The recent Invest360 event, conducted at the University of Michigan Golf Course Clubhouse in Ann Arbor, celebrated some of southeast Michigan’s most innovative early-stage companies.
Invest360 is a key event within the a2Tech360 series, which brings together southeast Michigan’s most promising startups, investors, and tech leaders. The 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.
For the 2024 Invest360 event, 15 startups competed for a share of $200,000 in investment funds across the technology, health care, and mobility sectors. The gathering, held on Sept. 20, highlighted the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Culturebie claimed top honors in the technology sector with its enterprise software aimed at enhancing company culture and employee engagement.
In the health care sector, Decimal Code led the way by showing its automated medical coding platform, which increases revenue and reduces costs for health care providers.
Electric Outdoors, in turn, was No. 1 in the mobility sector with its solar-powered, off-grid camping platform that enables landowners to unlock new land and destinations while generating new revenue streams.
Invest360 reports this year’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, chairman and CEO of Immusoft Corp., who shared his startup journey, including with RetroSense Therapeutics, and provided valuable insights into navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.
Attendees also saw the Entrepreneur Exit Panel Session, moderated by Ben Marchionna, chief innovation ecosystem officer of Michigan Economic Development Corp. Panelists included 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 “People’s Choice” vote awarded an additional $50,000 to Decimal Code.
“Invest360 continues to demonstrate southeast Michigan’s position as a leading hub for innovation,” says 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.”
Event sponsors of Invest 360 included Michigan Rise, ID Ventures, and the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund. 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 a2tech360.com.
Ann Arbor SPARK is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the economy of the Ann Arbor region, making it a desired place for innovation, business growth, and talented individuals to live and work.
For more information, call 734-761-9317 or visit AnnArborUSA.org.
