Grand Rapids, Mich. (April 24, 2023) – Michigan Capital Network (MCN), the state’s largest association of regional angel investing groups and the management entity for four venture capital funds, announced today an expansion of its administrative operations and the addition of one fulltime staff member to help drive new membership and investment opportunities across the state.
MCN will now operate from two offices in Michigan, the newly remodeled headquarters at 37 Ottawa Ave. NW in Grand Rapids and a new location in the First National Building at 201 S. Main St. in downtown Ann Arbor.
Paul D’Amato, CEO and Managing Director of Michigan Capital Network will oversee MCN Ventures, which is focused on the management and growth of the firm’s four venture capital funds. Diane Durance will oversee operations and member relations at the Ann Arbor office as President of MCN Association. That office will focus on strengthening relationships and growing membership in the BlueWater Angels, Woodward Angels, Flint Angels, Grand Angels and Ka-Zoo Angels, while also working to establish other new regional angel investing entities in Michigan.
“Our new Ann Arbor office is a natural evolution of MCN’s influence in the Michigan angel investing community,” said Ms. Durance. “We’re excited to work more closely with our members in the greater Detroit and mid-Michigan areas, while keeping our roots on the west side of the state.”
Joining Ms. Durance in the Ann Arbor office will be Susanna Stark, whose experience in Michigan’s venture capital sector dates back almost two decades. Ms. Stark joined MCN Association earlier this year as director of operations and business development. Her past industry experience includes working for Ann Arbor IT Zone, Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In her new role, Ms. Stark will connect entrepreneurs seeking funding with the newly established MCN Association Angel Investment Committee, helping those entrepreneurs prepare to present their business vision to prospective angel investors.
“With our statewide network of angel investing groups and our VC funds, we are experiencing higher interest from existing and prospective members,” said Paul D’Amato. “The opening of the Ann Arbor office and the addition of Susanna will help us better serve our members and connect entrepreneurs with prospective investors.”
MCN’s regional angel investment groups and venture capital funds include more than 200 individual investor-members. Combined the angel groups and VC funds have invested in more than 100 companies, creating more than 2,000 high-paying tech industry jobs in Michigan.
Click here to learn more about Michigan Capital Network and its portfolio of investments.