Grand Rapids, Mich. (Aug. 28, 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 it has named Sapna Patel as a principal with the investment organization. She becomes the third principal added to the firm since the start of 2023.
Patel brings a professionally diverse background to this new role. She started her career at The Boeing Company, after receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At Boeing, Patel assessed and designed new airplane configurations,
managed design studies, and consulted senior leadership on airplane performance risk management. In
2021, she obtained her MBA from the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where she was awarded the Ross Fellowship, a full-tuition merit scholarship. From there, she served as a Senior Vice President at AlixPartners, a financial advisory and global consulting firm where she worked on multiple performance improvement projects within the Aerospace & Defense industry.
Patel previously worked with MCN in 2020 as a venture capital analyst while working toward her MBA. She now rejoins the firm as a principal, bringing a technical background that makes her an expert reviewer of advanced manufacturing and advanced materials deals. Her experience in consulting is
extremely relevant for venture capital organizations like MCN that are actively involved in the success of the investments.
“Sapna possesses a rare mix of experience both in finance and manufacturing which deepens her insight regarding investment opportunities,” said Paul D’Amato, CEO and Managing Director at MCN. “We are a hands-on organization and support our portfolio companies any way we can including in fundraising, operations, or strategic planning. Sapna’s expertise will be invaluable to our organization and an important resource for our entrepreneurs.”
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.
“I’m thrilled to join the experienced leadership team at MCN,” said Patel. “The growth of the firm the past few years has been remarkable and is a reflection of the leadership’s outstanding vision and active investment strategy. I look forward to working with our member-investors to identify and invest in
promising new ventures.”