Michigan Capital Network, a premier investment management organization that oversees five venture capital funds as well as the largest association of Michigan angel investing groups, announced today it has appointed Jenni Li, Ph.D. to Senior Principal at the firm.
Over her six years with MCN, Jenni has become central to the firm’s investment engine. She has led or co-led multiple early-stage investments across life sciences, deep tech, and software, deploying capital across Funds III, IV, and V. She has sourced multiple investments for the firm, and the strength and quality of MCN’s pipeline are a direct reflection of her diligence, judgment, and ability to consistently identify compelling opportunities.
Beyond sourcing and diligence, Jenni has grown tremendously as an investor and portfolio partner. She currently serves as a board director or observer for four portfolio companies and works closely with founders as they navigate clinical, regulatory, commercialization, and follow-on financing milestones. Jenni’s promotion reflects the depth of her contributions to MCN and her growing leadership as an investor.
In her new role, Jenni manages the investment decision-making process and leads the firm’s deal-sourcing operations. She also developed the technical diligence framework and investment memo structure used across the firm, helping MCN evaluate complex scientific, technical, and market opportunities with rigor and efficiency. Jenni will also manage analyst training, helping develop the next generation of investment talent within the organization.
“Jenni is a brilliant and dynamic individual. Her rapid promotion from Associate to Principal and now to Senior Principal underscores her significant capabilities and contributions to our firm’s long-term investment goals,” said Paul D’Amato, CEO and Founding Partner at MCN. “Her insight into new advancements in the life science and bio-technology industries has been a tremendous asset to our investors and the overall performance of our firm. We’re thrilled to add her to our executive team.”
Jenni is also actively involved in the broader venture, scientific, and startup ecosystems. She serves on the advisory board of the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund and has been invited to judge startup competitions and industry events including PitchMI, Project MedTech, and Rally.
Prior to and during her time at MCN, Jenni earned her Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Northwestern University, where she conducted research in RNA synthetic biology and cell-free systems. She also earned a Certificate in Management for Scientists and Engineers from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her scientific work has resulted in more than five peer-reviewed publications and three pending patents.
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