About Northern Michigan Angels (NMA)

At Northern Michigan Angels, we are dedicated to fueling the growth of promising early-stage companies in Michigan and the Northern Michigan Region. While our primary focus remains on high-growth ventures, we have broadened our horizons to support initiatives that contribute significantly to the local economy, offering a win-win proposition for investors and our community.

Our Investment Criteria:

NMA is interested in early-stage companies that demonstrate the following characteristics:

1. Michigan-Based with National/International Potential: We prioritize companies with a Michigan base, especially those in Northern Michigan. However, we also welcome businesses with a connection to our state and an aspiration for national or international expansion.
2. Substantial Market Opportunity: We seek ventures with a compelling market opportunity, large enough to facilitate significant growth and market share capture.
3. Strategic Vision: Successful applicants will present a well-articulated strategy for market domination, coupled with innovative approaches to achieving their goals.
4. Barriers to Entry: NMA values proprietary technology, intellectual property, or other competitive advantages that create barriers to entry in the marketplace.
5. Experienced Management: We look for management teams with relevant experience and a proven track record in successfully leading startups. Openness to advice, coaching, and a willingness to listen are also crucial attributes we seek.
6. Exit Strategy: Companies must have a clear near-term (3-5 year) exit strategy for our investors’ benefit.
7. Rational Valuation: We assess each investment opportunity to ensure that the company’s valuation aligns with a rational risk/reward calculation for our investors.

Our Expanded Focus:

NMA recognizes the importance of supporting the Northern Michigan economy and will consider investments that directly contribute to our community’s growth, even if they offer a slightly lower return or a longer timeline to the return of and on our initial investment.

We are particularly interested in investment opportunities that:

• Strengthen the Local Economy: Ventures that have a direct and tangible impact on Northern Michigan’s economic development will be given careful consideration.
• Clear Risk/Reward Assessment: Investments should be underpinned by appropriate risk/reward factors, ensuring a balanced opportunity for both investors and the community.

Excluded Investment Opportunities:

Please note that NMA will not consider investments in the following:

• Lifestyle Businesses: Ventures such as restaurants, salons, tattoo parlors, boutique retail, personal services, and individual franchise businesses without scalable or exit opportunities.
• Traditional Loans: Opportunities that are better suited for commercial banks and do not align with our investment philosophy.
• Non-Structured Real Estate Deals: Real estate opportunities that do not conform to a structure with a defined ownership through an entity (fund, partnership).
• Traditional Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Hedge Funds: Investments not affiliated with or managed by NMA.
• Not-for-Profit Organizations: Projects and entities that do not have a for-profit orientation.

We are excited to continue our mission of supporting Michigan-based businesses and fostering economic growth in Northern Michigan. If your venture aligns with our criteria, we encourage you to reach out and explore potential investment opportunities with NMA. Together, we can create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region.

Please visit our Portfolio Page for a list of some of the companies that NMA has invested in to-date.