The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) is the premier event where financiers meet the 'Best of the Midwest' in new businesses and emerging technologies. As one of the longest running programs of its kind, this year's symposium is expected to bring together 400 attendees including investors from across the country, executives of early stage and emerging growth companies, and related stakeholders. MGCS 2009 will be held at the Marriott Resort in Ypsilanti and will mark the symposium's 28th anniversary. The event is presented by the Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with support from the Michigan Venture Capital Association and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

MGCS 2009 will feature:

• Keynote Speakers: Fred Craves of Bay City Capital & Jonathan Seelig of Globespan Capital Partners
• Exclusive Networking Dinner at U-M Museum of Art featuring Coach Lloyd Carr, University of Michigan
• 65+ Investment Firms Represented
• 32 Top Midwestern Companies Seeking Funding
• 35 Premier Panelists
• 7 World Class Panel Discussions
• 2 Days of High Level Networking

Registered regional and coastal leaders from the investment community include: Amherst Fund LLC, Apex Venture Partners, Apjohn Ventures, Arboretum Ventures, Augment Capital, Azimuth Capital Management LLC, Baird Venture Partners, Bank of Ann Arbor, Bay City Capital, Beringea, LLC, BioStar Ventures, Blue Chip Venture Company, Boston Financial and Equity Group, Boston Millennia Partners, Chrysalis Ventures LLC, Cornerstone Angels, Credit Suisse, DFJ Mercury, DTE Energy Ventures, Early Stage Partners, Ener Tech Capital, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, Fletcher Spaght Ventures, Globespan Capital Partners, Growth Fund Associates, Heron Capital, IllinoisVentures, Independence Equity, Investor Growth Capital, JLA Ventures, Lumira Capital, Midwest Venture Partners, Nth Power, New World Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners, Ohio Capital Fund, Phenomenelle Angels Fund, Plymouth Capital Management, Regional Growth Partnership, Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, River Cities Capital Funds, Rocket Ventures / RGP, RPM Ventures, Seneca Partners, Silicon Valley Bank, State of Michigan Retirement System, Steamboat Ventures, TD Capital, TGap Ventures, TKM Venture Partners, Triathlon Medical Ventures, Venture Investors LLC, Vicente Capital Partners, ZBI Ventures, and more...

A carefully screened group of 32 companies, representing industries ranging from information technology, life sciences, and alternative energy, will present for an audience of venture capitalists, angel investors and institutional investors. These companies represent high potential deals in the Midwest and are seeking their initial investment, a first institutional investment or expansion financing. This is a tremendous opportunity for startups to meet, network and showcase their innovative investment opportunities to a leading group of investors. Year after year, this is the conference where deals get done!