Potawatomi Ventures and Waséyabek Development Company, LLC are pleased to announce a strategic investment in BAMF Health, the world’s first vertically integrated platform for intelligence-based precision medicine. Potawatomi Ventures is the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community, and Waséyabek Development Company is a holding company managing the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi’s non-gaming economic development activities. The two companies invested in BAMF Health independently, but they did share their respective views on BAMF’s goals and accomplishments, demonstrating how tribes can work together for the betterment of all. The two Potawatomi organizations are both committed to investing in the technology sector and supporting innovation.
Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, BAMF Health uses intelligence-based precision medicine to detect and treat cancer and other diseases and to conduct clinical trials for novel radiopharmaceuticals. The company’s overriding mission is to empower patients to become people again.
“Potawatomi Ventures is thrilled to partner with BAMF Health,” said Paul Hoesly, chief financial and strategy officer of Potawatomi Ventures. “Our investment reflects our confidence in their innovative solutions and their potential to transform healthcare. We are committed to supporting companies that make a positive impact on society, and BAMF Health aligns perfectly with our strategic vision.”
“When we invested in BAMF Health in 2021, we were impressed by their vision and cutting-edge technology,” said Deidra Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of Waséyabek. “Since then, BAMF has accelerated its growth while further enhancing its innovative technology. We remain impressed by the company’s leadership and performance, as it works to deliver better patient outcomes.”
Key Highlights of the Investment:
- Strategic Synergy: This investment aligns with Potawatomi Ventures’ vision of fostering growth in sectors offering substantial potential for innovation and improvement in quality of life. For Waséyabek, BAMF represented its first investment into their medical vertical. BAMF Health’s cutting-edge technologies and solutions are expected to significantly impact patient care and healthcare outcomes.
- Innovation and Growth: With this investment, BAMF Health aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of its groundbreaking Theranostics platform. This infusion of capital will support ongoing research, product development, and market expansion efforts, ensuring that innovative healthcare solutions reach patients and healthcare providers more effectively.
- Commitment to Technology Advancement: Potawatomi Ventures and Waséyabek recognize the critical role of advanced medical technologies in shaping the future of healthcare. By investing in BAMF Health, both investment firms demonstrate their dedication to improving patient outcomes and supporting the healthcare industry’s evolution through technological advancements.
“Every day, we’re changing the lives of patients facing some of the most devastating diseases by making molecular imaging and therapy accessible and affordable,” said Anthony Chang, PhD, BAMF Health founder and chief executive officer. “With financial backing from Potawatomi Ventures and Waséyabek, we can make further progress in detecting and treating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, heart conditions and more.”
Earlier this summer, Dr. Chang was named the recipient of the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of the Year® 2024 Michigan and Northwest Ohio award. Entrepreneur Of the Year is the preeminent competitive awards program for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. He was selected based on BAMF Health’s ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their purpose, and the demonstration of growth and substantial impact, among other key indicators.
BAMF Health has also been named a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press and West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association for Business Resources.
Potawatomi Ventures was established in 2002 as Potawatomi Business Development Corporation and is the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy that supports Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and helps improve the lives of tribal members. Through trust, support, integrity, and mutual respect, Potawatomi Ventures is committed to building an economic engine that supports the Tribe for generations to come. Potawatomi Ventures is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is one of southeastern Wisconsin’s top minority-owned businesses.
Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, is a leading economic development firm in Michigan’s Indian Country. Its portfolio of diverse non-gaming investments totals more than 30 entities across the country, encompassing more than 500 employees. Its investment verticals include defense industry products and software integration, manufacturing, environmental services, medical technologies, and commercial real estate.
About Potawatomi Ventures: Potawatomi Ventures is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin. The Company seeks to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for the Tribe by making strategic investments, acquisitions and prudent asset management decisions. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy supporting Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and helps improve the lives of tribal members. Potawatomi Ventures subsidiary companies include Greenfire Management Services, Data Holdings, Sagewind Development, Wgema Leasing, fireside Market, and several Federal contracting operations. For more information, visit potawatomiventures.com.
About Waséyabek:
Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, is a 100% Tribally-owned holding company that manages the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi’s non-gaming economic development activities. By investing and acquiring diverse businesses and real estate properties on behalf of the Members of the Band, WDC contributes to the Tribe’s long-term success and economic self-sufficiency by providing revenue and employment opportunities for Tribal Members. For more information, visit Waseyabek.com
