Grand Angels

Akadeum Life Sciences develops bioseparation products that facilitate the removal of target cells from biological samples using microscopic micro-bubbles. Its products enable medical practitioners to efficiently perform downstream testing and analysis.

ONL Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that develops small‑molecule peptide therapeutics to protect photoreceptors and preserve vision. Its pipeline focuses on targeting the FAS apoptotic pathway to prevent photoreceptor loss in retinal diseases such as retinal detachment, aiming to improve surgical outcomes and reduce vision loss. Founded in 2006, the company seeks to bring novel treatments for serious, vision‑threatening retinal conditions.

Ripple Science develops web-based software for health sciences, facilitating participant recruitment and management in clinical, translational, and social science studies. Its platform offers features like study dashboard management, recruitment campaign tracking, potential participant monitoring, enrolled participant tracking, and task management. Serving academic investigators, clinical trial sites, and CROs, Ripple Science has clients including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Michigan.

KitoTech Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Seattle, Washington, specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative products for wound closure and care. Established in 2011, the company has introduced microMend, a proprietary wound closure device featuring tiny Microstaples on an adhesive backing, designed for ease of application similar to a bandage. microMend is painless to use and offers the holding strength of traditional sutures, making it suitable for closing surgical incisions and lacerations. Clinical studies indicate that microMend outperforms sutures in terms of clinical outcomes, including cosmetic results, and allows for quicker application by various medical personnel, resulting in considerable cost savings. The product is marketed across a range of surgical specialties, as well as in dermatology and emergency medicine, with additional opportunities in military applications. KitoTech Medical targets a potential market exceeding $600 million in the US and $2 billion worldwide.

Ocuphire Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for various ophthalmic disorders. Its lead product candidate, Nyxol eye drops, is a once-daily preservative-free formulation of phentolamine mesylate aimed at reducing pupil size for indications such as night vision disturbances, glaucoma, pharmacologically-induced mydriasis, and presbyopia.

Ambiq Micro, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company based in Austin, Texas, specializing in the development of ultra-low power integrated circuits tailored for power-sensitive applications. Founded in 2010, the company utilizes innovative subthreshold power optimized technology to create real-time clock and microcontroller products designed for wearables, smart cards, wireless sensors, and Internet-of-Things devices. By focusing on ultra-low-power mixed-signal solutions, Ambiq Micro aims to enhance the efficiency of wireless electronics, facilitating the creation of devices that either minimize or eliminate battery use while maximizing design flexibility. The company also provides technical support services and operates additional offices in San Jose, California, as well as in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Taiwan.

Micro-LAM Technologies is a specialty engineering company that designs and manufactures laser-assisted cutting tools and precision machining solutions for hard-to-machine materials. It offers the Micro-LAM Optimus T+1, a hybrid laser-diamond cutting tool system enabling ultra-precision machining of advanced ceramics, semiconductors, glass and metals. The company provides feasibility analysis, process development, system customization, and installation and ongoing support services to help customers optimize manufacturing setups, including laser wavelength and power, beam delivery, tool geometry, and mounting fixtures. Its services cover manufacturing setup evaluation, laser absorption testing, hardness reduction testing, and process parameter development, among others. Micro-LAM serves customers in optics, aerospace, defense and armor, semiconductor, and automotive sectors. Founded in 2012 and based in Michigan, the company focuses on enabling productivity and reliability in ultra-precision drilling and cutting of brittle and hard materials through its retrofittable laser-assisted technology.

HistoSonics develops a non-invasive tumor ablation system called Edison. This platform uses pulsed sound energy to destroy targeted tissues at the sub-cellular level without requiring incisions or needles.

Tetra Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing pharmaceutical drugs that target phosphodiesterase (PDE) subtype inhibitors for various neurological and non-neurological disorders. The company is advancing BPN14770, a novel therapeutic agent designed to enhance synaptic actions in the brain's neurons, which is particularly relevant for conditions affecting memory and cognition, such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and developmental disabilities. Tetra Therapeutics aims to create effective treatments for patients suffering from Alzheimer's, other dementias, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric disorders. Founded in 2011 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company was previously known as Tetra Discovery Partners and rebranded in August 2019. Tetra Therapeutics has established a strategic collaboration with Shionogi & Co., Ltd., and as of July 2020, operates as a subsidiary of Shionogi.

Tetra Discovery Partners provides consulting services in drug discovery and development. They partner with Universities to commercialize intellectual property and conduct proprietary research on diseases affecting the central nervous system. Their research focuses on developing new treatments for depression and schizophrenia. Severe forms of depression affect 2–5% of the US population, while mood disorders impact 7% of the world’s population and rank among the top ten causes of disability.

Reconstruct offers predictive computer vision data analytics software for construction projects. Its platform manages data collection from drones, fixed cameras, or mobile devices, visualizes images aligned with BIM models, and reports risk locations to enable proactive planning. Founded in 2016, Reconstruct is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

Blue Medora Inc. is a software solutions provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in enhancing the visibility of cloud system management and application performance management. Founded in 2007, the company develops a range of product extensions for major platforms such as VMware vRealize Operations, Oracle Enterprise Manager, and IBM Tivoli Monitoring. Its offerings include management solutions that integrate with various databases and applications, such as Oracle, SAP HANA, Microsoft SQL Server, and NetApp Storage. Blue Medora's solutions facilitate the monitoring and troubleshooting of IT environments, providing analytics and capacity planning capabilities. The company also addresses limitations in traditional IT monitoring through its BindPlane service, which connects performance data across diverse sources. Blue Medora distributes its products through resellers and has established strategic partnerships with VMware, Oracle, and IBM to enhance its service offerings.

