SECTION 5: The Lay of the land – northern michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Northern Michigan is home to a vibrant and growing network of organizations dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. From mentorship and funding to workspace, training, and community, these partners are here to support you at every stage. This directory highlights the key players in our entrepreneurial ecosystem—who they are, what they do, and how you can engage with them. You’ll find resources that can help you before, during, and long after your Customer Discovery journey.
20FATHOMS
Based in Traverse City, 20Fathoms is Northwest Michigan’s hub for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A nonprofit startup incubator and resource center, they support entrepreneurs across many industries and specialize in working with tech-focused companies.
How they can help you: Join a founder community, access coaching and programs, and get guidance on launching or scaling a tech or high-growth venture.
BOOMERANG CATAPULT
Boomerang Catapult invests in Northern Michigan companies that create high value through intellectually intensive work and export it globally. Their focus is Northwest Lower Michigan, especially the Traverse City area.
How they can help you: If you’re building a scalable, high-growth company, they may be a potential equity investor and long-term strategic partner.
FOUNDERS FIRST FRIDAYS
Supported by Michigan Founders Fund, Founders First Fridays is a casual, monthly meetup where Michigan-based founders connect, share challenges, and support one another—no agenda, just founders helping founders.
How they can help you: Meet peers, exchange ideas, find collaborators, and feel supported in the startup journey.
GROVE COMMUNITY INCUBATOR
Grove nurtures fertile ground where entrepreneurs, organizers, and artists can connect and grow. They offer collaborative workspaces, peer support networks, and resources for social innovators.
How they can help you: Find workspace, creative community, and encouragement—especially if your work blends entrepreneurship with social impact or the arts.
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) works with Michigan businesses and communities of all sizes to deliver the services and support they need to grow and succeed.
How they can help you: Explore state-level grants, incentives, and programs that can support business growth, site development, hiring, and innovation.
MICHIGAN’S CREATIVE COAST
A talent attraction initiative that highlights the Traverse City region as an exceptional place to live, explore, and build a career. Their job board and résumé-sharing service connect employers with new talent.
How they can help you: Hire talent, share opportunities, attend networking events, and help candidates see the value of relocating to Northern Michigan.
MICHIGAN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER
MMTC provides personalized consulting to help Michigan manufacturers work smarter, compete, and prosper.
How they can help you: If your idea involves a physical product, prototype, or production process, MMTC can help you improve operations, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
MICHIGAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Michigan SBDC offers consulting, business education, and market research to help small businesses launch, grow, and innovate.
How they can help you: Access free 1:1 consulting for business planning, market research, financial projections, and early-stage strategy.
NETWORKS NORTHWEST
Serving 10 counties in Northwest Michigan, Networks Northwest leads programs in workforce development, business and economic development, and community development.
How they can help you: Tap into regional data, workforce resources, and small business support that can strengthen your company or idea.
NORTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN COLLEGE
With campuses in Petoskey, Cheboygan, and Gaylord, NCMC serves as a regional education and workforce development hub, offering academic programs and training aligned with local industry needs, including business and technology.
How they can help you: Build core business and technical skills, access workforce and continuing education programs, and connect with emerging talent as you grow a tech-enabled or innovation-driven business.
NORTHERN LAKES ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
Northern lower Michigan’s leading economic development organization, NLEA supports economic growth across Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Cheboygan counties. They work directly with businesses, local governments, and developers.
How they can help you: If you’re located in one of their service counties, NLEA can connect you to partners, commercial real estate, USDA and other loan instruments, and technical services such as tax abatements and grant administration to help your business grow.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANGELS
A membership-driven angel group investing in innovative, scalable companies that can meaningfully contribute to Michigan’s economy.
How they can help you: Once your company demonstrates traction and is ready to seek outside equity, NMA offers an opportunity to pitch to local investors with deep experience across industries who are committed to helping founders succeed.
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN WORKS!
The regional workforce development system, offering a variety of programs to support job seekers and employers.
How they can help you: Their Business Services department can help with job descriptions and postings, recruitment strategies, and finding grants for training your workforce.
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
NMC provides quality professional development, training solutions, and workforce programs for employers and employees.
How they can help you: Access short courses, micro-credentials, interns, training, and talent that can build your skills—or your team’s—in entrepreneurship, tech, and business.
NMC OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (OIE) provides NMC students, faculty, and staff with encouragement, support, and resources to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and successfully pursue innovative ideas that positively impact the campus and community.
How they can help you: OIE connects Northwestern Michigan College students, faculty and staff with funding support for campus projects, engages students with real-world learning, and connects students who are interested in starting their own business to mentorship, startup support, and networking opportunities.
OFFICE OF POSSIBILITIES
Powered by support from Grove Community Incubator, the Office of Possibilities (OOPs) supports idea-stage entrepreneurs by creating a community of sharing and experimentation. It’s a place to test new ideas and spark innovation.
How they can help you: Bring an early concept, receive supportive feedback, and connect with peers and mentors who can help you refine your idea.
SCORE
Ranked #7 nationally, SCORE TC is composed of 30+ volunteer businesspeople who support emerging and growing businesses.
How they can help you: Get matched with a mentor for ongoing, free guidance on starting, growing, or pivoting your business.
TCNEWTECH
Run by 20Fathoms, TCNewTech is a monthly pitch competition for early-stage Michigan startups. Founders pitch to a crowd and compete for cash awards and support services. More than a pitch night—it’s a growing community hub.
How they can help you: Pitch your idea, meet collaborators, receive feedback, win early seed support, and connect with entrepreneurs and supporters.
TRAVERSE CONNECT
The Grand Traverse region’s lead economic development organization, supporting area businesses through business attraction and retention, talent development, policy advocacy, and strategic coordination.
How they can help you: Access a curated regional resource directory, get introductions to partners, and plug into initiatives supporting your industry and growth.
VENTURE NORTH
Venture North provides low-cost loans and no-cost consulting to small business owners in Northwest Michigan who may not yet qualify for traditional bank financing.
How they can help you: Access capital, small business consulting, and referrals that can help you start or grow when you need flexible funding options.