Conference 2017 Speaker

Niles Heron

Niles Heron

CBDO
Michigan Funders

As a founding partner of Michigan Funders (Michigan's first homegrown, instrastate equity crowdfunding platform), Niles is entrenched in the capital development, commercialization, and operational strategy of numerous startups and small businesses in Detroit. He is passionate about entrepreneurship development, and helping SE Michigan continue it's growth as an inclusive space for innovation. To that end he acted as a host and organizer for the first ever Detroit: Startup Week which drew over 3,300 local entrepreneurs and community members and was the largest first year conference in the global organization's history.

Prior to his work with Michigan Funders, he spent the better part of 10 years working in database management and business systems, as well as lean manufacturing and process consulting/development for automotive, aerospace and bio-pharma. He has experience managing digital communities, copy and creative writing, operations, marketing, public relations and business development. Beyond his operational expertise, his portfolio includes working with Detroit's youth on financial education and work-skills training, and writing for various local and national publications (print and digital).

At 16, Niles founded an online radio station that reached tens of thousands of digital listeners in niche communities. His past philanthropic efforts include executive producing a benefit compilation album whose proceeds went to providing relief for Haiti in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Detroit-based Southwest Economic Solutions, and national Music 2 Life charity (an initiative supporting activism in the arts). He was selected as one of Detroit's Emerging Leaders for 2015 by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and honored as a member of the 2015 Twenty in their 20's by Crain's Detroit Business.