Gemphire Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH). The company is known for its development of gemcabene, a novel oral medication aimed at lowering LDL cholesterol levels in patients who have not achieved their lipid-lowering goals, particularly those on maximally tolerated statin therapy. Gemphire has conducted multiple Phase IIb clinical trials for gemcabene, targeting conditions such as homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Gemphire Therapeutics is dedicated to addressing the needs of patients with cardiometabolic disorders. The company was acquired by NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals in a reverse merger transaction in December 2019.

HistoSonics develops a non-invasive tumor ablation system called Edison. This platform uses pulsed sound energy to destroy targeted tissues at the sub-cellular level without requiring incisions or needles.

Tetra Discovery Partners provides consulting services in drug discovery and development. They partner with Universities to commercialize intellectual property and conduct proprietary research on diseases affecting the central nervous system. Their research focuses on developing new treatments for depression and schizophrenia. Severe forms of depression affect 2–5% of the US population, while mood disorders impact 7% of the world’s population and rank among the top ten causes of disability.

Blue Medora Inc. is a software solutions provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in enhancing the visibility of cloud system management and application performance management. Founded in 2007, the company develops a range of product extensions for major platforms such as VMware vRealize Operations, Oracle Enterprise Manager, and IBM Tivoli Monitoring. Its offerings include management solutions that integrate with various databases and applications, such as Oracle, SAP HANA, Microsoft SQL Server, and NetApp Storage. Blue Medora's solutions facilitate the monitoring and troubleshooting of IT environments, providing analytics and capacity planning capabilities. The company also addresses limitations in traditional IT monitoring through its BindPlane service, which connects performance data across diverse sources. Blue Medora distributes its products through resellers and has established strategic partnerships with VMware, Oracle, and IBM to enhance its service offerings.

VNN, Inc. operates a prominent high school sports marketing and networking platform that serves as a digital hub for athletes, coaches, and fans. The platform enables athletes to upload videos, photos, stories, and scores, while allowing coaches to report game results to various media outlets. VNN is dedicated to enhancing the experience of high school sports by aggregating the fragmented market and providing advertising and promotional services. The company has established a significant presence, serving schools across multiple states, including Alabama, California, and Texas, and has gained a rapidly growing user base, with over 7 million fans engaging with the platform daily. Founded in 2010 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VNN aims to transform the consumer experience in high school sports by leveraging technology and connectivity.

Tetra Discovery Partners provides consulting services in drug discovery and development. They partner with Universities to commercialize intellectual property and conduct proprietary research on diseases affecting the central nervous system. Their research focuses on developing new treatments for depression and schizophrenia. Severe forms of depression affect 2–5% of the US population, while mood disorders impact 7% of the world’s population and rank among the top ten causes of disability.

Blue Medora Inc. is a software solutions provider based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in enhancing the visibility of cloud system management and application performance management. Founded in 2007, the company develops a range of product extensions for major platforms such as VMware vRealize Operations, Oracle Enterprise Manager, and IBM Tivoli Monitoring. Its offerings include management solutions that integrate with various databases and applications, such as Oracle, SAP HANA, Microsoft SQL Server, and NetApp Storage. Blue Medora's solutions facilitate the monitoring and troubleshooting of IT environments, providing analytics and capacity planning capabilities. The company also addresses limitations in traditional IT monitoring through its BindPlane service, which connects performance data across diverse sources. Blue Medora distributes its products through resellers and has established strategic partnerships with VMware, Oracle, and IBM to enhance its service offerings.

AzulStar, Inc. is a provider of 4G and 5G wireless broadband Internet and communications services, catering to commercial, government, and multi-tenant unit customers. Established in 2003 and based in Ada, Michigan, the company operates carrier-class networks primarily in Michigan and New Mexico. AzulStar specializes in delivering high-speed Internet access, managed wireless networking, and intelligent transportation services. With a focus on open standards wireless technology and an all IP wireless architecture, the company has achieved a reputation for exceptional broadband performance and reliability. AzulStar has been recognized for its innovation and service quality in the wireless broadband access market.

Tetra Discovery Partners provides consulting services in drug discovery and development. They partner with Universities to commercialize intellectual property and conduct proprietary research on diseases affecting the central nervous system. Their research focuses on developing new treatments for depression and schizophrenia. Severe forms of depression affect 2–5% of the US population, while mood disorders impact 7% of the world’s population and rank among the top ten causes of disability.

TransCorp Spine manufactures medical devices and procedures to restore spinal function and preserve healthy tissue. Its product includes SpinePort, a MIS access system. David Lowry, Des O'Farrell, and Scott Tuinstra founded TransCorp Spine in 2008. It has its headquarters in Byron Center in Michigan.

Janeeva is a provider of an outsourcing relationship management platform designed to streamline interactions between users and providers of outsourcing services. Its flagship product, Janeeva Assurance, serves as a comprehensive solution for governance activities related to outsourced operations. This platform enables governance groups, service providers, and internal customers to efficiently arrange additional resources, manage issues, track service level agreements, and compare performance across multiple providers. By fostering transparency and creating institutional memory, Janeeva Assurance enhances the efficiency of these interactions, builds trust, and reduces missed opportunities. Additionally, the extensive data gathered through the platform can be analyzed to uncover trends, identify process bottlenecks, and establish best practices, further optimizing outsourcing relationships.

Accuri Cytometers was founded to address a compelling need: life scientists love the rapid cell-by-cell analysis capability of flow cytometers, but too few have a flow cytometer in their lab. The barriers for most researchers include cost of the instrument, complexity of the software, effort required for maintenance, and the large amount of bench space required for the instrument. As a result, the company is looking to develop affordable and robust cytometers.