Midland's Thriving Business Community

Innovation

Encouraging Innovation

Encouraging innovation is key to any thriving business community. High-tech startups and technology-based businesses can take advantage of the MBA’s powerful partnerships and programs to create, launch, and commercialize technologies.

Partner Programs & Initiatives

The Great Lakes Bay Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides consulting, training, and research to help small businesses innovate, launch, grow, and transition.

SizeUp Midland is a critical market-intelligence tool. It allows small businesses and entrepreneurs to make data-driven decisions and fuel business growth.

Financing for High-Tech Businesses Including Startups

Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III delivers highly-specialized services that help innovative tech startups commercialize products and services.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Capital Access Program assists businesses with capital needs. Most types of business can be financed, except construction or purchase of residential housing; development of casino, stadium or arena; or passive real estate.

Grants through MBA’s Partnership with CMURC

The MBA partners with Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) to provide accelerator services to qualifying high-tech businesses in the Midland SmartZone.

Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) supports accelerator services such as technology validation, beta testing, market research, and more. Awards are usually up to $15,000.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs help small, technology-based businesses engage in federal research/research and development (R/R&D).
- SBIR/STTR Phase I awards are generally $50,000 – $250,000 for six (6) months (SBIR) or one (1) year (STTR).
- Typically, only Phase I awardees are eligible for a Phase II award. SBIR/STTR Phase II awards are generally $750,000 – $1,700,000 for two years.
The Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF) is designed to expand funding opportunities, increase competitiveness in obtaining SBIR/STTR funds, increase the commercial success of SBIR/STTR projects, and stimulate early-stage technology investing activity in Michigan.
- The ETF will match SBIR/STTR awards in the amounts of $25,000 for Phase I and up to $125,000 for Phase II.

MBA Programs

Small Business Programming events are driven by the Small Business Committee and made up of business owners with 25 employees or less. The topics are relevant to small business, such as marketing, “ask the experts”, social media, and much more.
MyPros Crowdfunding works to help fund new businesses in Midland that align with the interests of the community and MyPros members.