Layer 1 — Concentric geography

Ring Geography

Rings describe relationship mechanics, not a rigid order. The CXO may run all Michigan rings concurrently, but the default allocation should produce greater relationship depth in Rings 0 through 2 unless facts justify a different emphasis.

Ring 0 · Downtown Grand Rapids

9 targets

Distance

0–5 mi

Cadence

Weekly local presence, walkable meetings, frequent informal touchpoints.

Purpose

Local legitimacy, angels, lead candidates, connectors.

Grand Ventures Michigan Capital Network / Grand Angels UFP Ventures Wakestream Ventures The Right Place Start Garden Conquer Accelerator New Community Transformation Fund Corewell Health Ventures

Ring 1 · Greater Grand Rapids

0 targets

Distance

5–20 mi

Cadence

Biweekly coffee or office meetings.

Purpose

Executive and private-wealth relationships.

Ring 2 · West Michigan corridor

6 targets

Distance

20–60 mi

Cadence

Monthly travel day and on-site briefings.

Purpose

Family offices, corporate HQs, regional strategic capital.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)Henry Ford Health + MSU Innovation Fund Michigan Rise Fund Red Cedar Ventures KzFV VC Fund WMU Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center

Ring 3 · Southwest / Mid-Michigan

0 targets

Distance

60–120 mi

Cadence

Planned day trips and monthly institutional briefings.

Purpose

MSU, MEDC, CUSO, university and regional syndication.

Ring 4 · Ann Arbor corridor

9 targets

Distance

120–170 mi

Cadence

Batched institutional meetings and milestone-driven cadence.

Purpose

Dense institutional VC and commercialization ecosystem.

Arboretum Ventures Augment Ventures EDF Ventures eLab Ventures Straylight Capital Tappan Hill Ventures Bank of Ann Arbor startup fund / CVC reference SensCy Renaissance Venture Capital

Ring 5 · Metro Detroit

8 targets

Distance

150–190 mi

Cadence

Batched trips and structured partner-level outreach.

Purpose

Statewide corporate and institutional capital pool.

ID Ventures / Invest Detroit Ventures Detroit Venture Partners Fontinalis Partners Side Door Ventures Michigan Fund WAVE Ventures Union Heritage Venture Capital Beringea Assembly Ventures

Ring 6 · Midwest hubs

3 targets

Distance

Regional

Cadence

Introductions after Michigan validation; virtual-first, trip-second.

Purpose

Lead seed and Series A capacity.

Drive Capital High Alpha TruStage Ventures / CMFG Ventures

Ring 7 · National specialists

4 targets

Distance

National

Cadence

Evidence-led, highly targeted outreach.

Purpose

Specialist fintech capital and national distribution.

Canapi Ventures Nyca Partners Commerce Ventures Oak HC/FT

Eight-layer target architecture

Layer	Dimension	Purpose	Output
1	Concentric Geographic Rings	Establish relational cadence and travel velocity based on distance from downtown Grand Rapids.	Ring assignment, meeting cadence, travel format, relationship-depth target.
2	Capital Structure Type	Differentiate fund incentives, corporate mandates, angel syndication, and strategic balance-sheet deployment.	Capital type, check role, expected return logic, likely diligence style.
3	Warmth Mechanics	Track the deal pipeline state for every target.	Relationship state, intro path, bridge node, next action.
4	Quantitative Vertical Fit	Evaluate thematic alignment across the core market attributes.	35-point vertical-fit score and pass/advance decision.
5	Stage Gate	Filter funds by actual check-writing capability across pre-seed, seed, Series A, and growth stages.	Current-stage eligibility and re-entry milestone.
6	Typical Check Sizing	Map capital deployment capacity from micro-angels to lead institutional funds.	Syndicate role: lead, anchor, participant, extension, or future round.
7	Bankabil Fit Score	Measure non-capital value: bank customers, insurance access, regulatory credibility, technical expertise, and distribution.	0–100 Bankabil strategic-fit score.
8	Relationship Graph	Map multi-hop pathways to convert cold targets into warm opportunities.	Named bridge, request package, referral rationale, and state transition.