Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II led the inaugural Michigan Innovation Summit on June 9. State leaders, tech entrepreneurs and community members met to discuss how to win federal funding for a new regional tech hub that will help develop the state’s key growing industries. The Economic Development Administration will choose three tech hubs in Michigan’s region, which is shared by Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Summit attendees heard five-minute presentations from four regions, each with a different focus:

• Fresh water in northern Michigan
• Battery production in Grand Rapids
• Applied research in Lansing
• Mobility in southeast Michigan

The pitches included what a tech hub would look like in their community and how they would make their case. The presentations were followed by audience discussion and breakout sessions to look at project strengths. The Michigan Infrastructure Office will use the feedback to help inform how the state applies for the federal funding.

Small businesses that focus on the sweet and savory can attend the MI New Favorite Snack competition and public exhibition in Port Huron on Sept. 9. The competition will dish out more than $75,000 in cash prizes, and the top winner will earn a distribution agreement with All Star Services, a company that supplies workplaces with food and beverages.

The deadline for registration is June 30, with a $100 entry fee. Eligible vendors must be Michigan-based with 10 employees or fewer and have the appropriate licensing, insurance and packaging for consumer purchase.

This week, the MEDC is helping six Detroit-based designers attend Pitti Uomo, a men’s clothing and accessory show in Florence, Italy. The twice-a-year gathering draws industry retailers, buying agents, editors and enthusiasts from around the globe. With access to business matchmaking between buyers and suppliers and international support services, B.May Bags, Boswell Millinery, Detroit Denim Co., Deviate, K. Walker Collective and a collaboration between the College for Creative Studies and Carhartt are putting Michigan’s fashion industry on the world stage.

Hear Roberta Dall’Olio, director of the European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA), discuss fostering cooperation between regional economic development organizations in the EU. EURADA is responsible for building and advocating for EU projects across 20 countries and 70 regions. Learn how Dall’Olio and EURADA have established strong ties with the United States to support continued growth, especially with the International Economic Development Council and its CEO, Michigan native Nathan Ohle.

• June 27: No Excuse Today Workshop and Canva Training
• July 27-Sept. 7: IGNITE Entrepreneur Training, Resilient Entrepreneur Training
• July 28: Men in Business Networking Event
• Aug. 3: Southfield Sourcing Summit
• Aug. 9-10: Advanced Manufacturing Expo 2023
• Sept. 10-12: Michigan Works! Annual Conference
• Oct. 15-20: Mexico Trade Mission (Deadline to register: Aug. 15)
• Michigan APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) Events Listing
• Michigan SBDC Events Listing