The Make It in Michigan Newsletter – January 2026

Welcome to January’s edition of the Make It in Michigan newsletter, your monthly roundup of Michigan’s business growth, innovation milestones and opportunities for entrepreneurs. This month, we’re looking at statewide collaboration advancing small business success, resources to support companies and celebrating Michigan’s hardtech innovation.

Small Business Support Hubs Collaboration in NW MI: IndigiPitch

On Dec. 4, a collaborative group of ecosystem partners held IndigiPitch in Petoskey – an energizing pitch competition that showcased Michigan’s vibrant Native American entrepreneurship and startup community. IndigiPitch featured four entrepreneurs competing for prizes and served as a showcase for unique local and cultural components, centered on uplifting Native American businesses and culture. Awardees winning $14,500 in total prizes included: first place: Nokomis Everstory; second place: Rain & Revelry; and two Honor Awards: Magnuson Design Studio and Little Agate.

This event was led by 20Fathoms leveraging investment from the MEDC’s Small Business Support Hubs program. Other regional partners included: Northern Shores Community Development Corporation and Odawa Casino, Consumers Energy, Kuhn Rogers, the Michigan Founders Fund, and the Gijigowi Fund, a fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Trusted Connector Program Support in Action: APACC Launches Multilingual Resource Guide

Navigating Michigan: A Multilingual Resource Guide for New Businesses in Michigan is a practical, four-language resource (English, Simplified Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese) that walks entrepreneurs through starting a business in Michigan, licensing and regulatory requirements, access to capital and where to find ongoing support from the MEDC, Small Business Development Centers, Small Business Administration, Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) and local partners.

The tool is intended for community partners, technical assistance providers and business organizations to quickly connect limited-English-proficient and immigrant entrepreneurs to vetted, Michigan-specific resources through both printed brochures and dedicated landing pages on APACC’s website. The MEDC’s Trusted Connector Grant made it possible to professionally translate the content, develop culturally responsive design, print and distribute the first run of brochures and build the online landing page.

Success in Germany at MEDICA Trade Show

The MEDC, with support from Automation Alley and MichBIO partners, hosted eight Michigan small businesses at the Michigan booth at MEDICA trade show: Active Manufacturing, Endocorp, Everis, in2being, Oxus, Ross, SSI Electronics and Symbiote. In addition, the MEDC hosted a Michigan reception at the booth featuring U.S. Consul General Preeti Shah (a Michigan native), who shared remarks on the strength of the U.S. medical device industry and engaged with the Michigan co-exhibitors. Outcomes were positive from this event, as six of the eight exhibitors indicated they plan to establish a new customer, distributor, agent or partner from this event with new export sales anticipated within the next three months to two years. 

2 Michigan Small Businesses Named to 50 Best Clothing Stores in America List

Coup D’état, of Detroit and AP Shop, of Lakeside were recently was recognized by the New York Times as two of the 50 Best Clothing Stores in America.