News

NEF receives Congressional Record Statement in honor of its 40 years of service and contributions to the Entrepreneurial community.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of New Enterprise Forum, we take a look at the Past, Present and Future of NEF with notable guest speakers Tom Porter, founder of NEF; Bill Mayer, SVP of Entrepreneur Services at Ann Arbor SPARK; Ana Timoficiuc, Founder & CEO of MinaRosa; and Patty Glaza, EVP & Managing Director of ID Ventures.

Gary Hessenaur is presented with a Lifetime Service Award in appreciation of his valued and significant long-term contributions to the New Enterprise Forum and to the Michigan entrepreneurial and small business community. Ray Waters, President of Detroit Development Fund, joins us to help present the award to Gary.

This 45-minute expert panel brings together founders, and program operators to unpack the real distinctions between accelerators. Learn how selection criteria, funding models, and mentorship intensity vary across programs - and what that means for founders seeking the right fit. 

The discussion flows from foundational definitions to in-depth comparisons of structure, outcomes, and long-term impact. Attendees will gain practical guidance on choosing the right accelerator, hear success and cautionary stories, and explore how accelerators are evolving with trends like remote work and new financing models. 

Starting a new venture is exhilarating, but beneath the excitement lies a crucial decision that can make or break your startup: choosing your co-founders. It’s often likened to a marriage, and for good reason – you’ll be spending countless hours, navigating intense challenges, and making pivotal decisions together.

Join us for an insightful panel discussion where we’ll delve deep into this critical early step in startup formation.

Representation is just the beginning! Our panel discussion will explore how businesses can move from symbolic diversity to meaningful inclusion where diverse voices influence outcomes, drive strategy, and lead with impact. Understanding the real value of diversity isn’t just ethical - it’s profitable. Gain insights into how empowering underrepresented groups leads to higher engagement, stronger teams, and better returns – our panelists will discuss practical strategies for building inclusive, future-ready organizations that attract top talent, reduce risk, and maximize innovation.

Join us for an in-depth look at Michigan’s Startup Scene: Past, Present, and Future, where we’ll explore the transformation of the state’s entrepreneurial landscape - from a region once plagued by “brain drain” to a thriving hub of innovation and growth. Pete Martin will unpack why it’s historically been harder for Midwest founders, how that tide is turning thanks to Michigan grit, SmartZones, and state-backed funding, and why investors are starting to recognize the Midwest as a smarter bet. 

Pete Martin is the Director of Portfolio Management at the MSU Research Foundation, where he oversees a portfolio of over 200

NEF is happy to present an engaging fireside chat featuring Doron York from Birmingham Angels and Jeff Ponders II from ID Ventures as they discuss what it takes for early-stage startups to be truly investment-ready.

This fireside chat delivers key lessons for founders on fundraising, investor relations, and startup success. Learn how to validate your idea, stand out in a competitive market, and choose the right investors. Discover why conviction, execution, and transparency matter - and how smart fundraising can fuel long-term growth.

At our March 2025 event, we honored Alexa and Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founders of Black Tech Saturdays, with the 2024 NEF Community Champion Award for their transformative impact on the startup ecosystem. BTS has grown from a single event into a nationwide movement, empowering Black, Brown, and underestimated founders while driving over $30 million in economic impact. Recognized by the Governor, the Mayor of Detroit, and industry leaders, Alexa and Johnnie are reshaping Michigan’s innovation economy.

Watch the interview with Tim

As a startup founder, how do you master the balancing act between retaining control of your company versus raising the needed capital to allow your company to grow? As startups scale, every leadership transition impacts the company culture and how decisions are made. During this dynamic panel discussion, we’ll hear firsthand from two Founder/CEOs who have navigated the trade-off of the Founder’s Dilemma: to be rich or to be king. We’ll also get the perspectives of two investors who will assess founder fit and alignment, and a non-founder CEO who has navigated a leadership transition to drive growth while honoring the founder’s original vision.

Join us for this expert panel discussion as we unpack the high-stakes choices that shape the growth trajectory of new

Electric Outdoors shares its progress and news since being the Showcase Presenter at NEF’s October 2023 meeting.

A strong team is the key to any successful business, and start-ups are no exception. A strong team is equipped to lead, learn, pivot, listen, and make tough decisions that drive a business forward, regardless of the business offering. So how do you ensure you build a strong team as a start-up? How do you know when you need a new person on your team? Or a new advisor? And how do you do it right?

 Join us for this expert panel discussion for insights on when to hire, how to hire, who you’re looking for, and what things to avoid as you look to grow your team! Hosted by Jen Laidlaw, owner of TeamWerks Talent Development and

Angel investors look at dozens of deals every year and only invest in a few. This panel explores the investors’ perspective and successful strategies that have worked for startups that have gotten deals done. Hear how these angel investors are building their portfolios and what it takes to become one of their investments. Diane Durance, a leading expert in Michigan’s startup community, is the moderator.

As a startup company evolves from its first customers, to its first hundreds of customers, to having customers at scale, its marketing needs and wants also change. This panel explores the different objectives and tactics for those various stages of growth. April Christian-Davis, President of Breakout Marketing Group, is the moderator.

At our February 15, 2024 New Enterprise Forum event, we recognized and celebrated the accomplishments of three entrepreneurs who are propelling the entire startup ecosystem forward in a way where we all prosper from what they are doing. Enjoy their comments as they accepted their awards.

NEF Startup Community Champion: Dug Song

NEF Rising Star of the Year: Darren Riley

NEF Entrepreneur of the Year: Edwin Olson

Foreign entrepreneurs are an untapped resource that can help grow our startup ecosystems. However, the barrier to entry is higher given the unique challenges foreign entrepreneurs face not only when they pursue building a startup from scratch but also when established startups want to recruit them. This panel will shed light on some of those challenges, resources available and success stories.

Moderator: Soosmita Sinha

Experts: Ernestine Lyons,

Moderator: Stefan Sysko

Experts: Alison Accavitti, Jen Baird, and Lindsey Kilbride

Whether you are pitching to investors, recruiting potential partners or employees, or introducing your startup to potential customers, how you present your message can have a huge difference on your success.

 In this brief talk, you’ll discover tips and tricks that will help you present with confidence including the keys to powerful posture, making consistent eye contact, gesturing intentionally to bring your pitch to life and communicating confidence with your voice. 

Practicing good presentation delivery skills will help you connect with your audience and turn a positive first impression into opportunities. Join us for 20 minutes of valuable input you can use to immediately up your presentation game and take your entrepreneurial journey to the next