Fund Facts: Steve Haakenson, BRCC

On this episode of Fund Facts—a video series focused on venture capitalists, angel investors and other funders critical to Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—we sit down with Steve Haakenson, executive director of the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC).

Based in Kalamazoo, BRCC is an early-stage investment fund focusing on services, products and tools in the life sciences sector. BRCC invests in Michigan start-ups emerging from universities and the community in stages as early as prototyping for medical devices and discovery for therapeutics.

In this video, Steve sits down with the MEDC to discuss the importance of statewide partnerships and why Michigan is an excellent place for entrepreneurs to thrive:

• Statewide partnerships are key to BRCC’s success and the companies in which they invest. In addition to supporting companies through funding, BRCC works alongside the MEDC to help entrepreneurs network with key industry stakeholders. These connections help start-ups thrive by providing essential services like consulting, FDA approvals and access to a larger pool of funds.
• Michigan has a fast-growing economy with diverse industries. The unmatched potential for growth in areas like intellectual property and medical services attracts BRCC to investments in early-stage, Michigan-made life science companies. These companies also impact Michigan by drawing new and highly skilled talent, research and employment to the state.

If you’ve got a high-tech start-up idea you’d like to explore further and don’t know where to start, contact the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative at 888-522-0103 or visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship.

Contact Us

To contact a business development specialist, click here or call 1.888.522.0103.