As part of a state-designated SmartZone, the Muskegon Innovation Hub (the Hub) helps clients pursue competitive state funding opportunities that provide critical resources for budding or growing businesses. The Hub helps multiple businesses each year harness the funding necessary to move towards commercialization. The Hub can assist eligible businesses in pursuing the following programs. Interested in applying? Contact us for more information.

Business Accelerator Fund

The Business Accelerator Fund provides specialized business services to early stage companies commercializing advanced technology. Services focus on business milestones, such as positioning a company to attract private capital, build a prototype, develop a stronger marketing strategy, or secure the first customer. BAF engagements typically range from $7,000 to $15,000 and are specifically used to by the Smart Zone accelerator on behalf of the applicant to contract service providers such as consulting firms, law firms, manufacturers, engineers, or other professionals with relevant expertise.

Applicants must serve one of the following industries

• Advanced Automotive & Mobility
• Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
• Agricultural Processing Technology
• Alternative Energy
• Homeland Security & Defense Technology
• Information Technology
• Life Sciences - Therapeutics & Med Devices
• Other Innovative Technologies

An overview document for the Business Accelerator Fund can be found here.

Michigan Rise

The Michigan Rise (Pre-Seed Fund 3.0) is dedicated to helping innovative tech startups move forward towards commercialization in Michigan, and is made possible with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Fund invests in companies serving the same industries as BAF, but uses convertible debt, equity, and SAFE instruments, with investments typically ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.