It is Northern Michigan Start-Up Week April 9-15, a “celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the growing start-up community” in the Region. Events are organized around the themes of ” Learn; Connect; Grow; Win” —most are FREE— and details are available at Northern Michigan Startup Week.
Many are aware of the Traverse region’s growing reputation for fostering digital technology-based start-ups and early-stage companies, but not so many appreciate the manufacturing application. TC-based Northern Michigan Angels (NMA) invests in early-stage companies (over $7.4 M in the last 10 years). More than 20% of NMA investments involve manufacturing including the following:
- Promethient/Thermavance – personally controlled heating & cooling systems
- Tecat Performance Technologies – wireless sensors
- Aunalytics/Naveego – Industry 4.0 company providing advanced analytics to manufacturers
- Just Light – Photobiomodulation technology for health & disease management
Surprised?
The Traverse Region’s Manufacturing Community is a significant driver of economic activity and employment, and manufacturing’s capital investments have a further positive multiplier effect.
Traverse City’s John Parsons & Frank Stulen were awarded the inaugural National Technology Medal for their groundbreaking work in Numerical Control equipment. Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) honored their achievements, naming its Technology Building the Parsons-Stulen Center (P-S), which includes a Maker Space out of which has emerged substantial start-ups.
And more innovation and start-up tools are coming on board. The Nelson Innovation Center recently opened at NMC’s former West Hall. GTAMC is a member of the Northern Michigan Consortium which received a $275,000 MEDC Grant. The grant-funded, in part, the Industry 4.0 Learning Lab at P-S which is opening soon, and will also be utilized as a Manufacturing R&D Hub by area companies, entrepreneurs, and others.
Are you interested in more?
Maybe help activate the Manufacturing R&D Hub? All are welcome. Contact GTAMC Board Member & NMA Member Dennis Arouca.
