ACE’15 expects standing-room-only for entrepreneur exhibits and seeks entries for the ACE challenge

December 10, 2014

Exhibitors and ACE Challenge winners receive awards, recognition and high-profile exposure to Michigan’s entrepreneurial community

ANN ARBOR, MI December 9, 2014 – The Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurs (ACE) event is Michigan’s premier business showcase for launching entrepreneurs and introducing Michigan business startups and exhibitors to the growing Michigan entrepreneurial community. ACE’15 will be held Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Burton Manor in Livonia. More than 900 attendees are expected and a record-breaking number of startup entrepreneurs will be exhibiting their products and services. Ten new ventures will be introduced on stage as part of the ACE Challenge. ACE’15 will kick off with the opening of the exhibit hall at 2 p.m. The program continues through the afternoon with breakout sessions on key topics and culminates with a keynote presentation and the ACE Challenge in the evening.

Diane Durance, President of MiQuest and chair of the ACE’15 Planning Committee said, “It’s a high profile forum where entrepreneurs and Michigan’s business elite meet face-to-face. In the start-up world, speed is vital, and at ACE’15 important connections will get made fast.”

The ACE Challenge builds on the 14-year history of the ACE Elevator Pitch Competition. At ACE’15, ten applicants will be chosen to participate in the ACE Challenge Showcase Presentations. The winner will receive a cash award or a larger micro-loan, media exposure, and will be awarded with a video of their three-minute pitch to be promoted on the ACE website at www.ACE-event.org.

The ACE Challenge offers early stage tech startups a unique opportunity to be seen by this winter’s largest audience of potential supporters, advisors and investors. Coaches from both the New Enterprise Forum and the SBDC Tech Team will prepare the entrepreneurs to put their best foot forward at the event. The deadline for applying for the ACE Challenge is December 31, midnight. Interested entrepreneurs can apply by visiting http://ace-event.org/ace-pitch/.

Register now to attend or exhibit at ACE’15. Admission is just $25 and includes the complete program, access to the exhibit hall, and refreshments. Entrepreneurs planning to exhibit should register immediately to secure premier display space and exhibit location at ACE’14. To register early and save, exhibitors should contact www.ACE-event.org

Early registration for exhibitors – until December 31, 5 p.m. – $95

Late registration for exhibitors – until January 18, 5 p.m. – $145

About the Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship

The Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship (ACE) began as an Ann Arbor event in 2000. In 15 years it has grown from a modest local business-building event into the largest event of its kind in the State of Michigan. For more event information visit www.ACE-event.org