Karrie Sullivan

Angel investing isn’t just about capital — it’s about community. Early-stage tech startups in Michigan need more than funding to grow. They need champions who believe in their ideas before they hit $1M in revenue. That’s where angel investors come in — and why this stage of funding is so critical to our state’s innovation economy. In a new piece by our VP of Capital Programs, Mike Flanagan, we explore: - What angel investing is (and why it matters) - How the Michigan Angel Fund is helping startups take root - When founders should seek angel vs. venture funding - Success stories like Genomenon, Inc, and SkySpecs - How you can get involved as an investor 👉 Read the article: https://lnkd.in/g2Msyrhc Thank you, Purpose Jobs, for helping us highlight this important part of Michigan’s startup ecosystem. #AngelInvesting #TechStartups #MichiganStartups #AnnArborTech #MichiganAngelFund

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We asked C-suite leaders: What skills will define success in the future? Their answers set the stage for 2026, and beyond. Here’s what they said and how you can strengthen them in your teams. https://krnfy.bz/4pBXYW1

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Another inspiring day at mHUB for Session 4 of the Chicago Innovation Fellows cohort—this time, focused on Taking New Ideas to Market. We kicked off with Professor Andrew Razeghi, who delivered powerful insights on The Future of Innovation and how to Create the Conditions for Success. A few key takeaways that really resonated with me: - “Innovation is no longer optional—it's essential for long-term survival and growth.” - “Don’t chase ideas—solve meaningful problems.” And how do you do that? By talking directly to your customers and truly understanding their needs. Next up was the ever-energetic and inspiring Kristi Ross, who shared practical strategies for driving innovation within organizations. Like Andrew, she emphasized the importance of two-way dialogue with customers and staying attuned to the pain points that matter. One of her standout messages: - “Opportunities are all around—you just need to pay attention and act.” She also reminded us that team matters—strong teams foster mutual support, resilience, and shared success. And a personal favorite: “Take Risks & Take Action.” We wrapped the day with an engaging panel featuring Holly Copeland, Hardik Bhatt, and Tim Sanders, who each shared their unique journeys and the decisions that shaped their careers. A recurring theme that stuck with me: - “Innovate in the white space—find the gaps, then solve for them with creativity and courage.” Huge thanks to all of our speakers and panelists for sharing their wisdom, and special appreciation to Tom Kuczmarski, Luke Tanen, and Finn Bauer for curating another meaningful session.

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Relcu, founded by Abhijat Thakur, has announced new funding with participation from Menlo Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners, Clocktower Ventures, MUFG Innovation Partners, Commerce Ventures, and Valley Ventures. Relcu is transforming financial services with its Unified CRM and AI Agent Co-Pilot, powering institutions like nbkc bank, Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, Beeline Loans, Academy Bank, and Cardinal Financial. With 5× YoY growth, Relcu unifies customer data, automates workflows, and delivers real-time AI-powered actions to boost conversion, retention, and cross-sell. https://lnkd.in/e4uqRrZR #AI #FinTech #CRM #FinancialServices #Automation #Funding Croom Beatty Neal Kapur Vivek Krishnamurthy Mayank Shiromani

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Johnnie Turnage, founder of Michigan Central partner Black Tech Saturdays, highlights Detroit’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in tech and strong partnerships in Startups Magazine. “Detroit is rapidly becoming the most successful tech hub, an ecosystem where a commitment to a diverse talent pool is recognized as the smartest path to sustainable growth. The secret sauce? Active allies and the power of partnership,” said Turnage. Michigan Central and organizations like BTS are partnering to ensure innovation is inclusive, providing crucial resources, networks, and capital to underrepresented entrepreneurs and founders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPhK2KQ2

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The Chicago CHRO Community recently gathered for a Town Hall, sharing their insights and experiences on HR transformation. The discussion centered around: ✅ Aligning HR strategies with the organization's digital objectives ✅ Fostering a digital-first culture that supports transformation goals ✅ Achieving quantifiable ROI from AI investments 💡Discover the four key takeaways from the discussion: https://lnkd.in/gU6cctqw #GartnerCHROCommunities #CHRO #DigitalTransformation #AI

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