Studio will provide idea validation, growth, and tech support to local entrepreneurs

LANSING, Mich.—(Oct. 28, 2024)—The Capital Area Startup Studio—the new program powered by the Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) providing idea validation, growth, and tech support to local entrepreneurs—today announced its initial cohort of five startups.

“Today marks another huge step in our development as an up-and-coming tech hotspot,” said Bob Trezise, president of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) (left), which operates the LRSZ. “The Capital Area Startup Studio will help establish the Lansing Region as a hub for tech entrepreneurship and foster long-term economic growth and innovation. We’re excited to see this first cohort get the support they need to succeed.”  

Applications for the studio opened in September. Following an extensive review period and applicant interviews, the five following projects were chosen. 

• Dr. Kristen Wager of BrandSense Research.
• Aidan Gollan of Notello.  
• Melvin Mobley of Zettavue.
• Amirika Richardson of Richardson & Richardson.
• Joshua Southern of Risky Studios.

The studio will offer a comprehensive array of services, including mentorship in entrepreneurial skills, UX design, and low code/no code development, along with a tech mentorship speaker series. This pioneering approach aims to increase the number of successful new business launches, enhance funding opportunities, and build a nurturing environment for the next generation of tech innovators in Mid-Michigan. 

“The Capital Area Startup Studio is well positioned to empower local entrepreneurs on their journey to success,” said Angel Miller, director of the LRSZ. “For our first cohort, we have a strong collection of startups with bold and creative ideas, and an equally strong team of mentors ready to provide their knowledge and support to help these entrepreneurs reach the next level.”  

The studio was developed in partnership with local tech leaders Gravity Works and Bold Growth. 

“We’re thrilled with the quality of our first cohort of entrepreneurs—they’ve done their homework and have come to us prepared with great ideas,” said Jeff McWherter, chief operating officer of Gravity Works, which builds websites and mobile apps for local, statewide, national, and international clients.  “We’re excited to dig into this work and help transform these innovative concepts into thriving businesses while shaping the future of Lansing’s tech economy.” 

Added Blake Grewal, owner of Bold Growth, a tech and creative studio for legal and financial services businesses: “The Capital Area Startup Studio will make Lansing’s economy stronger by fostering innovation and growing tech businesses that will make positive changes in our community. I’m excited to support these talented entrepreneurs as we work together to bring their ideas to life.”    

The LRSZ is overseen by the Joint Local Development Finance Authority (JLDFA), which works ton stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses in the Lansing Region.

“I’m excited to see this program up and running,” said Charles Hasemann, chair of the JLDFA. “Supporting our regional startups with low-code/no-code training and business development has been on our list of things to bring to the region for several years now.  Thanks to the partnership with Gravity Works and Bold Growth – we’re finally making it happen.  I can’t wait to hear from these companies after they’ve been through the program – to hear their plans and to watch their growth in the future.” 

BrandSense Research offers full-service research that dives deeper than surface-level insights, uncovering real-time audience trends that empower creators and brands to make smarter, data-driven decisions. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of an initiative program that is focused on building Lansing's entrepreneurial and small business economy,” said Wager. “I'm also grateful for the expert guidance that will help me grow in areas where I need it most. It’s truly an honor to be selected, and I look forward to transforming my vision into a resource that will empower creators to build stronger, more data-informed brands.” 

Notello is a note taking platform that makes developing good study habits accessible.  

“One of the hardest parts of being a student founder is knowing how to balance the different aspects needed to run a successful startup,” said Gollan. “We're hoping the Capital Area Startup Studio will be able to help guide us through this process and allow us to become better founders in the process.” 

Zettavue creates highly customizable, immersive, 360-degree virtual tours embedded with interactive content and behavioral tracking analytics to accelerate lead generation. Zettavue has also received financial support from LEAP and LRSZ’s “Fund Your Acceleration” program, which represents a concerted effort amongst the Lansing region’s partners to increase the ease of access to both local and statewide grant funds for a wider and more diverse group of companies.  

“I highly anticipate the opportunity to glean knowledge from individuals who have previously been on this entrepreneurship journey,” said Mobley. “I look forward to this networking being the catalyst to success, not just mine but all participants.” 

Richardson & Richardson is a comprehensive event planning solution helping clients strategize, leverage, and develop resources to make their community events successful. 

“Being part of the Capital Area Startup Studio will increase my chances of a successful launch,” said Richardson. “The world is full of people with dreams and good ideas. I aim to glean from the experts. I firmly believe that with partnership, guidance and accountability, this dream will become the reality that adds value to the Lansing area community.” 

Risky Studios is a creative co-working multimedia production studio providing space and equipment for business owners, content creators and artists to create podcasts, take photos, film videos, record and produce music and other audio projects. 

"I'm excited to join the Capital Area Startup Studio because I will get a chance to test and see an idea of mine come to life piece by piece,” said Southern. “Also, a chance to collaborate with industry experts and other entrepreneurs in the tech space will help build a stronger community for not only myself, but for the Greater Lansing Area." 

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About Bold Growth
Bold Growth is a tech and creative studio for legal and financial services businesses. 

About Gravity Works
Gravity Works builds websites and mobile apps for local, statewide, national, and international clients. 

About the Lansing Economic Area Partnership
The Lansing Regional SmartZone serves as the connecting tissue for all things tech entrepreneurship and tech enabled innovation for the Greater Lansing Region. The Lansing Regional SmartZone is overseen by an independent, publicly appointed Joint LDFA board. LEAP holds the services and staffing contract for the Lansing Regional SmartZone from the LDFA. As part of this contract LEAP oversees the governance of the Lansing Regional SmartZone including being the fiduciary for the funds that the SmartZone collects via tax capture districts in Lansing and East Lansing. 

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all — working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.  

About the Lansing Regional SmartZone
The Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) drives growth in the Greater Lansing region’s high-tech sector by funding local partners to deliver exceptional entrepreneurial support services. The LRSZ is a partnership between Ingham County, City of Lansing, City of East Lansing, Lansing Community College, East Lansing Public Schools, Lansing School District, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan State University Research Foundation, Michigan State University Innovation Center, and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). A dynamic organization of leaders from all backgrounds and business sectors, the LRSZ has locations in downtown East Lansing at the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) and in Lansing at the MSU Health Park. To learn more, visit LansingRegionalSmartZone.com