Innovation and entrepreneurship don't happen in a vacuum. Creativity and technological breakthrough require the proper environment in which to flourish. The Innovation Center exists within the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem of Kalamazoo and the rest of the state of Michigan. Whether it is a business need or a scientific resource, the links below will help you find exactly what you need, when you need it.
Business Services
- Applied Medical Device Institute
Provides access to researchers, engineers, medical professionals, business and entrepreneurial expertise within an integrated process that includes technical, intellectual property, business review and mentoring.
- B2B CFO
Professional, contract CFO services. B2B CFO uses unique tools, talents, and processes to help business owners through exit or buy transitions.
- BBC etc
High-value information, training, and guidance to help companies secure federal funding. From macro to micro, from individuals to companies and institutions, and from SBIR/STTR assessment to post-award administration, BBC is committed to achieving measurable results for clients.
- Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center (BRCC)
A state-funded program that provides startup and gap funding to promising Michigan-based life sciences and medical device ventures entering the commercialization phase of development.
- Business Accelerator Fund (BAF)
http://sbdcmichigan.org/business-accelerator-fund/
A state program managed by the MI-SBDC, the BAF is available to business accelerators in Michigan's SmartZone network to provide specialized services to advanced technology companies.
- Department of Defense-Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/
The CDMRP fills research gaps by funding high impact, high risk and high gain projects that other agencies may not venture to fund. All of the programs managed by the CDMRP share the common goal of advancing paradigm shifting research, solutions that will lead to cures or improvements in patient care, or breakthrough technologies and resources for clinical benefit. The CDMRP strives to transform healthcare for Service Members and the American public through innovative and impactful research.
- Emerging Technologies Fund (ETF)
A state program managed by the MI-SBDC, the ETF is an SBIR/STTR grant matching program. ETF funds may only be used for commercialization activities, not R&D.
- First Customer Program
http://outreach.umich.edu/programs/first-customer-program/
A state-funded grant program that provides business assistance to small companies that are imminently entering the market. Using co-funded assistance of up to $15k, we match companies with 3rd party service providers that can assist with sales and marketing development.
- GoEngineer
GoEngineer is a provider of SOLIDWORKS Software and Stratasys 3D Printers. With more than 35 years’ experience and tens of thousands of customers in high tech, medical, machine design, energy and other industries, GoEngineer provides best-in-class design solutions, carefully selected that are easy to use, manage, and integrate with other platforms. We are also pleased to support Educational communities as the National and Global leader for Colleges, Universities and schools.
- Greater Kalamazoo Business Resource Network
https://www.greaterkalamazoobusinessresource.org/
The Greater Kalamazoo Business Resource Network (GKBRN) is an informal consortium that addresses the ecosystem gaps in Kalamazoo for micro and small business. The mission of the GKBRN is: “Helping Business connect to the resources needed to plan, start and thrive in Kalamazoo.” There currently are more than 16 local nonprofit organizations and public institutions participating in the GKBRN group.
- Gust Launch
Gust Launch makes incorporation easy and sets up founders for investment and growth with powerful tools, honest advice, and true compassion.
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project
https://hcupnet.ahrq.gov/#setup
HCUPnet is a free, on-line query system based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The system provides health care statistics and information for hospital inpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory settings, as well as population-based health care data on counties.
- HHS Office of Small Business Programs
The OSBP maximizes opportunities for small businesses to contribute to national security by providing combat power for troops and economic power for the nation. It is a network of Small Business Professionals with common values, shared knowledge and regular communication who partner with acquisition professionals seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give Service Members the competitive advantage.
- Introduction to Customer Discovery (U of M)
http://cfe.umich.edu/introduction-to-customer-discovery-short-course/
ICD program through U of M that is precursor to the NSF I-Corps program. ICD provides the basic knowledge of how to properly conduct customer discovery interviews; the first step in the commercialization process.
- Kauffman's Founders' School
https://www.entrepreneurship.org/learning-paths
An online educational resource dedicated to entrepreneurship. It contains lectures and a rich curriculum, plus skills and tools.
- Local initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
http://www.lisc.org/michigan/financing-programs/
A Kiva Trustee, LISC offers financing options to local small businesses that may not be able to get credit in the conventional marketplace.
- MaRS Discovery District
The MaRS Entrepreneur Toolkit is a free online entrepreneurial resource providing a library of templates, workbooks, and videos; an online curriculum; various webinars; and an entrepreneurship certificate program.
