Detroit's Benzinga awarded for disrupting financial media and improving financial literacy

The Michigan Venture Capital Association held its anniversary gala at Greenfield Village on Thursday, September 29, at the site of an outdoor museum founded by Henry Ford.

The 200-attendee event, which celebrated MVCA's 20th anniversary, was also a recognition of disruptive innovation, startups and financiers working to build a future best.

Of the 15 nominated companies, there were only four winners, and Benzinga was one of them. The Detroit-based company, acquired at the end of 2021 by Beringer Capital for $300 million, received the Exit of the Year award.

Other winners include:

Workit Health, Fundraiser of the Year Award Airspace Link, Rising Company of the Year Award Invest Detroit, Community Impact Award

Individuals have also been recognized. Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin both received the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Sam Valenti III has been recognized for his contributions to a new generation of investors and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the MVCA.

No progress without innovation

The late Michael A. Finney once said, "No progress, no innovation."

Finney received recognition at the event for his contributions to community and leadership.

Benzinga founder and CEO Jason Raznick quoted Finney on the need to disrupt the status quo.

"If you keep doing things the same way, you're not progressing," he said. This realization offers comfort through challenges.

"I kept reminding myself that this too would pass," he added, citing his unique "day one" approach to dealing with frustrations.

Raznick, who founded Benzinga in 2009 in a basement, didn't let a lack of funding and direction stop him from bridging the gap between retail and institutional investors, he explained in the MVCA speech.< /p>

"People kept telling me it was impossible to build a financial media company out of Detroit. They told me I had to move to New York. "

Fast forward to today, Benzinga is one of the largest providers of content to global brokerages and media, including Yahoo, MarketWatch and Insider. Enabling investors to develop their skills, Benzinga also hosts thought leadership, networking and in-person training events.

Raznick also quoted legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler as crediting his team for Benzinga's success.

"Without this team here, and the more than 100 others who are not here", he said, "the company would not be what it is today. 'today."

MVCA's award to Benzinga is validation, in short, the CEO concluded. His intention is to use it as fuel to bring financial literacy and freedom to more everyday people.

"Benzinga is on your side," he said. "We are for the people, by the people. We are just getting started."

Pictured above, from left to right, are Ligia Kennedy, Nick Robinson, Jason Raznick, Renato Capelj and Michael Murray.

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