Knowledge • News • Insights

In Partnership With

MEDC: Resources to Scale Your Business & Succeed in Michigan

Make it in Michigan Newsletterpeople sitting at a conference tableMichigan LIFT Connects Innovation to Industrial Scale

Michigan LIFT is a new public-private initiative bringing together the State of Michigan, Ford, JPMorganChase, Michigan Central, and Newlab to help innovative suppliers turn real industrial demand into opportunities to scale production. By connecting customer demand with capital, state resources, workforce support, and commercialization expertise, the platform is designed to help more companies move from promising technology to production at scale.

Learn More

PitchMI Locks In 2026-27 Regional Winners

Four Michigan startups are headed to the 2027 PitchMI Championship after each securing $425,000 through this year’s semifinals. Together, MEDC and the MSU Research Foundation are connecting Michigan founders with the capital, visibility, and relationships they need to scale, backed by a growing statewide network of investors and partners.

Meet the Semifinalists

FY27 Small Business RFP Opportunities

MEDC has launched a competitive funding opportunity informed by findings from its April 2026 Small Business Request for Information (RFI). The opportunity seeks scalable, implementation-ready solutions that respond to priority needs including stronger ecosystem coordination and navigation, right-sized capital solutions, small-medium manufacturing excellence, as well as second-stage company resilience and growth. The application is open now through November 6, 2026.

Apply Now

Your Input Drives Change: Take the Small Business Credit Survey

The Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and the MEDC is a partner in this effort. Business owners and key financial decision makers are asked to share what financial conditions you face, whether and how you use debt. Answers to these questions inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others — a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours. The survey closes November 13, 2026.

Take the 12-minute Survey

two people stand beside a red truck

Meet Phil and Sarah Hallstedt of Red Truck Orchards

With support from 20Fathoms, part of the MEDC-supported network of Small Business Support Hubs, the Hallstedts scaled up production of their delicious artisan cherry vinegar. They have successfully scaled up production from pints to tanks, earned distribution to grocery stores and delighted diners at their Cherry-Palooza, a chef-led luncheon incorporating the cherry vinegar into every course.

Read the Hallstedt’s Story

The Right Place Releases 2026 Tech Report

The report shows some impressive gains and continued momentum of the region’s ten-year strategy to make Greater Grand Rapids the Midwest’s leading technology hub.

Read the Report

Upcoming Events

October 15 | Grand Rapids 
Navigate North American trade with confidence: This training will be led by MEDC International Trade partner Van Andel Global Trade Center. This full-day, in-person seminar provides practical, real-world insights to help businesses buying or selling to Canada and Mexico reduce risk and take advantage of USMCA benefits. 
 
October 20-22 | Detroit  
This event brings together entrepreneur support organizations, ecosystem builders, and philanthropic leaders from across the country to share proven strategies for strengthening regional entrepreneurship ecosystems. 
 
October 22 | Traverse City 
gener8tor and 20Fathoms invite you to attend the Blue Tech Showcase of early-stage companies building solutions for MI’s freshwater economy. Come and hear from the inaugural cohort of early-stage companies as they pitch their businesses. 
 
October 22 | Grand Rapids 
Grand Rapids’ top 50 entrepreneurs will showcase their businesses and compete for up to half a million dollars in opportunities. New this year is a slate of capital partners, including Union Heritage and Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, Opportunity Ventures, Grow Business, Centrepolis and Meijer.  
 
October 28 | Detroit 
More than 1,000 manufacturing executives, engineers and operators will be at Ford Field for this event hosted by Electro-Matic and Siemens. Meet five I4.0 Accelerator portfolio startups at a pitch session at 8 AM in the Hall of Legends.  
 
November 18 | Lansing  
Meet the Buyer connects State of Michigan purchasing professionals with vendors who are new to doing business with the State. In a speed dating style format, attendees rotate through scheduled appointments with buyers from Central Procurement Services and partner agencies, learning what each department buys and how to become a State contractor. 
 
February 10-17 |  Johannesburg and Nairobi
MEDC International Trade partner GSGP is leading a multi-sector trade mission to assist small to medium-sized companies from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region. Each mission participant will receive a customized schedule of B2B meetings with prospective customers and business partners. The registration deadline is November 4, 2026. 

 

In Partnership With

Foster Swift: Intellectual Property is the Core of Your Business. Is your business protected? Your brand, your trade secrets, your invoices...learn more at michiganitlaw.com

What's Hot

Browse by Category

Get the latest news from MBN right in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a beat.