Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] FIN HEA
[SU] TDS
TO BUSINESS, HEALTH, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Michigan Growth Capital Symposium Announces Speakers for the Midwest's
Leading Venture Capital Event
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today,
organizers of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) unveiled
initial program details for the 33rd annual event. The Symposium,
which serves as a conduit for introducing early stage and emerging
growth companies seeking funding, to U.S. investors prospecting deals,
is known for attracting high-quality investors from around the
country. This year's program will feature a keynote address from Exact
Sciences' Kevin Conroy, as well as five panel discussions and a
showcase of the most promising early to later stage Midwest,
high-growth companies seeking institutional investment within the next
12 months.
Hosted by the Ross School of Business' Zell Lurie Institute for
Entrepreneurial Studies with support from the Michigan Venture Capital
Association, this year's Symposium will be held June 17-18, 2014 at
the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti, Mich.
More than 400 entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and
business executives are expected to attend. Key panel topics covered
at this year's event include:
-- Venture Capital Investment Trends in the Midwest
-- VC-Backed Company Boards: Best Practices for Success
-- Putting Big Data to Work in Michigan
-- The Return of the Healthcare IPO
-- Innovations in Healthcare Information Technology
Kevin Conroy Headlines Roster of Respected Industry Speakers This
year's program will kick off with a keynote address from Conroy,
Chairman and CEO of Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences, a molecular
diagnostics company focused on colorectal cancer. A seasoned and
successful healthcare and medical device industry executive, Conroy
was appointed Chairman of the Board of Exact Sciences in March 2014.
He continues to serve as the company's President and Chief Executive
Officer, as he has since April 2009.
Prior to Exact Sciences, Conroy served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of molecular diagnostics company Third Wave,
acquired by Hologic in July 2008. His career also includes serving as
intellectual property counsel at GE Healthcare and stints as Chief
Operating Officer of two early stage, venture-backed technology
companies. Conroy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical
engineering from Michigan State University, as well as a law degree
from the University of Michigan Law School.
At the Symposium, Conroy will address the thriving innovation economy
in the Midwest, complete with an unmatched level of University
research, development and talent, as well as its robust early and
growth stage financing climates. He will share his experiences
building successful healthcare diagnostics companies in this region
and will provide suggestions to help the innovation community of
investors, founders and advisers to become even more powerful.
In addition to Conroy, the program will feature high-caliber speakers
representing entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professionals and
business executives who will lead informative discussions on pivotal
industry issues. Confirmed speakers include:
-- Jim Adox, Managing Director, Venture Investors
-- Mitchell Bloom, Partner, Goodwin Proctor
-- James Burgum, Managing Partner, Arthur Ventures
-- Ian Clemens, CTO, IDV Solutions
-- Larry Freed, Founder, 2nd Stage Partners, and former President,
Foresee
-- Blair Garrou, Managing Director, Mercury Fund
-- Mark Hasebroock, Founder, Dundee Ventures
-- Mark Horne, Managing Partner, Plymouth Venture Partners
-- Tim Mayleben, President and CEO, Esperion Therapeutics
-- Mark Morrison, CEO , IDV Solutions
-- Ted Omlid, Managing Director, Evercore Partners
-- Jim Pavlik, Partner, Baird Capital
-- Tim Petersen, Managing Director, Arboretum Ventures
-- Gerald J. Philipp, Co-CEO, Co-Founder, Lynx Network Group, Inc.
-- Timothy Wadhams, Former CEO, Masco Corporation
-- Kevin Willer, Co-founder and Partner, Chicago Ventures
"This year's event will be a content-rich, information-packed two days
with presentations and panel discussions led by amazing local and
national speakers," said Jim Adox, President of the Michigan Venture
Capital Association and Managing Director at Venture Investors. "We
are thrilled that Kevin can kick off the Symposium as our keynote
presenter. As a successful entrepreneurial and business leader,
Kevin's first-hand experiences and insights about turning
opportunities present in the Midwest into highly successful companies
will not only motivate attendees, but provide practical knowledge that
everyone - investors, founders and service providers - can immediately
put into practice."
Selected presenting companies will be announced a few weeks prior to
the event. To learn more or to register, visit www.MichiganGCS.com and
follow conversations about the MGCS by tracking #MGCS on Twitter.
About the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) MGCS is the
original university-based venture fair, which was first held in 1979.
This nationally attended two-day event provides an opportunity for
investors to connect with up-and-coming Midwest businesses and learn
about emerging technologies. The Symposium offers the opportunity to
build relationships with an unparalleled business network of
distinguished private equity industry leaders, leading university
research faculty, and entrepreneurial business professionals. MGCS is
presented by the Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance
and the Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan Ross School
of Business with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association
and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
About the Stephen M. Ross School of Business The Stephen M. Ross
School of Business at the University of Michigan is a vibrant and
distinctive learning community grounded in the principle that business
can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic
global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to develop
leaders who make a positive difference in the world. Through thought
and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation
that improves business and society.
Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business
schools. Academic degree programs include the MBA, Part-time MBA
(Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of
Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of
Entrepreneurship, Master of Management, BBA, and PhD. In addition, the
school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education
programs targeting general management, leadership development, and
strategic human resource management.
SOURCE Michigan Growth Capital Symposium
-0- 04/25/2014
/CONTACT: Rachel Schlacter, Version 2.0 Communications, 617-426-2222, rschlacter@v2comms.com; Mary Nickson, Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, 734-615-4424, mnickson@umich.edu
/Web Site: http://www.zli.bus.umich.edu
CO: Michigan Growth Capital Symposium
ST: Michigan
IN: FIN HEA
SU: TDS
PRN
-- DC12758 --
0000 04/25/2014 11:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
