Grand Angels seal seventh deal

Accuri Instruments, a promising life sciences startup, is the latest firm to attract venture capital from the Grand Angels, West Michigan's private investment group. The Angels partnered with Ann Arbor-based Plymouth Venture Partners to invest in the promising medical device maker.

Accuri's C6 Flow Cytometer System represents a dramatic step forward in flow cytometry and cell analysis, according to Jody Vanderwel, president of Grand Angels. The device is used for clinical and research work such as blood tests.

What makes the company's cytometer unique is its affordability, according to a press release from Grand Angels. The system costs $25,000, whereas more conventional systems can cost up to five times more. The hope is to deliver the powerful research tool to a much wider audience of life scientists.

“We set out to develop a revolutionary approach designed to bring the powerful technology of flow cytometry to life sciences researchers everywhere, and we believe we have succeeded,” said Jennifer Baird, co-founder and CEO of Accuri. "We appreciate the support of Grand Angels and other regional institutions, which have been critical in our ability to develop this innovative technology from the ground up and in record time.”

Grand Angels, now in its third year of operation, that provides startup capital and mentoring to entrepreneurial businesses in the early stages of development. The group has invested more than $3 million in seven Michigan businesses to date.

Source: Grand Angels

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