Incubators

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Entrepreneurial business incubators are organized programs designed to support the growth and development of early-stage startups and entrepreneurs. These programs typically provide various resources, mentorship, and support services aimed at helping new businesses become successful. Here are some key features and benefits of entrepreneurial business incubators:

1. Mentorship: Incubators often connect entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who can offer guidance, advice, and industry insights. This support can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of starting a business.
2. Networking Opportunities: Incubators create an environment where entrepreneurs can connect with peers, industry experts, investors, and potential partners, fostering collaboration and strategic relationships.
3. Access to Resources: Many incubators provide access to essential resources, such as office space, meeting rooms, high-speed internet, and administrative support, reducing overhead costs for startups.
4. Educational Programs: Incubators often offer workshops, training sessions, and seminars covering various topics, such as business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and legal considerations.
5. Funding Support: Some incubators help entrepreneurs access funding through connections with investors or by offering funding competitions and grants.
6. Structured Development: Incubators typically have a structured program with clear milestones and criteria for progress, helping entrepreneurs stay focused and accountable as they develop their businesses.
7. Time-Limited Programs: Most incubators operate on a cohort basis, meaning that participants join the program for a specific duration (usually several months to a few years), allowing for intensive development and support during that period.

Overall, entrepreneurial business incubators play a crucial role in nurturing startups by providing the necessary tools, resources, and support to help them succeed in the competitive business landscape.

Ann Arbor Spark

Location: Ann Arbor 

Url: https://annarborusa.org/

Description: Ann Arbor SPARK is a community resource that helps drive economic growth in service of prosperity for all. They provide free educational workshops, an intensive 8 week program designed to guide early stage entrepreneurs, consulting advice, talent acquisition, as well as early stage investment capital and funding planning. With a plethora of different resources, Ann Arbor Spark is a must for all upcoming entrepreneurs in the area. 

Innovation Incubator Program

Location: University of Michigan, Flint

Url: https://www.umflint.edu/innovation-incubator/

Description: The Innovation Incubator Program provides free resources to local Southeast Michigan startups who are in the early stages of a startup project. The Incubator offers meeting spaces and co-work for up to 24 people. Users are provided with business planning assistance, networking opportunities, and a business reference library. As well as free business development workshops led by Program faculty.

Innovation Partnerships

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Url: https://innovationpartnerships.umich.edu/entrepreneurs/startup-incubator/

Description: The Innovation Partnerships Startup Incubator provides resources to qualified U-M startups who are emerging from the pipeline of Ventures startup projects. The Incubator offers flexible leases for world-class lab and office space in the U-M North Campus Research Complex. Tenants are provided with concierge service and networking opportunities to accelerate their programs guided by the Ventures team.

Launch 734

Location: Monroe, MI

Url: https://launch734.com/services

Description: Launch 734 has a plethora of services available for up and coming entrepreneurs including a one-on-one Coaching program that offers personalized guidance and expert advice to help you start and grow your business. As well as dynamic training and workshops designed to empower entrepreneurs with essential business knowledge and tools. And networking opportunities with events to expand your professional connection and foster valuable relationships with like minded entrepreneurs.

Lean Rocket Lab

Location: Jackson, MI

Url: https://www.leanrocketlab.org/local

Description: Lean Rocket Labs removes common barriers to innovation by providing a collaborative workspace full of high energy entrepreneurs, advanced educational programming, helpful business resources, and access to various stages of capital so your business or product can launch and thrive. With 1 on 1 coaching, and extensive bootcamps, Lean Rocket Lab is for locals within Southeast Michigan.

Newlab @ Michigan Central

Location: Detroit

Url: https://michigancentral.com/mc_partners/newlab/

Description: Newlab is a global venture platform for critical technology startups building our sustainable future, laying the foundation of Detroit’s mobility innovation ecosystem.Newlab, in partnership with Michigan Central, provides everything founders need to prototype, find product-market fit, and scale – from 11K sf of shops and labs, to 30 acres of urban mobility piloting and fast-tracked permitting within a Transportation Innovation Zone.

OU INC

Location: Oakland University 

Url: https://oakland.edu/ouinc/

Description: OU INC is a SmartZone Business Incubator, in collaboration with the City of Rochester Hills, Michigan. We provide entrepreneurial and business startup resources, as well as strategic business solutions for developing business ventures. OU INC also excels in accelerating ideas to market and supporting technological innovation. We foster a healthy environment for early-stage, growth-based, and high-tech companies, and provide support for existing entities through our facility and business development resources.

TechTown Detroit

Location: Wayne State University

Url: https://techtowndetroit.org/

Description: TechTown Detroit is Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub.They are a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. They own and operate a 135,000-square-foot building in Detroit’s New Center that supports coworking, offices, meetings and events. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, they are accelerating an inclusive and equitable economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

Velocity Incubator

Location: Sterling Heights

Url: https://www.mivelocity.com/programs/incubator/

Description: Velocity focuses on early-phase startups that are in the product-development phase and do not yet have a well-developed business model. Incubator services include co-working and office space, business planning, coaching, entrepreneurial networking, education programs and funding planning.