalists in Michigan can be obtained through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
medc.michigan.org

Below is a list of the venture capital firms in the region and their contact information.

Arboretum Ventures
334 E. Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734.998.3688
Fax 734.998.3689
www.arboretumv.com

Arbor Partners Venture Fund
Richard Eidswick, Managing Director
130 South First Street, 2nd Floor
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
734.668.9000
Fax 734.668.9000
www.arborpartners.com

Ardesta, Inc.
A leader in bringing small technology products to the global marketplace
Rick Snyder
201 S. Main Street, Suite 1000
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
734.994.7000
www.ardesta.com

EDF
Mary Campbell, General Partner
425 North Main Street
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
734.663.3213
Fax 734.663.7358
www.edfvc.com

Endurance Ventures
Ron Reed, General Partner
122 S. Main St., Ste 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
www.enduranceventures.com

North Coast Technology Investors
Hugo Braun, Lindsey Aspegren
206 South Fifth Avenue, Suite 550
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
734.662.7667
www.northcoastvc.com

Waypoint Ventures
320 North Main St., Suite 400
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104
734.332.1700
www.wpvc.com

Wolverine Fund
University of Michigan Business School
701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48901
734.936.3920

Plymouth Venture Partners
Ian Bund, President
3840 Packard Rd., Suite 110
Ann Arbor, Mich. 48108
734.747.9401
www.plymouthventurepartners.com

Ann Arbor Angels
www.annarborangels.org

The Great Lakes Entrepreneurs' Quest (GLEQ) is a non-profit program that awards prize money in an annual business plan competition aimed at encouraging and educating entrepreneurs on the creation, start-up, and early growth stages of high-growth businesses. Additional information is available at www.gleq.org

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great resource for start-ups. Between 35-40% of SBA loans are to start-up companies. Criteria include:

Outstanding business plan
Good management experience
Concept/product has good potential to succeed

www.sba.gov/financing

SBA Export Express combines the SBA's small business lending assistance with its technical assistance programs to help small businesses that have traditionally had difficulty in obtaining adequate export financing.

"The lower cost of doing business has contributed to our success. One month of rent in Palo Alto is equivalent to one year’s rent in Ann Arbor."

Mark Smith
Vice President
Research and Technology
AVAcore