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VELOCITY STRENGTHENS MACOMB COUNTY’S ROLE AND EXPANDS GLOBAL TIES THROUGH MOROCCO EXCHANGE

U.S. Department of State exchange empowers local small business leader to connect with international entrepreneurs

Sterling Heights, MI — Velocity, a Sterling Heights business incubator, accelerator and coworking hub, is strengthening its global partnerships and expanding Macomb County’s role in the international innovation ecosystem following Meghan Hubbs’ participation in the Professional Fellows Program for the Middle East and North Africa, a U.S. Department of State-sponsored initiative.

Hubbs, Velocity’s small business programs manager, was selected, along with Cynthia Respert of REBRANDX, to participate in a 10-day outbound exchange in Morocco after Velocity served as a host organization for international fellows Mawlay Hassan of Morocco and Mohamed Texana of Algeria through the program. The exchange is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and managed in partnership with Legacy International and Global Ties Detroit, which serves as the local inbound placement partner.

During her time abroad, Hubbs engaged with business leaders, innovation hubs, universities and economic development organizations to explore Morocco’s entrepreneurial landscape. The delegation was hosted by Amideast, an American education and training organization with a longstanding presence in Morocco, and the U.S. Embassy in Rabat.  The visit overlapped with America’s 250th Anniversary Alumni Summit on Jan. 24 in Salé. The summit convened hundreds of Moroccan alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to celebrate 250 years of American independence and the milestone of 10,000 Moroccan participants in these initiatives. It highlighted the long-term impact of U.S.-inspired leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship through high-level panels, hands-on workshops and an innovation exhibition, reaffirming the enduring U.S.-Morocco partnership and commitment to shared economic growth.

Hubbs led interactive workshops on building and scaling small businesses, professionalizing creative enterprises, strengthening cooperative mentorship and sustainability, and mastering pitch preparation. She also participated in a panel focused on practical AI adoption for small- and medium-sized enterprises and impactful small-business support strategies.

In Tangier, Hubbs visited the American Legation Museum, deepening her appreciation for the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the United States and Morocco. In Marrakech, discussions with leaders at Emerging Business Factory highlighted alignment with Velocity’s work in incubation and business acceleration. At University Mohammed VI Polytechnic’s Coop Lab, Hubbs learned more about Morocco’s extensive cooperative network, which includes more than 63,000 cooperatives spanning industries such as agriculture and dairy production.

“It was an honor to be selected for this exchange, and it truly broadened my understanding of how entrepreneurship is cultivated across different cultural and economic environments,” Hubbs said. “I was inspired by the innovation and collaboration taking place across Morocco and by the strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage. The experience reinforced how powerful global partnerships can be in driving local impact and creating new opportunities for the small businesses we serve in Macomb County.”

Velocity Executive Director Paula Macpherson said Hubbs’ selection reflects both her leadership and the organization’s commitment to global collaboration.

“We are incredibly proud of Meghan for representing Velocity and our region through this prestigious international exchange,” Macpherson said. “Her dedication to strengthening small businesses and building meaningful partnerships is at the heart of our mission. This opportunity not only recognizes her leadership, but it also brings valuable global insight back to Macomb County. We are excited to see how these new connections and ideas will continue to elevate our work and the entrepreneurs we serve.”

The Professional Fellows Program is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance professional and leadership skills, and build lasting partnerships between emerging leaders from the MENA region and their U.S. counterparts. Through Global Ties Detroit, Velocity previously hosted fellows who engaged with Michigan’s startup, manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, including the organization’s incubator, accelerator and small-business support program. Velocity is also looking forward to hosting three fellows this spring.

Insights gained through the Morocco exchange will further strengthen Velocity’s programming, including its support for international companies through its International Landing Zone and its ongoing commitment to serving a diverse community of founders.

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ABOUT VELOCITY
Velocity is designed to accelerate innovation, reinvention, and growth for Macomb County businesses. Located in the Sterling Innovation District, our incubator, accelerator, and coworking space offer world-class opportunities to help businesses thrive. Velocity is proudly located in the “Sterling Innovation District,” which spans six square miles and is home to 28 million square feet of industrial and high-tech space. Billions of dollars in new high-tech manufacturing investments have been made throughout the Sterling Innovation District over the past five years, including the reinvention of Velocity. Learn more at mivelocity.com.