As used in this act:

    (a) "Alternative energy technology" means that term as defined in section 2(d) of the Michigan next energy authority act, 2002 PA 593, MCL 207.822.

    (b) "Board" means the Michigan early stage venture investment corporation board of directors.

    (c) "Conflict of interest" means a situation in which the private interest of a director, employee, or agent of the board may influence the judgment of the director, employee, or agent in the performance of his or her duties or responsibilities under this act. A conflict of interest includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    (i) Any conduct that would lead a reasonable person, knowing all of the circumstances, to conclude that the director, employee, or agent of the board has an interest related to an action that the board is taking under this act.

    (ii) Acceptance of compensation other than from the board for services rendered as part of the official duties as a director, employee, or agent of the board.

    (iii) Participation in any business being transacted with or before the board in which the director, employee, or agent of the board or his or her spouse, child, parent, stepparent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, first cousin, or second cousin or the spouse of any of the persons described in this subparagraph has a financial interest.

    (d) "Equity capital" means capital invested in common or preferred stock, royalty rights, limited partnership interests, limited liability company interests, or any other security or rights that evidence ownership in a private business.

    (e) "Fund" or "Michigan early stage venture investment fund" means the fund created in section 19.

    (f) "High-technology activity" means that term as defined in section 3(g) of the Michigan economic growth authority act, 1995 PA 24, MCL 207.803.

    (g) "Holder" means a person that has a tax voucher certificate or the right to be issued a tax voucher certificate from the Michigan early stage venture investment corporation.

    (h) "Investor" means an individual, firm, bank, financial institution, limited partnership, co-partnership, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, receiver, estate, trust, or any other entity that invests in the fund.

    (i) "Michigan economic development corporation" means the public body corporate created under section 28 of article VII of the state constitution of 1963 and the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512, by a contractual interlocal agreement effective April 5, 1999 between local participating economic development corporations formed under the economic development corporations act, 1974 PA 338, MCL 125.1601 to 125.1636, and the Michigan strategic fund. If it is determined that the Michigan economic development corporation is unable to perform its duties under this act, those duties shall be exercised by the Michigan strategic fund.

    (j) "Michigan strategic fund" means the Michigan strategic fund as described in the Michigan strategic fund act, 1984 PA 270, MCL 125.2001 to 125.2093.

    (k) "Near-equity capital" means capital invested in unsecured, undersecured, or debt securities or subordinated or convertible loans.

    (l) "Negotiated return on qualified investment" means the rate of return agreed upon for investments made by investors in the fund.

    (m) "Qualified business" means a seed or early stage business that is domiciled in this state, that has its corporate headquarters in this state, or the majority of whose employees work a majority of their time at a site located in this state.

    (n) "Qualified investment" means the amount of capital invested by an investor in the fund.

    (o) "Seed or early stage business" means a business that is either of the following:

    (i) A business that has not fully established commercial operations and may also be engaged in continued research and product development.

    (ii) A business engaged in product, service, or technology development and initial manufacturing, marketing, or sales activities.

    (p) "Venture capital company" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity the primary business activity of which is the investment of equity capital in businesses that focus on areas, including, but not limited to, alternative energy technology, high-technology activity, or health care.