Committees

The MVCA Board is currently organized into four committees, each created to address the organization’s strategic goals in creating a vibrant venture capital community in Michigan:

Legislative

Chair:  Mahendra Ramsinghani, Invest Detroit, First Step Fund

The MVCA with the help of the committee works to educate the State’s leaders about the vital importance of venture capital in Michigan. In recent years, our legislative work has included the creation of the Venture Michigan Fund advocating for angel and venture capital investor tax credits, and educating our national legislators about the negative impact of taxing carried interest as ordinary income and changing the criteria to qualify as high net worth individual.

Capital

Chair:  Raj Kothari, Seneca Partners

The MVCA Capital Committee works to connect sources of capital to Michigan-based venture capital firms. Education of local and national sources of capital is a key focus of this committee over the near term. The MVCA on behalf of its members reaches out to inform and educate Limited Partners about the Michigan venture capital community and its surrounding infrastructure as an extraordinary investment opportunity.

Talent

Chair:  Don Walker, Arbor Partners

The MVCA Talent Committee helps to attract and retain entrepreneurial executive talent in Michigan which is very vital to help start-ups succeed. As a part of this committee’s effort, the MVCA has successfully designed and implemented the EIR/CEO Placement Program, resulting in the creation and growth of nine venture-backed companies in Michigan.  The committee also seeks ways to bring together Michigan's venture professionals and the executives leading their portfolio companies by creating networking opportunities.

Research

Chair:  Josh Beebe, MK Capital

The MVCA Research Committee provides the vision and guidance on all research-related activities the organization conducts.  This committee conceptualized the creation of the successful MVCA Annual Research Report, which continues to educate a large number of venture capital industry participants.