Venture Michigan Fund II sinks cash into Ann Arbor's MK Capital

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 | Source: Concentrate

The Venture Michigan Fund II, a fund of venture capital funds, has made its first investment, infusing an undisclosed amount of capital into MK Capital.

MK Capital is a Chicago-based firm with offices in Los Angeles and Ann Arbor. It specializes in start-ups in the digital media, software, and education industries. The firm plans to invest in Michigan-based companies.

"We have already made six investments in the fund," says Mark Koulogeorge, managing partner with MK Capital. "One of them, Outside Hub Media, is based in Southfield. We're looking at more opportunities as we speak."

The $120 million Venture Michigan Fund II is supported by a bank loan. If the return on investment for Venture Michigan Fund II is not adequate to pay the principal and interest on the bank loan, then the bank can sell state of Michigan tax vouchers that can be used to satisfy a Michigan tax liability. The fund's focus is on venture capital firms targeting Michigan companies seeking seed and early-stage capital. Those start-ups are in the advanced manufacturing, health care, life sciences, IT, alternative energy, homeland security, and defense sectors.

MK Capital is raising a fund worth in excess of $100 million. Koulogeorge expects it will make 13-15 investments in the digital media and software sectors, mostly in the Midwest.

Source: Mark Koulogeorge, managing partner with MK Capital
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.