EAST LANSING, Mich.—(Feb. 20, 2025)—More must-see sessions have been added to this year’s 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week (517 E&I Week) lineup, including a keynote speech from the co-founder of national fitness franchise The Barre Code.
The Lansing region’s premier event celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation, 517 E&I Week will be held March 31–April 4 at Michigan State University and the surrounding areas.
“If you’ve ever dreamed about starting a business, or if you’re wondering how to grow it, this is an event you don’t want to miss,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). “517 E&I Week will bring together some of the region’s finest minds and most successful entrepreneurs, and they’re eager and excited to help the next generation of local innovators. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”
The capstone event of 517 E&I Week, Bridging Entrepreneurship: Connecting Campus & Community will explore and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Lansing region and the many resources available on campus and in the community available to entrepreneurs. The event’s keynote speaker will be Jillian Lorenz, co-founder of The Barre Code and entrepreneur-in-residence at the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, who will share her inspiring story of starting a multi-million dollar company, which was acquired by barre3 in 2023.
The event, held April 4 at TechSmith headquarters, will also feature a moderated panel of local entrepreneurs at different points in their entrepreneurial journeys, including Marcus Leslie, owner of Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecakes; James Curran, founder of Great Lakes Reality Labs; and student entrepreneurs Tanvi Gadamsetti, co-founder of BRCE; and Yuktha Pulavarthi, founder of Macaronza.
The Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) and TechSmith will join LEAP in co-hosting the event.
Other recently added sessions include:
- Business Made Simple: Empowering Entrepreneurs with Essential Tech Tools, where attendees will learn practical tools and strategies to streamline scheduling, stay organized, and improve daily operations.
- Startup Grind Lansing Mix ‘n Mingle, an opportunity to connect and network with Greater Lansing’s thriving startup community at the Graduate Rock Bar in East Lansing.
- The Hatching, an interactive, high-energy evening featuring live pitches from entrepreneurs, a DJ, networking time and great food at Lansing Shuffle in downtown Lansing.
This marks the first year that LEAP, the economic development organization representing the tri-county region of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties, in partnership with the Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ), which it operates, is leading the coordination of the action-packed week of events, along with key partners from across the region, including the Michigan State University Research Foundation, the MSU Innovation Center, and the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
Learn more and register at the 517 E&I Week website.
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About LEAP
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 City of East Lansing, City of Lansing, East Lansing Public Schools, Ingham County, Lansing Community College, Lansing School District, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan State University Innovation Center, and Michigan State University Research Foundation. 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.
LRSZ is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
About MSU Research Foundation
The MSU Research Foundation is an independent foundation that enhances research, encourages innovation, and facilitates all relevant aspects of economic development through modern commercialization practices, venture creation activity and innovation partnerships.
About the MSU Innovation Center
The MSU Innovation Center is Michigan State University’s hub for creating partnerships that develop economic value from the research and creativity happening across our campus every day. We are dedicated to helping faculty and students translate their discoveries and knowledge into products and services that make life better.
About the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation empowers students to learn through action by providing programs, courses, and resources to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and create new ventures.
About TechSmith
This leader in visual communications empowers people to create remarkable videos and images using cutting-edge screen capture software to help share knowledge and information.
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