Michigan Local Business Resources

Small Business

We’ve included the most valuable business resources available across Michigan’s major regions, from state-wide programs to city-specific initiatives.

Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding an existing one, these organizations offer essential support through funding, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

State Business Resources: Available Everywhere

TRUiC: Support small businesses and startup founders with free resources, guides, and tools to launch, manage and grow their businesses.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Programs: Offers grants, low-interest loans, and business incentives for startups and growing businesses in Michigan.
Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Provides free consulting and guidance on securing funding, business planning, and loan preparation.
Michigan Business Growth Fund (MBGF): Supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing loan guarantees and collateral support to help secure financing.
Michigan Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): Nonprofit lenders that provide microloans and financing options for small businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank loans.

Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC): Helps businesses secure funding by connecting them with Michigan-based lenders, investors, and procurement opportunities.
Michigan Angel Fund: A network of accredited investors providing capital to high-potential startups across the state.
Renaissance Venture Capital Fund: Connects Michigan businesses with venture capital funding sources to support high-growth potential companies.
SCORE Michigan: Provides free business mentoring, workshops, and expert guidance for startups and small businesses. Local chapters are available in Grand Rapids, Traverse City, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and other regions to offer personalized support.
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Michigan: A global network with local chapters in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor, EO offers peer-to-peer networking, events, and resources designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and connect with like-minded individuals.

Local Resources: Location Specific

Besides the state-level programs, there are also numerous city and municipal agencies that provide targeted support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Grand Rapids Area

Grand Rapids Chamber: Offers networking, advocacy, and business support programs (including professional development discounts and cost-saving partnerships) to help businesses grow and strengthen their workforce.
Start Garden: Provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, community space, and funding opportunities, including programs like “The 100” and “5×5 Night,” which offer grants and support for early-stage business ideas.
West Michigan Works!: Provides hiring assistance, job training programs, and talent development resources for businesses across the counties of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa.
GVSU Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Offers a comprehensive environment for entrepreneurs, providing courses, peer-to-peer networking, competitions, and mentorship to foster new ventures and opportunities
GVSU LendGR: A technical assistance program by GVSU’s CEI, offering consulting services such as branding, social media development, market research, and business plan writing to support local businesses in West Michigan.
The Right Place: Provides economic development support, workforce training, and business consulting to help businesses grow, attract talent, and strengthen the West Michigan economy.

Traverse City Area

Traverse Connect: Provides business expansion support, investor connections, and talent development programs to help businesses start, grow, and succeed in the Grand Traverse region.
20Fathoms: A tech and startup incubator in Traverse City that provides coworking spaces, mentorship, networking opportunities, and business development support for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies
TCNewTech: Traverse City-based startup pitch competition that provides early-stage entrepreneurs with exposure, pitch coaching, mentorship, and the opportunity to win cash awards (now a program of 20Fathoms).
Venture North Funding and Development: Provides low-cost loans and technical assistance to businesses in northwest Michigan that do not qualify for traditional bank financing.

Detroit Area

TechTown Detroit: A business incubator and accelerator offering over 20 specialized programs tailored to small business owners, tech founders, and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC): A nonprofit organization dedicated to driving economic development in Detroit by providing grants, loans, and assistance to small businesses.
Build Institute: Offers entrepreneurship training programs, workshops, and resources designed to equip aspiring and existing small business owners with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in Detroit.
ProsperUs Detroit: Focuses on empowering entrepreneurs in underserved communities by offering training, mentorship, and micro-loan programs to help launch and grow local businesses.
Detroit Economic Club (DEC): Provides a platform for business, government, and social leaders to discuss and debate key issues, offering networking opportunities and fostering dialogue to drive economic progress.
Motor City Match: A program that connects new and expanding businesses with real estate opportunities, providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to support business growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
Detroit Development Fund (DDF): Offers loans and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Detroit, with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses.
Invest Detroit Ventures: Focuses on funding early-stage startups in Michigan through capital investment and mentorship.

Ann Arbor Area

Ann Arbor SPARK: Provides business accelerators, events, and a range of support services to help small businesses scale and thrive in the Ann Arbor area.
Ann Arbor District Library Business Tools: Offers free access to business databases, market research, and startup guides to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Washtenaw Community College Business Training: Provides workshops and workforce development programs to enhance skills and drive business success in the region.
Michigan Innovation Corps (I-Corps): Provides funding and mentoring to startups in the Ann Arbor area, especially those commercializing new technologies.
Wolverine Venture Fund: A student-run venture fund at the University of Michigan that provides early-stage funding to startups.

