Investors will review the information startups include in their UnDemo application to determine which startups they’d like to spend time with during UnDemo Day® 1:1 meetings. Investors make these selections as part of the registration process, based on alignment of sector and stage focus. Renaissance will then create custom 1:1 meeting schedules for investors and startups. Meeting schedules will be finalized and distributed about a week before UnDemo Day®. In order to participate in 1:1 meetings, startups must complete the Startup Application, and investors must register and complete the meeting selection form.

Renaissance UnDemo Day® is a semi-annual event that connects Midwest startups with venture capital investors from around the U.S. The spring event is virtual, and the fall event is in person in Detroit. The goal for all UnDemo Day® events is to foster useful connections that ideally lead to investment in historically underrepresented geographies and founders.

Renaissance Venture Capital is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, so in support of the entrepreneurial community in which we live, Fall UnDemo Day® is open to all Michigan-based startups. Spring UnDemo Day® was created to give historically underrepresented and undercapitalized founders an additional opportunity for exposure to investors. Spring UnDemo Day® is open to all Midwest-based startups led by a founder or CEO from an underrepresented community (Arab American, Black, Hispanic/Latine, Native American, LGBTQ+, Veteran, and/or Woman).

– Qualifying startups apply to participate in UnDemo Day®, sharing basic information about their company. The application takes about 20 minutes to complete, and requires a pitch deck.

– Applicant information is compiled and organized by Renaissance, then made available to all venture capital investors (VCs) interested in participating in UnDemo Day®.

– VCs, as part of the registration process for the event, will decide which founders they’d like to meet. They’ll submit their preferences to Renaissance.

– Renaissance will curate 1:1 meeting schedules for startups and investors, based on these investor preferences. 1:1 meetings are in 15 or 20-minute increments. There will be up to six or seven 1:1 meeting time slots.

Investors can register at undemoday.com. After you register, you’ll receive a link to the startup database as well as a link to a form where you can indicate which startups you’d like to meet. Note investor registration typically opens about two months prior to an UnDemo Day® event.

Startups interested in participating in investor meetings are invited to complete an application at undemoapp.com. Please read the information on the application form carefully to make sure you qualify. Participating startups should be venture-ready: incorporate cutting-edge technology; potential for ultra-fast growth and revenue generation; likely to be an attractive acquisition or IPO within 5-8 years. Information startups include in their application will be shared with participating investors, who will make their 1:1 meeting selections based on alignment of sector and stage.

2024 Fall UnDemo Day® is October 2 from 12-5pm in downtown Detroit. The Startup Application will open at the end of June, and investor registration will open at the beginning of August. Stay up to date by joining our communications list at undemoday.com. 2025 Spring UnDemo Day® will be a virtual event on April 9. More information will be available in December 2024.

2024 Fall UnDemo Day® is on October 2 in downtown Detroit. The agenda is below; all times are Eastern Time:

12pm: Startup Lunch & Learn with subject matter experts
1pm: Open networking
2pm: Curated 1:1 meetings between startups and investors (20-minute slots)
4:30pm: Fall UnDemo Day® concludes

There will be a networking and live music event the night of October 1, in downtown Detroit. Venue and details will be announced in summer 2024.

We are excited to welcome you to Detroit for Fall UnDemo Day® 2024!

Stay: There are several hotel options in downtown Detroit. We have a room block at The David Whitney ($334/night). 

Getting to Detroit: Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) is the largest and most common airport to fly in and out of when visiting the area. It’s a 25 minute drive to downtown. Don’t forget UnDemo Day® is happening during Michigan Tech Week (MTW). Most of MTW programming is at Michigan Central in Corktown, about a 10-minute drive from Ford Field.

Arriving at Ford Field: Everyone will enter Ford Field at the Gate G entrance (1902 St. Antoine). Use this address whether you are driving, walking, or utilizing a ride share service. You will go through Gate G security (metal detector, bag check, and an x-ray machine for larger bags and suitcases) – just like on game day. Once you are through security, you will be directed to Renaissance events registration. UnDemo Day® is taking place in the Atrium on level 1. 

Parking: Complimentary parking is available on October 2 for UnDemo Day® at the Ford Field Parking Deck. If you are parking a vehicle, use 1902 St. Antoine, Detroit, 48226 for navigation. The structure is located at the east end of the stadium, at Gate G. To enter the structure, press the button on screen to indicate you are a guest of Renaissance Venture Capital. You will receive a validated ticket that you will need to keep in order to eventually exit the structure. You will enter Ford Field at Gate G, and will make your way to level 1 to go through security. There will be signage guiding you to Renaissance events. 

Street parking and other lot parking is also plentiful in the vicinity of Ford Field. All hotels offer valet parking.

Walking: Most downtown hotels are walkable to Ford Field (7-10 minute walk, sidewalks the entire route). If you are walking, use 1902 St. Antoine, Detroit as your destination. You will enter Ford Field at the Gate G entrance on level 1, where you will go through security before being directed to event registration.

Rideshare: Use 1902 St. Antoine, Detroit, 48226 as your destination. You will enter Ford Field at Gate G on level 1, where you will go through security before being directed to event registration.