About Us
CU Ventures, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organization affiliated principally with the multiple universities of the Concordia University System. Established initially at Concordia University Wisconsin, our purpose is to provide a conduit to promulgate ideas, concepts, inventions and products that can develop into viable business opportunities ultimately benefiting the missions of our entrepreneurial founders, investors and university partners.
Our Goals
We are seeking investment opportunities in products that are consistent with our mission. We are always building our Concordia Angel Network to reach these investment goals.
Support
Our focus is on funding free-market enterprises consistent with Christian ideals
Connect
We build networks between universities and partner entrepreneurs and resources to launch their ideas
Sustain
We fund grants and scholarships for the universities by generating revenue through investments
Meet our team
Daniel S. Sem, Ph.D., MBA, JD
President of CU and Walsh Ventures
Research Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Concordia University
Director of Technology Transfer, Concordia University
Professor of Management and Marketing, Walsh College
Dan is an entrepreneur, investor, educator and scientist with over 25 years of experience with healthcare/biotech innovation and startups in both industry and academics. This includes extensive experience in business and intellectual property strategy as it relates to innovation, healthcare policy, biotech financing and operations. He also leads angel investor and accelerator programs in Wisconsin and Michigan as President of CU Ventures and Walsh Ventures, providing a venture studio, economic development support, and angel investment. Dan has co-founded several biotechnology companies (one acquired by Novartis) and three nonprofits focused on assisting tech entrepreneurs. He has over 75 peer-reviewed research papers and 10 issued patents and has a PhD in Biochemistry from University of Wisconsin Madison as well as Law and MBA degrees from Marquette University.
Via CU Ventures, Dan now coleads an angel group that has invested $1.5 M in pre-seed funds in 7 Wisconsin startups in the last few years. Additionally, he serves as CEO of Bridge to Cures, Inc., a nonprofit that cohosts the annual Healthcare Innovation Pitch (HIP) program, with a consortium of tech-transfer offices participating in the CTSI (Clinical and Translational Science Institute) AMPDNR (Accelerating Medical Product Development through Networked Resources) program. Besides facilitating and leading university-affiliated angel investing, Dan is passionate about exposing college students and alumni to the startup and entrepreneurship process, hosting bootcamps and pitch competitions for students, and supporting their entrepreneurial ventures.
daniel.sem@cuventures.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-s-sem/
Curtis C. Gielow, MHA
President, Gielow Ventures
Director, CU Ventures
Curt Gielow retired in December 2018 from his role as Campus Chief Executive of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Before that, he served as founding Dean of Concordia’s School of Pharmacy. He now does national healthcare and higher education consulting through his firm, Gielow Ventures. Concurrently, he serves as Director of CU Ventures.
Gielow attended the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (BS) and Washington University (MHA) in St. Louis. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Concordia University in 2019 following his significant successes in revitalizing and leading the growth of the Ann Arbor campus.
Gielow is a serial entrepreneur who has started four businesses and sold three successfully. He is a former hospital chief executive and international businessman. He has also served 13 years in public office, four of those in the Wisconsin legislature and the remainder as an alderman and mayor of the City of Mequon, WI.
curtis.gielow@cuventures.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-gielow-0a226aa/
Janet Mushall
Business Manager and Executive Assistant, CU Ventures
Janet Mushall is the Business Manager and Executive Assistant for CU Ventures, Inc. which is a company that works with start up companies to help them develop their business to success. She coordinates the CAN (Concordia Angel Network) investment group to help the start ups with funding of their companies. Mushall assists the President and VP on day to day business operations of the company along with working closely with the President on meetings, schedules, travel and events.
Before CU Ventures Mushall worked at Concordia University for 16 years as the Assistant for both the Dean of the School of Business and the Dean of the Pharmacy School. She was fortunate to be a part of the new building projects of both the schools.