• Rick Snyder
• Steve Johns
• Chris Rizik
• Allison Scott
• Jeffrey Rinvelt

Chris Rizik

Chris is the Chief Executive Officer and Fund Manager of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund which is a Michigan based Fund of Fund that support the growth of venture capital in Michigan while serving as a bridge between Michigan emerging innovation company community and its strong industrial and commercial base.

Chris is a co-founder and Board member of Ardesta, with two decades of experience in technology, finance and law, and a principal role in over 50 multi-million dollar venture capital transactions.

Prior to co-founding Ardesta, Chris served as a Managing Director of Avalon Investments, Inc., a $100 million Ann Arbor, Michigan-based venture capital firm targeted at investments in technology-oriented ventures. From 1997 to 2000, Chris led the negotiation and closing of investments in 24 companies, including several that were started following successful technology transfer from universities.

Prior to joining Avalon, Chris was a senior partner with Dickinson Wright PLLC, one of the Midwest's oldest law firms. While a partner at Dickinson Wright, Chris led the Firm's emerging company group, a fast-growing group designed to provide full legal counseling and representation to private companies, including several technology-based organizations. He also served as chief outside legal counsel for dozens of public and private technology-based companies.

Chris received an undergraduate accounting degree with high honors in 1982 from Michigan State University and a law degree with honors in 1986 from the University of Michigan. He also passed the Certified Public Accounting examination and worked at PriceWaterhouse Coopers.

Chris is the Chairman of NextEnergy, the public/private economic development organization formed by the State of Michigan to advance alternative energy technologies in the state. Chris was also the founding Chair of the Michigan Microsystems Alliance, a consortium formed by the State of Michigan, the U.S. Government, educational institutions and private companies to further the development of micro- and nanotechnology in Michigan, and the predecessor to the Michigan Small Tech Association. Chris has also served in board or committee positions with several community, charitable and economic development organizations, including the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Detroit Interfaith Council, the Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year Program and the New Enterprise Forum. He is also a board member of several privately held technology companies. Chris was named by Crain's Detroit Business magazine as one of its "40 under 40," a recognition of outstanding business leaders under the age of 40.