The spotlight was on Michigan’s next generation of innovators at today’s Invest360 Investor Showcase, where high-growth startups competed for a total of $200,000 in investments. The annual event, held at the University of Michigan Golf Course Clubhouse as part of a2Tech360, awarded $50,000 to winners in life sciences, mobility, and information technology, along with a People’s Choice Award.
This year’s winners are:
- Mobility + People’s Choice Award: Modal Motors – $100,000
- Life Sciences: BedConnect – $50,000
- Information Technology: Gildform – $50,000
Strong Competition Across Three Tracks
Fourteen startups pitched to investors and community leaders across three industry categories:
- Life Sciences: Ark Health, BedConnect, Crank Bio, Culturewell, M3D
- Mobility: Khenda, Marel Power, Modal Motors, Neumo, OneSix Energy
- Information Technology: Adrenaline Interactive, APT Solar Solutions, Gildform, SignetRisk
The showcase gave founders the opportunity to present innovative solutions ranging from healthcare platforms to advanced mobility technologies and creative IT applications.
A Day of Innovation and Insight
The program featured a keynote by Lisa McLaughlin, founder of Workit Health, who shared lessons from scaling a mission-driven company, and a panel of Midwest venture capital leaders discussing opportunities and challenges unique to the region. Networking sessions throughout the day connected investors, entrepreneurs, and partners.
“Early-stage companies in Michigan face a well-known challenge: access to the right kind of capital at the right time,” said Mike Flanagan, vice president of capital programs at Ann Arbor SPARK. “Invest360 helps bridge that gap by not only putting dollars directly into founders’ hands, but also by showcasing to other potential investors the talent, innovation, and investable opportunities that exist here. Events like this send a clear signal that Michigan’s startup ecosystem is maturing — and that we have the ambition and capacity to compete with other leading regions.”
Strengthening Michigan’s Startup Ecosystem
Invest360 is part of Ann Arbor SPARK’s broader mission to expand access to capital. Through initiatives like SPARK Capital—a nonprofit venture fund investing in early-stage, high-growth companies—SPARK has supported hundreds of startups with both funding and mentorship.
The event also underscored Ann Arbor’s rising prominence as a startup hub. Recently ranked as the fifth most significant innovation ecosystem in the Midwest, the region is #1 in startup density, #2 in momentum, and #3 in patents issued, outperforming many larger cities and cementing its role as a tech leader in Michigan and beyond.
Event Sponsors
Invest360 was made possible through the generous support of ID Ventures, Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, and MRPR CPAs & Advisors.