- MedHealth Commercialization Pathfinder
https://pathfinder.medhealthinnovation.org/
The Commercialization Pathfinder self-evaluation tool makes navigating the process easier by illuminating the elements of commercialization specific to medical innovation—networking, design, development, regulation, intellectual property protection, funding, testing, and marketing—while linking entrepreneurs to educational resources and support.
- Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN)
A statewide university network that connects Michigan companies to university assets, promoting innovative research. In addition to enhancing comprehensive business engagement offices, creating a web-based Experts Portal, and MCRN has developed three signature program activities. For small companies MCRN is creating a Small Company Innovation Program (SCIP) plus initiating a Small Company Internship Award (SCIA).
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
http://www.michiganbusiness.org/#home-intro
All things related to business in the Michigan government. The MEDC supports entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses via partner organizations with funding, training, talent recruitment, and access to technology.
- Michigan Electronic Library (MeL)
The Michigan eLibrary provides Michigan residents free access to online full-text articles, digital images, and other valuable research information at any time via the Internet.It is a wonderful tool for online market research, competitive analysis, and legal templates.
- Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC)
A federal and state funded program that offers expert assistance at no cost to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business. Services include business plan development, market research assistance, access to capital, business workshops, technology commercialization services, financial management help, export strategy development, and strategic planning.
- Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA)
The MVCA's annual research report and landscape guide provide information on investment funds & support organizations across Michigan. Profiles of investor organizations list funding amounts and investment criteria, contact information, and firm highlights. Entrepreneurial resource and service provider profiles detail services provided and audiences/geographies served.
- Michigan Women's Foundation
https://www.miwf.org/michigan-womens-microloan-fund/
The primary initiatives of the MWF are accelerating women's entrepreneurship, developing the next generation of women leaders, and advancing Michigan's women's agenda. Programs for women include a micro-loan fund, Entrepreneur YOU conferences, Dolphin Tank pitch event, and PeerSpectives.
- Opportunity Resource Fund
https://oppfund.org/small-business-loans/
Opportunity Resource Fund is a statewide nonprofit loan fund. Its impact investments improve communities throughout Michigan. They have several types of loans to help further the economic development goals of any community.
- Patent Hacks
Patent Hacks is a patent education company that teaches you how to validate, prepare, & file your own patent applications. It provides a cost-effective, simplified, and comprehensive platform to make it possible for anyone to pursue a patent without breaking the bank.
- Pivotal Reimbursement
https://www.pivotalreimbursement.com/
Pivotal Reimbursement is an experienced consultancy providing expert reimbursement analysis, strategy and support to medical device, diagnostic and clinical research clients. We provide the reimbursement knowledge and advice for our clients to successfully commercialize medical devices in the United States.
- Pure Michigan Business Connect
http://www.michiganbusiness.org/pmbc/
A state initiative that connects local & global purchasers to suppliers of Michigan goods and services. Includes a resource for obtaining pro-bono business services, such as legal and accounting, from Michigan providers.
- SBIR/STTR Tutorials
https://www.sbir.gov/tutorials/
The Online Tutorials features courses designed to help interested parties learn more about the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
- Small Company Innovation Program (SCIP) & Technology Commercialization Assistance (TCA)
http://www.michigancrn.org/small-company-innovation-and-commercialization-assistance/
Part of the MCRN program, SCIA provides matching funds up to $40,000 to Michigan small businesses to help cover the cost of conducting a research project at any state of Michigan public university.
- Small Company Internship Award (SCIA)
http://www.michigancrn.org/small-company-internship-award/
Provides funding to help small businesses hire university students to work as interns on projects that are both beneficial to the company and academically relevant to the student.
- Startup School
https://www.startupschool.org/
A program from Y Combinator, this is a free 10-week massively open online course with a rolling start date. It is designed to teach people about how to start a startup, and equip them with the resources and tools to help prepare them now and in the future.
- Udacity.com: Business Model Canvas
https://www.udacity.com/course/how-to-build-a-startup--ep245
How to Build a Statup webinar series in which startup guru Steve Blank provides insight into the key steps needed to build a successful startup. This is a free self-paced program.
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Midwest Region
https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/uspto-locations/detroit-michigan
The USPTO in Detroit provides free outreach services for inventors, entrepreneurs, startups, and researchers. It hosts a variety of events that are free and open to the public, including workshops, trainings, conferences and roundtables designed for various experience levels. It offers free public searching on universal public workstations as well as helpful information and resources.
- Value Vantage Partners
Value Vantage Partners helps medical devices, diagnostics, pharmaceutical and services companies successfully quantify, communicate, and capture value in the new market. Services include pricing consulting, sales training, and market research.
Additional Resources
If you didn't find what you are looking for above, here are a some additional resources that may be helpful.