REGION 5: Great Lakes


INVESTORS’ CIRCLE Ms. Susan Davis 31W007 North Avenue, Suite 101 West Chicago, IL 60185 Tel (708)876-1101 Fax (708)876-0187	The Investors’ Circle’s mission “is to build an increasingly active and committed network of investors who invest based on a personal set of values in order to achieve a globally accountable and sustainable economy.” The Investors’ Circle operates a network through which executive summaries on socially responsible ventures are circulated to its membership. There is a $300 fee to companies for this service. Profiled ventures are typically from across the US and sometimes other countries. The Investors’ Circle also hosts a semi-annual Social Venture Fair at which about a dozen companies selected from the network listings make featured presentations. Presenting companies are charged $900 for participation in the fair. The Fairs also offer educational programs for members on value-based private equity investing. Members include venture capitalists and fund managers who pay annual dues of $1,500 and qualified private investors who pay $1,000 annual dues. More than 150 investors are members of Investors’ Circle. Investment interest areas include community development, health, international development, women and minority-led business, consumer products, education, energy, environment and recycling.
MIT ENTERPRISE FORUM OF CHICAGO Mr. Jerry R. Mitchell 8 South Michigan Ave. Suite #1000 Chicago, IL 60603 Tel (312)782-4951 Email: Chiform@mit.edu	The MIT Enterprise Forum of Chicago seeks to “promote and strengthen the process of starting and growing companies which have a strong technology orientation by providing services with educate and inform entrepreneurs.” Monthly meetings are held at which “we normally use a case presentation/panel discussion approach to focus on a single company in a critical stage of development.” Entrepreneurs are given professional feedback in the improvement of their business plans and presentations.
GREAT MIDWEST VENTURE CAPITAL CONFERENCE Indiana Small Bus. Dev. Corp. Mr. John Ridder One North Capitol Avenue Suite 1275 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Fax (317)264-2806 Tel (317)264-2820	The Great Midwest Venture Capital Conference is a two-day fall event presented by the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation, Ernst & Young, and other sponsors, including venture groups in the midwest. The conference features a keynote investment speaker and business presentations and displays of selected entrepreneurial companies. The conference brochure states that “more than 25 presenting companies are the highest caliber candidates for venture investments in the Midwest. These companies have well-defined market niches, experienced management teams, potentially high returns on investment, and offer both early and later stage deals. Venture capitalists and private investors from across the United States will again be in attendance.”
PRIVATE INVESTORS NETWORK Indiana Small Bus. Dev. Center Seema Pawar 216 W. Allen Street Bloomington, IN 47403 Tel (812)339-8937 Fax (812)335-7352	The Private Investors’ Network includes about 25 investors, most of whom are located in Bloomington, Indiana. The network has reviewed approximately 10 business plans in the last year from entrepreneurs in Indiana. There are no fees for participation in this network, but entrepreneurs must cover the costs of copying and mailing their business plans to potential investors.
VENTURE CLUB OF INDIANA, INC. Ms. Margo Jaqua P. O. Box 40872 Indianapolis, IN 46240-0872 Tel (317)253-1244	“The Venture Club of Indiana creates a unique environment in which business investors and entrepreneurs can make valuable contacts, exchange information and create mutual business opportunities.” Monthly luncheon meetings are held which include five-minute business presentations and guest venture investment or entrepreneurial speakers.
CAPITAL ENTERPRISE FORUM Ms. Patricia Cook P. O. Box 14030 Lansing, MI 48901 Tel (517)487-6340 Fax (517)484-6910	The Capital Enterprise Forum meets in the evenings on the third Monday of February, March, April, May, September, October, and November to encourage entrepreneurship and capital formation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CAPITAL NETWORK Center for Environmental Policy, Economics, and Science Mr. Loch McCabe 416 Longshore Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Tel (313)996-8387 Fax (313)996-8732 Email: ecn@bizserve.com URL: http://bizserve.com/ecn/	The Environmental Capital Network’s mission is to “foster economic wealth and planetary health through facilitating the finance, development and commercialization of tomorrow’s environmental and green technologies, products and services. The Environmental Capital Network (ECN) provides company profiles of recycling and other environmental firms to investors nationwide, many of whom are particularly interested in and knowledgeable about environmental industries. Company Profiles are sent twice per month to more than 80 individual, professional and corporate investors. Company registration fees are $350 per year. Each company may revise their Company Profile two times per year at no additional charge. Investor fees are $250-350 per year.” “ECN also provides a specialized Business Plan Review service for environmental companies raising capital. ECN research shows that investors strongly consider a firm’s business plan, but that the business plans of many environmental firms do not get a very positive response. The Business Plan Review service provides firms with detailed feedback and suggestions about their business plan from actual investors in their industry. This service can be particularly valuable for firms who want to enhance their investor response. ECN was a co-sponsor of the Southeast and Northeast Recycling Investment Forums and is researching the venture capital market for the pollution prevention industry.”
