Date: Jun 01, 2012 Source: Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (
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Sixteen business accelerators located throughout Michigan are now under contract with the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) under its Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) program to provide specialized business acceleration services to advanced technology companies that have high potential for success and ability to create strong positive economic impact in Michigan.
The BAF is a two year, $3 million fund that can be accessed by the sixteen statewide business accelerators to hire specialists to provide high value services to technology companies that can help those companies achieve impactful strategic milestones such as raising capital, solidifying an important strategic partnership, or enabling initial sales of a new product. The BAF links Michigan's early stage technology companies with existing manufacturers, engineering firms, and software developers as well as Michigan's research institutions to build synergistic relationship and maximize job creation for the state.
Michigan's business accelerators have dedicated and knowledgeable staff, access to experts and key contacts for tech companies, incubator space, specialized equipment, training and networking events, and other resources. But the accelerators have depended primarily on local tax capture in order to pay for acceleration services unique to company needs through expert providers. In some regions of the state this tax capture has been volatile and in others it just hasn't materialized as hoped. Because the BAF is a central fund that can be accessed by business accelerators statewide, qualified companies can receive accelerator services regardless of their location.
"The Business Accelerator Fund is a strong, well-conceived economic development tool that makes our SmartZones more effective. Since this program's inception, the BAF has acted as a necessary vehicle in assisting early-stage companies with some of their first "most-difficult" milestones towards commercialization and growth. This program's innovation mirrors Michigan's cutting-edge focus on meeting the dire needs of small businesses and helps our great state to evolve by adopting a more entrepreneurial mind set." -- Larry Herriman, Assistant Director, Macomb-OU INCubator
The BAF was awarded to the MI-SBTDC in late 2011 by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) who works closely with the MI-SBTDC to ensure the program's success. Participating Accelerators submit proposals for BAF funding to provide services for companies in their regions. Winning proposals are selected through a rigorous and highly competitive process. Activity started in January, and to date, $489,000 has been approved to provide services to 18 companies, many of which are already delivering results. Several more projects are currently in the pipeline. Some examples of BAF engagements in process include:
Company: ArborWind
Business Accelerator: Ann Arbor SPARK
Product/technology: Patented vertical axis wind turbine initially for the small wind market.
Accelerator Services: Supporting the engineering, product testing, and marketing required for successful product launch in early 2013
Results: Help cement ArborWind's position as the most cost-efficient turbine in the world for the small wind market, based on initial turbine testing in Marshall, Michigan
Company: BioPhotonic Solutions
Technology/Product: Ultrafast Laser Technology
Business Accelerator: Lansing Economic Area Partnership
Accelerator Services: Update business plan, detailed financial modeling, comprehensive capitalization plan, development of proactive sales strategy
Results: Help BioPhotonic Solutions to expand and scale operations to keep pace with demand for the industry changing technology they have created
Company: The Mackinac Technology Company
Business Accelerator: Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center
Product/Technology: A transparent window insulation system for retrofit applications
Accelerator Services: Prototyping and engineering to demonstrate a proprietary low emissivity material
Results: Initial experiments demonstrated that the material has the requisite properties for Mackinac's application
Company: Sterilogy LLC
Business Accelerator: Automation Alley
Product/Technology: A compact body worn hand hygiene compliance enhancement and monitoring system to improve hospital patient care
Accelerator Services: BAF grant being used for finalizing the development of the system and prototype units
Results: Enable beta test with major hospital and to receive Angel Round funding
Company: Plastomer Lighting Technology
Business Accelerator: Macomb-OU INCubator
Product/Technology: Patent ambient lighting designs and assemblies so unique and cost-effective that the company achieved Tier 1 designation for GM within 12 months
Accelerator Services: Enhance its financial infrastructure, human resources and TS 16949 certification and process mapping
Results: Successfully secured private investment saving more than 20 jobs
Company: Reihl Efficient
Business Accelerator: Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Product/Technology: Evaporators for commercial walk-in coolers that will increase energy efficiency by at least 50%.
Accelerator Services: Intellectual property assistance and product testing for product certifications
Results: Patent issued. First round of funding secured. Operations being set up. Significant pre-order.
For further details on the Business Accelerator Fund as well as contact information for the Participating Accelerators, please visit http://misbtdc.org/technology-team/business-accelerator-fund/
- See more at: http://misbtdc.org/technology-team/business-accelerator-fund-getting-results/#sthash.KD8Bt3w4.dpuf
