On Friday, September 20th, the Invest360 event, held at the University of Michigan Golf Course Clubhouse, celebrated some of Southeast Michigan’s most innovative early-stage companies. With fifteen startups competing for a share of $200,000 in investment funds across the Technology, Healthcare, and Mobility sectors, the event highlighted the region’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Culturebie claimed top honors in the Technology sector, impressing with its enterprise software aimed at enhancing company culture and employee engagement. In the Healthcare sector, Decimal Code impressed judges with its automated medical coding platform which increases revenue and reduces costs for healthcare providers. Finally, Electric Outdoors triumphed in the Mobility sector with its solar-powered, off-grid camping platform that enables landowners to unlock new land and destinations and generate new revenue streams.
Invest360’s lineup featured a diverse array of forward-thinking companies, all of which delivered impressive pitches to a panel of seasoned venture capital investors. The day also included a keynote address from Sean Ainsworth, CEO and Chairman of Immusoft Corporation, who shared his startup journey, including with RetroSense Therapeutics, and provided valuable insights into navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Attendees were also treated to an engaging Entrepreneur Exit Panel Session, moderated by Ben Marchionna, Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer of the MEDC. Panelists Priya Gogoi, Moses Lee, and Mark Gurney, who all had successful exits that have provided significant returns to SPARK Capital, discussed the highs, lows, and lessons learned from their own journeys.
As the event concluded, the highly anticipated “People’s Choice” vote awarded an additional $50,000 to one standout startup, Decimal Code, giving it a critical boost towards future growth.
“Invest360 continues to demonstrate Southeast Michigan’s position as a leading hub for innovation,” said Mike Flanagan, vice president of capital programs at Ann Arbor SPARK. “The creativity and determination displayed by today’s participants reflect the strength and potential of our local startups.”
Invest360 is a key event within the a2Tech360 series, which brings together Southeast Michigan’s most promising startups, investors, and tech leaders. This annual series of events, hosted by Ann Arbor SPARK, highlights the region’s innovation ecosystem through a week-long celebration of technology, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge solutions.
Ann Arbor SPARK expresses its gratitude to event sponsors Michigan Rise, ID Ventures, and the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund for their essential support in making Invest360 a success. The event is part of the larger a2Tech360 series, supported by the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Local Development Finance Authority, which showcases the region’s thriving tech ecosystem.For more information about a2Tech360 and upcoming events, visit https://a2tech360.com.