Battle Creek Area

Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU): A non-profit economic development organization that supports business growth, job creation, and economic investment in Battle Creek and the surrounding region.
Greater Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce: Offers networking opportunities, advocacy, and resources for small businesses in the Battle Creek area, including professional development and business growth support.
Southwest Michigan First: A regional economic development organization that helps businesses scale through financial incentives, market research, and site selection services.
Connect Battle Creek: Connects businesses with local resources and community organizations to strengthen their operations and workforce, offering a comprehensive database of support services.
Northern Initiatives: Offers financial assistance through the Battle Creek Small Business Loan Fund and provides business services to entrepreneurs, including specialized programs for early-stage businesses.

Northern Michigan

Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA): Provides business resources for communities and entrepreneurs to create and retain jobs in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan & Emmet Counties.
Invent@NMU: A business and product development incubator at Northern Michigan University that helps entrepreneurs with prototyping, branding, and commercialization.
Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP): Provides economic development services, including business financing assistance, site selection, and workforce development programs across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan.
- Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub: Operated by the Lake Superior Community Partnership, this hub assists small businesses by expanding resource availability and connecting them with student teams from Northern Michigan University.
Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance: Provides advocacy, policy support, and business resources for regional businesses, focusing on economic development, workforce growth, and legislative representation across Northern Michigan.)

Lansing Area

Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP): Offers business funding, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support programs in the Lansing region.
Michigan State University (MSU) Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Provides startup support, funding, and research commercialization opportunities for student and community entrepreneurs.
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce: Supports local businesses with advocacy, networking, and economic development initiatives.
Conquer Accelerator (MSU Foundation): A startup accelerator program by the MSU Foundation that provides early-stage businesses with seed funding, mentorship, and intensive business development support.
Downtown Lansing Inc. (DLI): A nonprofit organization that supports small business growth and development in Lansing’s downtown by offering resources, advocacy, and programs designed to enhance the local business environment and attract new ventures.

Flint & Genesee County

Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce: Offers business advocacy, networking, and resources to support local businesses, including professional development, training, and growth assistance.
100K Ideas: A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs in Flint develop and launch their ideas by providing business development support, mentoring, and funding opportunities.
Metro Community Development: Focuses on revitalizing the Flint area by offering financial assistance, technical support, and small business development services, including microloans for underserved entrepreneurs.

Kalamazoo & Southwest Michigan

Western Michigan University (WMU) Starting Gate: A student business accelerator helping young entrepreneurs launch startups.
Kalamazoo Community Foundation: Supports local entrepreneurs through grant funding and other resources aimed at enhancing the region’s economy and fostering sustainable business growth.
Can-Do Kalamazoo: A nonprofit organization that provides support to entrepreneurs and businesses in the Kalamazoo area, focusing on access to capital, business development resources, and community growth initiatives.

Saginaw, Bay City & Midland (Great Lakes Bay Region)

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce: Offers business support, networking opportunities, and resources for local entrepreneurs and businesses in Saginaw County.
Bay Future, Inc.: An economic development organization that assists businesses in Bay City and Bay County with site selection, workforce development, and incentive programs.
The Saginaw Bay Area Local Development Corporation (SBA-LDC): Offers financial support and resources for local entrepreneurs, including loan programs and business consulting.
Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance: Regional economic development group supporting business innovation and workforce development.

Muskegon Area

Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce: Offers networking, advocacy, and business development resources for local businesses in Muskegon and the surrounding region.
Greater Muskegon Economic Development (GMED): A collaborative space providing business incubation, mentoring, and access to funding resources for entrepreneurs and startups in the Muskegon area.
Muskegon County Economic Development Corporation (EDC): Supports economic development by helping businesses with financing, site selection, and workforce resources in Muskegon County.
Muskegon Innovation Hub: Provides business incubation, coworking spaces, funding assistance, and coaching programs to entrepreneurs and startups in the Muskegon area.

Jackson Area

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce: Provides networking, advocacy, and business support for entrepreneurs in Jackson County, including resources for new and existing businesses.
Enterprise Group of Jackson: A nonprofit economic development organization that supports business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts across the Jackson area.
The Jackson Chamber Foundation: Works to promote economic growth by connecting entrepreneurs to funding sources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.