When creating programs for 21st century investments under this chapter, the fund shall create and operate the venture capital investment program. The fund board shall authorize investments that shall invest only in or alongside a qualified venture capital fund that invests primarily in early stage businesses. The venture capital investment program shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide that the return on investment that is sought is greater than the return on investment under the commercial loan portion of the loan enhancement program to reflect the greater risk.

(b) Provide that the qualified venture capital fund will have an amount at risk greater than the fund’s investment.

(c) Provide that a qualified venture capital fund is not eligible to participate in a venture capital investment program unless it operates a business development office in this state staffed with at least 1 full-time equivalent employee who is actively seeking opportunities for venture capital investments in businesses located in this state unless the investment opportunity requested by the qualified venture capital fund is targeted to a specific transaction involving a competitive edge technology that will not occur without the fund’s investment as determined by the fund board.

(d) Provide that a qualified venture capital fund is not eligible to participate in a venture capital investment program unless it agrees to make venture capital investments in this state at a percentage rate that is not less than the percentage rate that the fund’s investment in the qualified venture capital fund bears to the total amount in the qualified venture capital fund.

(e) Provide that a qualified venture capital fund is not eligible to participate in a venture capital investment program if its investment strategy provides for the breakup and liquidation of businesses. The fund board shall make sure that the agreements with a venture capital fund have the appropriate provisions to prohibit the actions described in this subdivision.

(f) Coordinate with the Michigan early stage venture investment fund as defined in section 3 of the Michigan early stage venture investment act of 2003, 2003 PA 296, MCL 125.2233, to ensure that a continuum of venture capital is available in this state.

(g) Provide that 80% of the funds allocated to a venture capital investment program shall focus on competitive edge technologies.

(h) Provide that a qualified venture capital fund may make follow-up investments that were eligible for investment at the time of initial investment but that subsequently may not be characterized as an investment in an early stage business.

History: Add. 2005, Act 225, Imd. Eff. Nov. 21, 2005

Popular Name: Strategic Fund