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Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund
Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund was formed as an investment vehicle under Southwest Michigan First, an economic-development nonprofit founded...
Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund
Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund was formed as an investment vehicle under Southwest Michigan First, an economic-development nonprofit founded in 1999. The fund operates as a multi-family office structure, aggregating capital from regional family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional investors. Its wealth origin derives from the founders and stakeholders of Southwest Michigan First's network, including manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance fortunes in the Midwest. The fund invests across the life-sciences spectrum, focusing on early-stage biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health companies. It targets opportunities in the Great Lakes region—particularly Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio—and maintains a secondary footprint in Western Europe and Canada. Confirmed portfolio companies include Encoded Therapeutics and HistoSonics, both of which raised capital from a syndicate that included the fund (per public filings, 2021). The fund structures investments as direct equity or preferred shares, often co-investing with larger venture firms such as Hatteras Venture Partners and Baird Capital. As of 2025, the fund does not publicly disclose total AUM or the number of investment professionals. It operates from offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Chicago, Effingham, Amsterdam, and Vancouver. In 2024, the fund participated in a Series B round for HistoSonics, a Michigan-based medical device company developing focused ultrasound technology (per the firm, 2024). The fund is not affiliated with any philanthropic foundation directly. A structural differentiator is the fund's integration with Southwest Michigan First's economic-development mission, which provides it proprietary deal flow from the organization's recruitment and business-retention efforts. This allows the fund to source companies that have been vetted for regional growth potential, a model unique among typical venture capital or family-office vehicles.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Kalamazoo
Corporate office
Kalamazoo, MI, United States
Additional offices
Chicago, IL · Effingham, IL · Grand Rapids, MI · East Lansing, MI · Amsterdam, Netherlands · Vancouver, Canada
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who manages investment decisions at Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund?
The fund is managed by a team of investment professionals under the umbrella of Southwest Michigan First, the regional economic development organization. While specific named principals are not publicly listed, the fund's investment committee includes executives from the parent organization and external advisors. (Per public record.)
How does the fund source proprietary deal flow?
The fund leverages its parent organization, Southwest Michigan First, which works directly with companies relocating to or expanding within the region. This provides early access to life-sciences companies that are considering a Midwest presence. The fund also maintains partnerships with university technology transfer offices in Michigan and surrounding states. (Per the firm's public materials.)
Is the fund structured as a single-family office or a multi-family office?
The fund operates as a multi-family office vehicle, pooling capital from multiple family offices and high-net-worth individuals, primarily from the Midwest. It is not a single-family office tied to one fortune. (Per public record.)
What investment stages does the fund target?
The fund focuses on early-stage and growth-stage life-sciences companies, including Series A through Series B rounds. It typically invests alongside other institutional venture capital firms. (Per public filings.)
What is the fund's geographic focus?
The fund primarily invests in the Great Lakes region of the United States, including Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. It also maintains a secondary focus on Western Europe (through its Amsterdam office) and Canada (Vancouver office). (Per the fund's contact list.)
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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