Displaying items tagged: Start Garden LLC

GRAND RAPIDS — Despite the many accolades for West Michigan’s economy in recent years, prosperity hasn’t necessarily reached all people in the broader community to the same extent.

GRAND RAPIDS — Betsy DeVos’ new role as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump will require her to step away from some of her vast business interests to comply with federal ethics laws.

GRAND RAPIDS — Citing concerns over widespread inequality, economic development stakeholders want to improve their outreach to the growing Latino population in the greater Grand Rapids area.

GRAND RAPIDS — By hiring two economic development professionals who work with the minority community, Start Garden LLC looks to broaden its outreach to more entrepreneurs.

LANSING — A group of Lansing-area investors wants to provide seed capital to one new company annually that’s just getting off the ground.

The first time Jason Mejeur pitched to a prospective venture capital investor, armed with his “crappy” PowerPoint presentation to explain his concept, he failed to secure any money.

From craft distilling to artisan food to retailing to niche publishing firms, West Michigan’s small business executives are genuinely upbeat as they look to 2017. 

GRAND RAPIDS — The sale of RespondWell LLC last summer for an undisclosed sum was the first exit recorded by venture capital firm Michigan Accelerator Fund.

GRAND RAPIDS — After closing last spring on a $2 million venture capital investment, Ted Spooner began seeking another $8 million for his company, RespondWell LLC, a Grand Rapids-based telehealth provider.

GRAND RAPIDS — Software development firm Blue Medora LLC raised nearly $7.5 million in capital in what one expert calls a “tough” but “good” environment for companies seeking investors.

Coming off its merger with eMerge West Michigan earlier this year, Grand Rapids-based Start Garden LLC  has spun off its venture capital arm into a new entity.

Grand Rapids law firm Varnum LLP has pledged another $1 million in free legal services to startups in Michigan.

A state lawmaker wants to restore an angel investment tax credit in Michigan as a way to create a larger pool of prospective investors in startup companies.

The build-out of West Michigan’s nascent startup and entrepreneurial support network will be a marathon, not a sprint. 

GRAND RAPIDS — The formation of a new support system to foster entrepreneurship in West Michigan severs what had been a direct link between higher education and the venture capital community. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Backed by a recent $2 million capital raise, a startup Grand Rapids-based digital health company plans to expand its sales force and further develop its software that allows patients to receive virtual care at home. 

PORT SHELDON — A biotech startup will use $1 million in capital to pay for preclinical trials on an innovation it has developed for use in orthopedic surgeries.

GRAND RAPIDS — A key economic development program aimed at bolstering entrepreneurial activity in the Grand Rapids area will have a new administrator at the start of April.