Michigan Capital Network Selects New Controller

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 it has hired Lindsey Dykstra as its new Controller.

Lindsey comes to MCN with extensive experience in accounting, having handled accurate and up-to-date financial records for small businesses for several years. She possesses a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of accounting and financial planning.

Prior to joining MCN, Lindsey served as a staff accountant and assistant controller for Simply Counted Business Services, Inc. of Holland. In that role, she was responsible for all financial requirements of the company including preparing financial statements, creating projections, monitoring cash flows, processing payroll and filing payroll taxes, reconciling accounts payable and accounts receivable, and assisting staff and clients with any financial matters.  Lindsey has also served as a tax preparer for Simply Tax, Inc. of Holland, and worked in the accounting office at U.S. Tarp in South Haven.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Ferris State University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. While at FSU, she also obtained a Certificate in Forensic Accounting.

“We feel very fortunate to have Lindsey join our administrative team,” said Meagan Malm, senior principal at MCN. “Lindsey’s addition will be seamless to our member-investors, and it will allow us to stay ahead of all key financial matters for the organization.”

Lindsey started with MCN on May 1st. Please join me in welcoming her to the MCN family.

Michigan Capital Network Promotes Jenni Li to Senior Associate

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Feb. 26, 2024) – 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 it has named Jenni Li as Senior Associate.

Li joined MCN in 2020 as an analyst after completing her BS in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Georgia Tech, where she was a Petit Undergraduate Research Scholar. She was promoted to senior analyst at MCN in late 2021. This new appointment to senior associate comes as she pursues a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Northwestern University in Chicago.

In her new role, Jenni will lead the technical review team specializing in the evaluation of potential portfolio companies’ clinical data and patents. Her work with MCN to this point has included leading the firm’s investment guidance in several therapeutic and medical device sectors including Tetra Therapeutics, HistoSonics, Ablative Solutions, ONL Therapeutics, and PhotoniCare. 

“I have enjoyed my work with MCN over the past three and a half years and I’m thrilled to take on this new role,” said Li. “I am fortunate to work with an experienced leadership team that is focused on connecting investors with entrepreneurs, especially in the life-sciences industry.”

Li’s career in early-stage life sciences technology began as a co-entrepreneur lead in the NSF I-Corps program and has continued through her published research on synthetic biology and bioengineering. Her research has covered the development of microfluidic platforms, use of synthetic biology for diagnostic applications, and understanding C. elegans whole-brain dynamics.

“Jenni has demonstrated a high level of subject matter knowledge in the life-sciences sector during her time with us, and that has proven very valuable to our member-investors and our portfolio companies,” said Meagan Malm, Senior Principal at Michigan Capital Network. “That knowledge combined with her business acumen will help us identify new opportunities and further strengthen our overall investing efforts.”

To learn more about Michigan Capital Network, its staff and its portfolio of investments, you can click here to visit their website.

Dale Grogan, Jody Vanderwel & Paul D’Amato: Crain’s Newsmakers 2023

Congratulations Paul Damato, Jody Vanderwel and Dale Grogan on making the Crain’s Grand Rapids Business 2023 Newsmakers list!

Michigan Capital Network is lucky to be led by such great people. We’re proud of the work they have put in, this title is well deserved.

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business; By: Mark Sanchez

Elly Zandee Promoted to Controller at Michigan Capital Network

Michigan Capital Network (MCN) is pleased to announce the promotion of Elly Zandee to the role of company controller.

Elly joined MCN in January 2022 and has performed a number of tasks for the firm, including work as an accountant, systems manager and marketing specialist. In her new role, Elly will oversee MCN’s accounting operations, financial reporting, and tax planning and compliance. As the firm grows, her insight and involvement will be crucial to scaling MCN’s Fund Management systems. Her work in this new role will be extremely important in maximizing returns for MCN investors and supporting the needs of the portfolio companies and their CEOs.

Elly is a Grand Rapids native. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Calvin University, where she spent one year on the leadership team of Knight Investment Management, a student organization at Calvin that invests a portion of the University’s endowment. Prior to that, she interned at Goldman Sachs where she worked as an investment analyst during the summer of 2021.

“Elly has consistently exceeded expectations and showcased a commitment to accuracy and innovation during her time with the firm,” said Meagan Malm, principal at MCN. “In just two short years she has developed a deep understanding of the business and is a crucial part of MCN’s success. We’re confident she will continue to deliver great work for our member-investors.”

Please join us in congratulating Elly on her new role with MCN!

Michigan Capital Network Names Meagan Malm Director of Grand Angels 

Grand Rapids, Mich. (Jan. 8, 2024) – 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 that Meagan Malm will now take on the added role of Director of Grand Angels.  

Ms. Malm joined MCN in 2020 and was named a principal at the firm in December 2022. In that role, she sources investment opportunities, conducts due diligence and manages the firm’s portfolio companies. In addition to the Grand Angels appointment, she has been named to the Board of Directors of Poppy Flowers, an MCN portfolio company based in Virginia. Her board commitments also include serving on the Michigan Venture Capital Association Board and its Talent Committee, as well as serving as an observer on the PhotoniCare Board of Directors. 

Ms. Malm holds a business degree from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, with a concentration in Strategy and Entrepreneurial Studies. Upon graduation, she was selected as the sole recipient of the Raoul Wallenberg Fellowship, a two-year program to self-direct a research project in Tanzania, where she studied the application of mobile micro-financial tools. Additionally, she is a University of Michigan Hopwood Award Winner, Ross School of Business Carson Scholar, and a Fulbright Scholar. In October 2023, she was recognized as a 40-Under-40 business leader by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. 

Her responsibilities as director of the Grand Angels will involve member engagement and attraction, while also leading activities associated with the review and selection of prospective investor opportunities.  

“Meagan is a tremendous organizational leader who has a great working knowledge of the Grand Angels group and its mission,” said Paul D’Amato, CEO and Managing Director of the firm. “She has the full faith and confidence of the member-investors and her insight will help grow the organization going forward.” 

MCN’s five regional angel investment groups total more than 200 individual investors or members. Between the angel groups and the four venture capital funds, MCN has 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. 

About Michigan Capital Network 

Michigan Capital Network is a non-profit trade association representing five regional angel investment groups – Grand Angels, Ka-Zoo Angels, Woodward Angels, Flint Angels and Bluewater Angels – and management entity for four venture capital funds. The association is committed to utilizing its financial, intellectual and networking resources to help its portfolio companies grow and positively impact the Michigan economy.