Emerge fund 2024 (applications now open )
Click to Apply
Questions: Contact: kwankhede@edascc.com / 810.937.2003
Applications accepted from February 22, 2024 - March 22, 2024
*New startups or existing businesses with less than 2 years since incorporation; 10 or fewer employees; and $1 million in revenue or less may apply for Emerge Funding.
Available to for-profit small business entrepreneurs operating or starting their business in St. Clair County, Michigan. The maximum grant request per applicant is $5,000. Actual funding issued will be based on overall business impact and potential milestones. All business sectors may apply, but technology uses are highly desired and will be given first priority, including: App development, E-Commerce, Smart Technology, Automated Intelligence, etc.
If approved, Emerge funds can be utilized for:
Market Feasibility / Prototypes
Developing a Website
Filing a Patent
Marketing
Purchase of equipment
Legal Services
CPA Services
Other initiatives that can help launch or grow your business.
The grant CANNOT be used as salary or income.
Questions? Contact Kanchan Wankhede at 810.937.2003 regarding this opportunity. The Emerge Grant opens and closes as funds are dispersed and replenished.
High-tech Startup Investment Fund
The Michigan State University Foundation in East Lansing and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. have created a new investment fund for high-tech startups in Michigan.
The new fund will work with the MSU Foundation and the MEDC’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative to support entrepreneurs and technology startups in the state by providing capital, mentorship, assistance with grant funding, and more. Applications for investment through the fund are available here.
Michigan Rise will be working closely with partners in Michigan SmartZones (Choose St. Clair County EDA/The Underground when applying as a St. Clair County business/entrepreneur. However, please reach out to SmartZone Manager, Kanchan Wankhede, if you are not already working with our local SmartZone before applying for funds. 810.937.2003.
The fund will align with the MEDC’s key investment areas including advanced automotive and mobility, advanced manufacturing and materials, alternative energy, agricultural processing technology, information technology, homeland security and defense technology, agriculture, life sciences, and other technologies. Investments will range between $50,000 to $150,000 each – up to $250,000 total – for Michigan-based startup companies.
Michigan Rise will invest in high-growth and high-impact technology startups that have a majority of their employees living in Michigan, with an emphasis on startups aligned with MEDC’s core focus areas.
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BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FUND (BAF)
The Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) is available to Participating Accelerators in Michigan’s statewide SmartZone network including
The Underground.
These funds are used toward the delivery of specialized services that are not otherwise available from these Accelerators to assist advanced technology companies. An Accelerator will engage a third party specialist (Service Provider) to help advance the Client’s path to commercialization, company success, and economic impact for the state of Michigan.
BAF proposals are reviewed and awarded to Accelerators through a competitive process. This program is administered by the Michigan Small Business Development Center in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Eligibility Overview*
• Early-stage advanced technology company based in, or principal location in Michigan
• Privately held, for profit and defined as a small business by the Small Business Administration
• Less than $1M private sector investments and less than $2.5M revenue in last 12 months
• Client must agree to complete semi-annual BAF economic impact/client satisfaction surveys for five years
• Non-compliance with MEDC or other state programs may affect eligibility
*The Underground will provide a detailed list of eligibility requirements Targeted at Advanced Technology Companies • Companies in which research and development brings forth an innovative product or process. The innovation typically involves intellectual property that contributes to a strong competitive advantage in the marketplace, and serves as a foundation for a high rate of growth.
Examples of Acceptable Specialized Services*
• Develop marketing plans
• Conduct market study/market research
• Develop financial model
• Develop test units for beta test • Cover legal costs for: strategic licensing agreements, bringing on key employees, or
equity agreements with C-level talent
• Logo design
• Technology validation/product testing
• Conduct patent search
• Regulatory consulting
• Technology consulting
• Engineering services
*Services are considered in context of the Accelerator proposal. The Accelerator Manager will work with Client to identify services.
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MIOSHA offers two grant programs — Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants and MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grants to help organizations improve workplace safety and health through trainings and equipment. Find out how you can take advantage of MIOSHA grant funding to create a safer, more healthful workplace.
Contact Us
Samantha Birsen, Grant Administrator
269-275-7155
LEO-CETGrants@michigan.gov
MIWISH Grant Overview
The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant Program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan.
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STEM FORWARD
Expand your team by hiring an intern! Michigan colleges produce exceptional talent, perfect for the state’s large number of innovative, growing companies. Michigan’s STEM Forward program will match their intern wages up to 50%. Any size company is eligible - from enterprise organizations to startups - so long as it is a legal entity (C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, LLP, B-Corp, nonprofits, etc). Your internship must have a STEM focus and provide a meaningful career experience. This program will place 425-450 STEM students currently attending Michigan college annually into STEM-focused internships throughout Michigan.
Michigan STEM Forward internship program:
🎓 Matches students attending MI colleges w/ internship opportunities
💸 Up to 50% of the intern’s wages are matched
🤖 Company can be in any industry but all internships must be STEM-focused
The Underground is proud to be a Michigan Economic Development Corporation designated Smartzone. Referrals from interested St. Clair County businesses must be first evaluated by The Underground to determine a potential fit for the program. We then work with the Ann Arbor Spark Smartzone to proceed on our clients behalf. Contact Kanchan to explore the STEM Forward opportunity.
College students interested in being an intern for the STEM Forward can apply directly here.
Kanchan Wankhede, Director of Entrepreneurial Services
The Underground, St. Clair County's Regional Business Incubator
Managed by the EDA of St. Clair County
kwankhede@edascc.com 810.937.2003
Coworking. Private Offices. Business Meeting Rooms. Entrepreneurial Funding & Programs. Outreach to Women and Minority owned businesses.
www.startunderground.com