Layer 8 — Relationship graph

Relationship Graph

The relationship graph converts cold targets into warm deal opportunities. Pathways run through portfolio founders, CUSO/customer bridges, co-investor syndicates, and industry or regulatory associations. Treat each pathway as an operating hypothesis to test and document.

Priority traversal paths

Grand Ventures
Fintech GP / relevant partner
CXO→InvestNext, Digit, or other portfolio founder; local founder network→Grand Ventures
Action — Schedule technical platform walk-through.
Reseda Group
Digital / CTO leadership
CXO→MSUFCU innovation or digital strategy team→Reseda Group
Action — Finalize pilot parameters and CUSO value narrative.
TruStage Ventures
Discovery fund / fintech investor
CXO→Reseda Group leadership or Filene Research Institute→TruStage Ventures
Action — Submit strategic investor deck via warm credit-union referral.
Drive Capital
Regional lead investor
CXO→Grand Ventures or Assembly co-investor path→Drive Capital
Action — Request lead-investor intro after Ring 0 validation.
Canapi Ventures
Bank-backed fintech specialist
CXO→NC CFO, Live Oak/UNCW/Duke banking network→Canapi Ventures
Action — Route through finance authority after NC CFO scope is defined.

Introduction paths by target

Target	Bridge nodes	State
Grand Ventures	Local founder referrals, Start Garden / The Right Place, Grand Rapids tech events, portfolio founder route.	Mapped
Michigan Capital Network / Grand Angels	Grand Angels monthly process, MCN chapter introductions, local executives, The Right Place.	Mapped
UFP Ventures	Local corporate executive channels, Grand Rapids business networks, industry events.	Research
Wakestream Ventures	SBDC, entrepreneurial networks, local founder intros.	Research
The Right Place	Direct ED inquiry, chamber/tech ecosystem, local advisors.	Research
Start Garden	Application/program route; direct startup ecosystem participation.	Research
Conquer Accelerator	Program nomination or application; MSU ecosystem path.	Research
New Community Transformation Fund	Right Place, local civic leadership, founder community.	Research
Corewell Health Ventures	Hospital innovation office, local executive network.	Research
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)	The Right Place, MSU Research Foundation, Michigan Rise.	Research
Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund	MSU tech transfer and healthcare innovation network.	Research
Michigan Rise Fund	MSU Research Foundation, MEDC, Conquer.	Research
Red Cedar Ventures	Conquer / MSU Tech Transfer / Michigan Rise.	Mapped
KzFV VC Fund	WMed, Kalamazoo tech center, regional founders.	Research
WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center	WMU and Kalamazoo ecosystem.	Research
Arboretum Ventures	Ann Arbor tech ecosystem, healthcare founders.	Research
Augment Ventures	Michigan matchmaking networks, Ann Arbor founder route.	Research
EDF Ventures	Ann Arbor angel groups and startup events.	Research
eLab Ventures	Ann Arbor tech events, portfolio founder, U-M network.	Research
Straylight Capital	Invest Detroit / Ann Arbor ecosystem.	Research
Tappan Hill Ventures	Portfolio companies and Ann Arbor founders.	Research
Bank of Ann Arbor startup fund / CVC reference	Local fintech incubators and bank network.	Research
SensCy	Ann Arbor cyber consortium.	Research
Renaissance Venture Capital	U-M tech transfer and Michigan VC network.	Research

Coded pass reasons and re-entry milestones

Code	Meaning	Re-entry trigger
Stage	Investor does not write checks at current stage.	Named pilot, seed-ready metrics, Series A preparation.
Check size	Check role too small or too large.	Syndicate structure or round-size change.
Thesis	Investor does not yet see market fit.	New vertical proof or category reframing.
Traction	Insufficient validation.	Signed pilot, revenue, evidence packet, customer pull.
Team	Needs CFO, CTO, counsel, or operating capacity.	NC CFO onboarded or CXO process verified.
Technical risk	Needs technical diligence comfort.	Verifier parity, demo, third-party review.
Regulatory risk	Needs compliance confidence.	Counsel memo, risk pack, customer validation.
Timing	Fund cycle or partner bandwidth issue.	Specific date or fund close milestone.