Business Accelerator Fund
The Business Accelerator Fund is a 2 year, $3 million fund that may be accessed by participating business accelerators statewide to provide specialized business acceleration services to companies commercializing advanced technology. The program was developed with input from 13 Michigan business accelerators and will leverage that network to spread best practices statewide and in tandem with the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center’s (MI-SBTDC) business consulting, entrepreneurial education, and information based planning services.
The Business Accelerator Fund is a 21st Century Jobs Fund Program managed by the MI-SBTDC in partnership with the Michigan 
Economic Development Corporation and Michigan’s network of business accelerators.
Objectives:
- Make business accelerator services available to viable early stage technology companies wherever they are located in the state
- Make resources available to business accelerators to support technology companies that are targeted as high priority in their region’s success
- Build lasting collaborations between early stage tech companies and strategic partners including business accelerators and incubators, talent, consultants, manufacturers, engineering and software firms, contract research organizations, and university researchers
- Provide business consulting and commercialization assistance to companies that have high potential to create jobs and serve as a catalyst for large multiplier effects
Examples of accelerator services include:
- Engagements with business consultants (market study, financial model, marketing plan)
- Engagements with legal firms (intellectual property assistance, private placement memorandum, freedom to operate, licensing agreements)
- Engagements with universities (technology development, internships)
- Engagements with manufacturers, software, and engineering firms (prototypes, design engineering, software development, product testing, technology/product development)
Company Eligibility and Selection
Business Accelerators will select companies with high potential for success and ability to create positive economic impact in the region. Accelerator Engagements will be awarded through a competitive review process. No company may receive more than $50,000 in accelerator services. Companies that have raised more than $1 million in private sector capital or have more than $2.5 million in annual revenue are ineligible for accelerator services through the BAF.
Qualified companies interested in receiving business accelerator services should contact their nearest BAF Participating Accelerator.
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Ann Arbor SPARK Lori Emerson Business Accelerator Manager (734) 527-9153 |
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Automation Alley Kelly Kozlowski Business Accelerator Client Coordinator (248) 457-3229 |
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CMU Research Corporation Lisa Wilczak Financial Analysis Manager (989) 774-7513 |
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Lansing Economic Area Partnership Jeff Smith Smart Zone Co-Director (517) 420-1670 |
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Lakeshore Advantage Randy Olinger Manager, the BioBusiness Accelerator at MSU (616) 395-8974 |
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Macomb – OU INCubator Mike Brennan Business Commercialization & Capitial Investment Advisor (586) 884-9320 |
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MAREC Arn Boezaart Director (616) 331-6901 |
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MTEC Smartzone Jonathan Leinonen |
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OU Inc. Lori Kerch CPA Senior Finance and Investment Capital Advisor (248) 648-4800 kerch@oakland.edu |
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Sault Ste. Marie Advanced Resources and Technology (SSMart), Inc. |
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Southwest Michigan Innovation Center Madelyn Pinder Business Services Manager (269) 353-1823 |
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Tech Town Sheu-Jane Gallagher Programs Support Manager (313) 483-0999 |
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Mid Michigan Innovation Center Chris Moultrup Program Director (989) 205-4522 moultrup@mmic.us |
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Shorouq Almallah Business Accelerator Intake Counselor Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (616) 331-7256 almallas@gvsu.edu |
New Ventures
Second Stage Businesses
Existing Businesses
Advanced Tech Companies
Access to Your Data
