Written by The Cackle Ep67:
Michael Cole, Founder & President of the Technology Industry Group, Bank of Ann Arbor, and RJ Grimshaw, President & CEO of UniFi Equipment Finance, Bank of Ann Arbor, join The Cackle to discuss banking and access to capital .
**Aired on Wednesday, August 25th on Facebook Live, Twitter, or LinkedIn at 10:30 am EST**
Michael Cole is the Founder and President of the Technology Industry Group at Bank of Ann Arbor. Founded in 2002, the Technology Industry Group provides banking and financial advisory services to more than 150 regional technology and life sciences based businesses, venture capital firms, angel investors, and entrepreneurs. In 2004, Michael was responsible for the launch of the Ann Arbor Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between early stage growth businesses and angel investors in Southeastern Michigan. During his decade of leadership, members regularly made over $3 million in annual early stage innovation business investments.
Prior to joining Bank of Ann Arbor, Michael was a Founder and Senior Manager of the Technology Industry Group at Royal Bank of Canada. While building a $2 billion loan and capital markets portfolio, the California based group became one of the top two technology business lenders in North America. Michael also has experience as an entrepreneur, a public speaker, business plan competition judge, and is recognized as one of the nation’s top community bank social media influencers.
RJ Grimshaw is the President & CEO of UniFi Equipment Finance at the Bank of Ann Arbor. UniFi Equipment Finance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Ann Arbor. RJ joined Bank of Ann Arbor in August 2013 as an Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in the equipment finance/ banking industry, he brings valuable experience in the areas of commercial banking, investment banking, and business banking. Previously, he served as Vice President for Everbank Commercial Finance, Inc. where he was responsible for the growth within the Technology Division. RJ has previously served on the ELFA’s (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association) Vendor and Captive Business Council Steering Committee, and participated in the past two Industry Future Councils with the ELFA foundation. RJ is an avid hockey coach and involved with USA hockey.
Michael Cole, Founder & President of the Technology Industry Group, Bank of Ann Arbor, and RJ Grimshaw, President and CEO of UniFi Equipment Finance, Bank of Ann Arbor, join The Cackle to discuss banking & access to capital.
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The Cackle is EntryPoint’s popular, weekly interview series available to watch every Wednesday at 10:30 AM EST live on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn!
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Each week on The Cackle, we highlight small businesses, startups, and people who have an impact on communities across the Midwest. We explore a wide range of topics relating to the vibrancy of local economies, including: entrepreneurial journeys, economic trends found in our research, the challenges facing small businesses and startups face, and the importance of building a diverse and inclusive community.