Author: Emily Gilbert

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.

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.

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

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.