Grand Angels

Founded in 2004 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Grand Angels is an angel investment group that focuses on early-stage companies primarily in the business-to-business technology, advanced manufacturing, advanced agriculture technology, and life sciences sectors. The firm manages multiple venture capital funds, including Grand Angels Venture Fund II and Fund III, targeting investments ranging from $250,000 to $1 million across a variety of industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, software, and consumer goods. Grand Angels emphasizes a supportive approach to investing, providing mentorship alongside capital and allowing for a more patient exit strategy compared to traditional investors. Since its inception, Grand Angels has invested over $8 million, with a particular focus on businesses located in Michigan, especially in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties.

Robert Lynn Herr

Director

Michael Jandernoa

Co-Founder & Board Member

Past deals in Michigan

Akadeum Life Sciences

Series B in 2021
Akadeum Life Sciences is working on the problem of isolating mammalian and bacterial cells from complex mixtures. It creates the simplest bioseparation products and fundamentally change the way that isolating cells and other biological targets approached. The company currently uses microbubbles for applications in cell separation and other related areas. Akadeum Life Sciences was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.

ONL Therapeutics

Series B in 2020
ONL Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to protecting vision through the protection of photoreceptors. The current market for retinal drugs is greater than $7 billion and rapidly growing. Existing therapies have significant limitations and none address the initial neural component of vision loss - the death of the photoreceptor cell.

Ripple Science

Seed Round in 2020
Ripple Science Corporation develops a web-based software for health sciences that facilitates the recruitment and management of participants in clinical, translational, and social science studies. The company’s software is used for study dashboard, recruitment campaign management, potential participant tracking, enrolled participant tracking, and task management. It offers solutions for academic investigators, clinical trial sites, and CROs. Ripple Science Corporation was founded in 2016 and is based in is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ocuphire Pharma

Seed Round in 2019
Ocuphire Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of therapies to treat patients with a variety of ophthalmic disorders. We are currently focused on providing a novel once-daily eye drop treatment option, Nyxol®, to treat multiple front-of-the-eye disorders, including night vision disturbances, glaucoma, pharmacologically-induced mydriasis, and presbyopia. Nyxol eye drops are an investigational 505(b)(2) drug candidate in late-stage clinical development with over a decade of safety and efficacy data from Phase 1 and 2 trials. Part of our strategy is to explore opportunities to acquire additional ophthalmic assets for both the front and the back of the eyes, and to seek strategic partners for global commercialization.

Micro-LAM, Inc.

Angel Round in 2017
Micro-LAM, Inc. specializes in the manufacture of precision laser-focused cutting tools, notably the Micro-LAM Optimus T+1, a hybrid laser-diamond cutting system designed for ultra-precision machining of advanced engineered ceramics, semiconductors, glass, and metals. The company provides a range of services, including feasibility analysis, process development, system customization, and installation support, ensuring comprehensive solutions for its clients. Micro-LAM's technology is particularly beneficial for industries such as optics, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and automotive, enabling efficient machining of hard and brittle materials. Founded in 2012, Micro-LAM is based in Portage, Michigan, and has evolved from its original name, Micro-Laser Assisted Machining Technologies.

Tetra Discovery

Series A in 2016
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.

Tetra Therapeutics

Series A in 2016
Tetra Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of therapeutic products that will bring clarity of thought to people suffering from Fragile X syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, and other brain disorders.

Blue Medora

Series B in 2016
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

Gemphire Therapeutics

Debt Financing in 2016
Gemphire Therapeutics manufactures and markets Gemcabene, an LDL cholesterol-lowering medication. It is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is committed to helping patients with cardiometabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia and NASH. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Northville, Michigan.

Tetra Discovery

Seed Round in 2015
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

Series A in 2015
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

VNN

Series A in 2014
VNN, Inc. operates a high school sports marketing and networking platform that enables athletes to share videos, pictures, stories, and scores while allowing coaches to report game results to media outlets. Founded in 2010 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company serves schools across numerous states, including Alabama, California, and Texas. VNN is recognized as the largest and fastest-growing platform of its kind in the United States, catering to a community of over 7 million fans and adding approximately 8,000 fans daily. The platform aggregates the fragmented high school sports market, enhancing the consumer experience by providing digital and Internet advertising and promotional services.

Tetra Discovery

Seed Round in 2013
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

Seed Round in 2013
Blue Medora is pioneering total IT system insight without plugins. Its software easily connects system health and performance data--no matter its source--with the world’s leading monitoring and analytics platforms, breaking barriers to today’s IT challenges. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich, Blue Medora helps more than 350 customers to unlock Dimensional Data across their IT stack.

AzulStar

Venture Round in 2011
AzulStar, Inc. is a provider of 4G and 5G wireless broadband Internet and communications services, catering to commercial, government, and multi-tenant unit clients. Established in 2003 and based in Ada, Michigan, the company operates carrier-class networks in key markets in Michigan and New Mexico. AzulStar offers a range of services, including high-speed Internet access, managed wireless networking, and intelligent transportation solutions. The company utilizes open standards wireless technology and an all-IP wireless architecture to ensure high performance and reliability in its broadband offerings. AzulStar has received recognition for its innovative approaches and commitment to service quality in the wireless broadband access sector.

Tetra Discovery

Seed Round in 2011
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

Series A in 2011
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

Venture Round in 2007
Janeeva provides the most comprehensive set of software to both users and providers of outsourcing services for Outsourcing Relationship Management (ORM). The Janeeva Assurance family of products provides a one-stop shop for governance activities of outsourced operations. With Janeeva Assurance, governance groups, providers and internal customers know exactly where to go to arrange for additional resources, raise or manage an issue, track SLAs, or compare performance across multiple providers. The transparency that can be achieved with Janeeva Assurance and the institutional memory it creates, increases efficiency of interactions, promotes trust and minimizes missed opportunities. And the wealth of data collected by Janeeva Assurance can be mined to identify trends, process bottlenecks and best practices.

Accuri Cytometers

Series A in 2005
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.