Washington, D.C. — Small business confidence continued to climb in the third quarter, according to the latest MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Q2 2025 Small Business Index. The Q3 2025 Index score of 72.0, up from 65.2 last quarter, was driven by improved views of both the national and local economies. While optimism is on
GRAND RAPIDS — A vacant factory in southeast Grand Rapids could soon become a center for entrepreneurs. The building at 1515 Madison Ave. south of Hall Street was a Heinz pickle factory for many years. The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation is leading the $20 million project. Justin Beene is the founder of the center, which
GRAND RAPIDS – Michigan Capital Network announced it has expanded its leadership team by promoting Jenni Li, Ph.D., to principal at the firm. Li first joined MCN as an analyst in 2020 after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Li was promoted to senior analyst at
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - Applications are now being accepted from entrepreneurs in Shiawassee, Lapeer, Tuscola, Huron, Sanilac and St. Clair Counties to become part of the 2025 Small Business Cohort. Up to 40 entrepreneurs will be selected and each participant will receive coaching, mentoring and up to $7,000 in crucial support services to help their
STERLING HEIGHTS - Join Velocity on October 17th from 6-9 PM for the 3X3 Pitch Competition to showcase stories of resilience and success during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will have three minutes each to present their journey of overcoming challenges and achieving prosperity. Coaching and Competition Selected participants with receive 6 hours of one-on-one coaching
EAST LANSING - Conquer Accelerator is a competitive 10-week program that provides startup teams with programming and resources for success. We’ll help take your early-stage product or service technology startup to the next level with: $20,000 in early-stage funding Mentoring and professional services Programming, resources, and support Access to follow-on funding after the program ends Requirements:
DETROIT - The public has cast their votes and after a tight race, the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown is ready to announce the four entrepreneurial teams advancing to the final stage of the competition, which includes another round of public voting and the opportunity to compete at the Hatch Off on April 26.
GRAND RAPIDS — The city’s Local Development Finance Authority has recommended that Start Garden Inc. and Spartan Innovations L3C administer the Grand Rapids SmartZone business incubator through a collaborative approach. The LDFA on March 1 put out a request for proposals to run the business incubator, with the goal of bringing more diversity and equity among tech startups, as MiBiz previously reported.
ANN ARBOR - The Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund on Thursday announced an unprecedented and transformational $500 million philanthropic investment over the next ten years, to be accomplished through strategic contributions to community organizations that will build economic opportunity in Detroit neighborhoods. The Gilbert Family Foundation will contribute $350 million, and the Rocket
ANN ARBOR—The Michigan “angel investor” community released its 2019 annual research report, showing an increase in the number of angel investors and the amount they invested in Michigan startups last year. “Since we started publishing this report in 2017, angel activity across Michigan has steadily increased,” said Skip Simms, Michigan Angel Fund managing director and
