Southwest Michigan First and The Charter Group have formed a new partnership that will bring the merger and acquisition advisory firm to Kalamazoo. The Charter Group, which was founded in 1989 and concentrates on transactions ranging from $5 million to $50 million, will be expanding into Southwest Michigan. The firm, whose investment banking arm includes the Michigan Accelerator Fund I, will be working out of Southwest Michigan First’s offices. “Why Kalamazoo? Because there are tremendous opportunities in the mergers & acquisition space and the venture capital space,” said Dale Grogan, managing director of the Michigan Accelerator Fund, which turned one year old Jan. 27. “Why now? Because the markets have started to open up, and I think there is real receptivity on the part of business owners and investors to look above the trench line.” more
