Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-sbTdc)
The MI-sbTdc is the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) "feet on the street," working with entrepreneurs to develop businesses from conception to achieving positive cash-flow. They provide counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures, existing small businesses, and innovative technology companies, including technology counselors to provide more in-depth support and a roadmapping tool that helps clients evaluate the direction of their technology, departmentalize concepts, and chart strategic direction.
Michigan Business One Stop
The
Michigan Business One Stop is an online resource to help you start and operate a business in Michigan, putting multiple government agencies at your fingertips. Whether you are starting a business or already operate one, the
Michigan Business One Stop is your first stop for doing business in the State of Michigan.
Michigan Small Business Resource Navigator
The Resource Navigator, an online, statewide directory of resources serving entrepreneurs, from small businesses to second stage companies.
Wet Labs: Converting Research into Development
Wet laboratories that combine public and private resources to offer start-ups developing life science technologies the equipment and guidance to grow a product or idea. Compared to traditional lab space, wet labs have specialized ventilation and climate control features as well as laboratory bench configurations.
These specialized facilities are spread throughout Michigan and include:
| | The Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center is a 57,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Plymouth Township. Partners include the MEDC, Wayne County, Ann Arbor SPARK, the New Economy Initiative and Plymouth Township. |
| | The Michigan Street Incubator features a 10,500-square-foot wet lab and the Monroe Street Incubator features 6,500-square-feet devoted to the medical device industry. Both labs are operated by the New Venture Center of Western Michigan Initiative SmartZone in Grand Rapids. |
| | The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center in Kalamazoo operates a wet lab near Western Michigan University for emerging life science companies. |
| | The Central Michigan University Research Corp. Incubator in Mt. Pleasant offers a 17,500-square-foot wet lab devoted to biotech and nanotech research. |
Additional Specialized Technology Business Incubators
| | The Michigan Research Institute (MRI) is a nonprofit research corporation whose mission is to identify new technologies residing in universities, federal labs and private corporations that can be further developed to meet critical national needs. Working in conjunction with partners in federal and state government, academia and the private sector, MRI manages technology development and demonstration projects which result in new products and industries. MRI uses a collaborative development approach, involving experts in development, suppliers and users of technology. Utilizing support from various government agencies, MRI acts as the project manager of each project overseeing the technical, accounting and audit aspects and is uniquely set up to comply with state and federal regulations. |
| | TechWorks is a business start-up and growth accelerator focused on advanced technology commercialization. It offers services to very early-stage project teams or companies to focus on business concept and technology assessment and key initial growth steps. More advanced companies have access to incubator and lab space, intensive business coaching, technology and strategy consulting and assistance in seeking grant and investment funding. Kettering University, with its Genesee County economic development and academic partners, has been expanding its technology commercialization activity for in the Greater Flint region to help entrepreneurs grow their companies while they perfect the application of the underlying technology. |
More Entrepreneur and Small Business Support Services Partners
In addition to Michigan’s network of SmartZones and the Small Business and Technology Development Centers, the MEDC has seeded entrepreneurial support and business acceleration organizations around the state. These organizations assist companies to progress through various stages of growth—investigation, feasibility, development, introduction, growth and maturity.
The early stages are crucial to a start-up company and require specialized business resources and services. These specialized services are provided by organizations with seasoned executives who have start-up experience or experience working with start-up companies.
These MEDC partners provide the start-up company with expert advice, coaching and mentoring to accelerate it through the early stages of its lifecycle. For example, a non-technology company will seek expertise from accounting and legal firms, whereas a technology company will seek support from experts in grant and business plan writing and assessment of their technologies.
Access to financial resources to assist with operational needs such as consultants, payroll, equipment, technology deployment and commercialization efforts is critical.
| | Launched in 2002, NextEnergy is one of the nation’s leading research catalysts and business accelerators for alternative and renewable energy. Next Energy has experience working with utilities, alternative fuels, hybrid power trains, business development, venture capital investment and more in the alternative energy industry. NextEnergy provides technology assessments, management and financial consulting services, access to demonstration and lab facilities, workshops, and matchmaking to alternative energy assets, suppliers and customers. Located in Detroit, Next Energy is within an hour of more than a dozen major research universities, and in the heartland of America’s transportation, technology and manufacturing industries. |
| | The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) provides Michigan’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers with operational assessment, process improvement training, mentoring services, website technical assistance and market diversification tactics. MMTC is the Michigan affiliate of federal Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership through the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Headquartered in Plymouth, the MMTC has five affiliate offices located in Flint, Grand Rapids, Marquette, Saginaw and Traverse City to serve Michigan manufacturers. |
| | Michigan Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers operate in concert with the Michigan Defense Center (formerly the Defense Contract Coordination Center or the DC3), the Procurement and Technical Assistance Centers prepare Michigan businesses to compete for government contracts and educate them on the opportunities, requirements and process of becoming successful government contractors. |
| | A coordination point for private venture capital funds, corporate venture capital funds, private equity firms, angel investors, and entrepreneurial infrastructure participants, the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) seeks to grow and sustain a vibrant venture capital community in Michigan. The MVCA is a vehicle to bring together industry participants and provide a concerted voice for Michigan’s venture capital industry. |
| | Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest is a statewide business plan competition generating new business ideas and fostering emerging companies through business plan development coaching, mentoring and investor feedback. |
| | Biotechnology Business Consultants (BBC) provides intensive business development, training and consulting to support early stage life science and technology companies. BBC services are complemented by comprehensive assistance in developing and executing grant funding programs that meet the strategic goals and objectives of the client. |
