Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2026 - Chris Rizik, Renaissance V.C. - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with Chris Rizik, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Chris Rizik, founder, managing partner, and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Venture Capital, joined host Chris Holman at the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss his organization's work attracting venture capital investment to Michigan startups. Renaissance operates as a fund of funds, investing in VC firms nationally on the condition that they seek out Michigan companies, and has helped attract roughly $3.5 billion in startup investment since its founding 17 years ago — with annual venture investment in Michigan growing from $150–200 million to an expected $2 billion this year. Rizik announced that this year's UnDemo Day, the organization's signature startup-VC matchmaking event, will be held October 1st at Detroit's Hudson's Building and will for the first time include the National Venture Capital Association's emerging manager office hours, bringing a major national VC event to Detroit. He also discussed the newly formed Michigan Innovation Alliance, a broad coalition of universities, businesses, government, and capital community leaders working to develop unified innovation policy recommendations for the state ahead of the next gubernatorial election. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/