MICHIANA INVESTMENT NETWORK Small Business Development Center Ms. Carolyn Anderson 300 N. Michigan South Bend, IN 46601 Tel (219)282-4350 Fax (219)236-1056	“The Michiana Investment Network helps match entrepreneurs with investors in the Michiana business community.” The network hosts quarterly luncheon meetings featuring short presentations from entrepreneurs as well as investment speakers.
MICHIGAN GROWTH CAPITAL SYMPOSIUM The University of Michigan Dr. David J. Brophy 3241 Business Administration Bldg. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234 Tel (800)964-9714 Fax (313)763-5688 Internet URL: http://www.umich. edu/~ospef/gcs.html/	“The annual Michigan Growth Capital Symposium provides investors and companies which seek growth capital investments, strategic alliances and joint ventures access to sources of such transactions. The symposium has proven itself to be effective in bringing growing companies with investors. In its 15-year history, the Symposium has helped over 350 growing companies raise nearly $200 million in growth capital.”
MID-MICHIGAN VENTURE CAPITAL FORUM Mr. Clifford Van Dyke P. O. Box 369 Bay City, MI 48707-0369 Tel (517)893-5596	The Mid-Michigan Venture Capital Forum hosts monthly meetings including featured company presentations, keynote speakers, and three-minute business introductions. The Forum’s purpose is “putting people who need money and business advice together with people who have money and business expertise.”
NEW ENTERPRISE FORUM Mr. Thomas S. Porter 912 N. Main Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Tel (313)662-0580	The New Enterprise Forum hosts monthly meetings to link entrepreneurs, potential managers, joint venture partners, service providers, and capital providers.
THE SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN VENTURE GROUP Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce Mr. Carl Meyering 600 West Lafayette Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226 Tel (313)596-0402	The Southeastern Michigan Venture Group meets monthly to provide networking opportunities for private and public investors, service providers and entrepreneurs and educational programs. The Group is a program of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce.
TRAVERSE BAY ENTERPRISE FORUM c/o NW Michigan Council of Gov’ts Mr. Richard Beldin P. O. Box 506 Traverse City, MI 49685-0506 Tel (616)929-5017	“The Traverse Bay Enterprise Forum exists to bring together entrepreneurs and investors in the northwest lower Michigan area. The organization’s goal is the creation of new businesses through innovative networking of area resources and expertise.” Quarterly meetings are held at which several companies present venture opportunities.
WEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS/FINANCE FORUM Mr. Raymond De Winkle 17 Fountain Street, NW Grand Rapids, MI 49500 Tel (616)771-0328	The West Michigan Business/Finance Forum conducts semi-annual meetings to present featured businesses.
THE COLLABORATIVE Mr. Daniel Carr 10 South 5th Street, Suite 415 Minneapolis, MN 55402-1004 Tel (612)338-3828 Fax (612)338-1876	“The Collaborative is a member organization of entrepreneurs, managers, investors, and professionals involved in developing new and emerging companies.” The organization provides publications, workshops and monthly meetings to help build Minnesota companies.
INNOVEST Mr. Charles Burkett Enterprise Development Inc. 11000 Cedar Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106 Tel (216)229-9445 Fax (216)229-3236	Innovest is an annual conference which brings together high technology growth ventures with investors and business development actors.
GREATER CINCINNATI VENTURE ASSOCIATION Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Ms. Rachel Ganim 300 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45202-2812 Tel (513)579-3128 Fax (513)579-3101 Email:rganim@gccc.com	The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association is a not-for- profit corporation whose “purpose is to provide a link for entrepreneurs seeking business assistance with sources of capital/business expertise.” The GCVA hosts monthly luncheon meetings which include 10 minute presentations by entrepreneurs seeking equity capital or management support, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities.
MIAMI VALLEY VENTURE ASSOCIATION Ms. Karrie Stock 137 North Main Street, Suite 702 Dayton, OH 45402-1729 Tel (513)228-1141	“The Miami Valley Venture Association provides a support mechanism for entrepreneurs, raises the awareness of the region’s venture capital and promotes the interaction between emerging businesses and financial resources.” Bi-monthly meetings are conducted and business plan review services are provided.
WISCONSIN VENTURE FAIR Wisconsin Innovation Network Mr. Ken Syke P.O. Box 71 Madison, WI 53701-0071 Tel (608)256-8348 Fax (608)256-0333	“The annual Wisconsin Venture Fair showcases Wisconsin’s most promising emerging growth companies to an audience of out-of-state and in-state venture capitalists and other investors.” The Fair is organized by the “the Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) Foundation (which) supports and encourages high-tech entrepreneurs throughout the State of Wisconsin by linking them with the management, technical and financial assistance needed to start and successfully operate a new enterprise.”
WISCONSIN VENTURE NETWORK Mr. Paul Sweeney P.O. Box 92093 Milwaukee, WI 53202-0093 Tel (414)224-7070 Fax (414)271-4016	The Wisconsin Venture Network “actively supports both new and established businesses by providing a means for investors, entrepreneurs, and business advisors to make mutually beneficial contacts and to promote and contribute to the formation and growth of specific enterprises.” Monthly luncheons with business presentations, educational programs, and newsletters are offered.

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REGION 5: Great Lakes

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