SmartZones

Smart Zones provide distinct geographic locations where technology-based firms, entrepreneurs and researchers locate in close proximity to all of the community assets that assist in their endeavors.  SmartZone technology clusters promote resource collaborations between universities, industry research organizations, government and other community institutions, growing technology-based businesses and jobs.  New and emerging businesses in SmartZone technology clusters are primarily focused on commercializing ideas, patents and other opportunities surrounding corporate, university or private research institute R&D efforts.  http://medc.michigan.org/smartzones

Business Incubators

Business incubators are programs designed to support the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed and orchestrated by incubator management and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts. Incubators vary in the way they deliver their services, in their organizational structure, and in the types of clients they serve. Successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a start-up company will stay in business for the long term.
Michigan Business Incubator Association—www.michiganincubation.org

National Business Incubation Association—www.nbia.org
Michigan Business Incubator Programs

Co-Working Programs

Co-working is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those co-working are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.  Co-working is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.
Co-Working Programs in Michigan

Inventors Groups

Inventors groups are organizations that assist members to further their creative ideas. They are places where inventors, marketers, and creative people can learn and network.  Inventors groups strive to help inventors help themselves via networking and experience sharing with other inventors. The organizations usually encourage and nurture new inventors towards professional growth and product realization.
Inventors Groups in Michigan

Online Resources

Intellectual Property Guide.  Intended to help small businesses and inventors in the development of their inventions and in the maintenance of their intellectual property rights.  http://www.sbtdc.org/pdf/IPguide.pdf

United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Includes search capabilities for patents, forms, weekly data, PTO fees, legal materials, statistics, copyright information and other patent and trademark information.  www.uspto.gov

University Programs

Several Michigan universities offer many different types of programs that entrepreneurs find valuable.  University Entrepreneurial Programs in Michigan

Federal Labs/Programs

The federal government has a presence in Michigan that many entrepreneurs may find interesting.

Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)	www.michigantac.org
U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC)	www.tardec.army.mil/

Organizations, Services, Initiatives, Events

Michigan entrepreneurs are fortunate that so many communities and agencies support programs, initiatives, and events to foster entrepreneurship.

Various Entrepreneurial Programs in Michigan