Lt. Governor Gilchrist Awards $18 million to Support High-Tech Startups

Michigan is home to the #1 emerging startup ecosystem in the country

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced four Michigan nonprofit organizations will receive initial awards from the Michigan Innovate Capital Fund (MICF), a new program to continue growing a vibrant and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Michigan.

“Michigan is home to dreamers, doers, innovators and pioneers pushing the boundaries and building the future,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The Michigan Innovate Capital Fund is about unleashing Michigan innovation and supporting startups across our state as they grow our economy, create good-paying, high-tech jobs, and bring supply chains back home from overseas. Congratulations to the initial round of nonprofit organization awardees. Governor Whitmer and I are proud of the work we have done to support Michigan innovation and we are committed to making Michigan the best place to have an idea.”

Ann Arbor SPARK, Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC), Invest Detroit and InvestUP will receive $18 million in funding from the program, which was approved by the MSF Board in June 2023. The program received a $23 million allocation from the Jobs for Michigan investment fund. The remaining $5 million allocated for the MICF program is currently in the review process.

These funds will help early-stage, high-tech companies develop products and put them on the market, creating good-paying, high-skilled jobs that keep talent in Michigan and diversify Michigan’s economy. Applicants were eligible to receive initial awards of up to $5 million with the option to increase the award amount during the term of the award, subject to available funding and approval of the MSF. MICF gave preference to nonprofits in underserved locations that clearly addressed the funding gap in underrepresented communities.

“The Michigan Innovate Capital Fund provides the state with another tool to increase the amount of capital being invested in Michigan-based competitive edge technology companies and diversify the state’s economy,” said Fred Molnar, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the MEDC. “We know the great ideas across our state outnumber the investment dollars to support them, but thanks to this program, we will be able to provide additional early-stage funding to companies and accelerate high-tech innovation across Michigan.”

The program builds on the state’s efforts to create an environment that supports the attraction and retention of technology companies in Michigan. These include the Michigan Small Business Venture Capital Program, support for the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s Venture Fellows program, and more.

Growing Michigan’s Economy

With record low unemployment, a growing workforce, and historic investments in economic competitiveness, Michigan is on the move and open for business.

In July, Michigan’s unemployment rate reached historic lows—the lowest in 23 years and only the third time in Michigan history (the second time during Governor Whitmer’s administration) that the unemployment rate fell below 4.0%.

The U.S. Department of Labor ranks Michigan No. 3 in the nation and no. 1 in the Midwest in percentage of workers added to the workforce over the last 6 months, reversing a trend from 2005 to 2018 in which Michigan was one of the largest declines in workforce population.

Ann Arbor SPARK: $5 million

Ann Arbor SPARK is a regional economic development organization with extensive experience managing statewide funds on behalf of the State of Michigan, including the original Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund and the Michigan Angel Fund. Over the last 16 years, Ann Arbor SPARK has invested over $30 million in more than 250 early-stage Michigan-based technology companies.

As part of the MICF program, Ann Arbor SPARK will receive $5 million over a 2.5-year period, co-investing at least $1.5 million alongside the Fund into companies with a tech focus.

“We’re excited to expand our investment in and support for early-stage companies and founders throughout Michigan,” said Mike Flanagan, Vice President of Capital Programs. “Ann Arbor SPARK managed the first pre-seed fund for the state, starting in 2006, and invested in over 200 Michigan companies, many of which have helped diversify our economy and create high paying jobs. This next round of funding will build on that success and unlock the next wave of entrepreneurs and innovations in Michigan.” 

Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC): $5 million

Established in 2003 by the Michigan Legislature, the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC) is located at Western Michigan University, with access to the scientific talent and pharmaceutical expertise in Kalamazoo. BRCC has invested in 56 companies and received $10.7M in realized returns, which has allowed BRCC in turn to reinvest further. To-date, BRCC has made early-stage investments totaling nearly $19M.

BRCC continues to invest in Michigan based startup companies in life sciences with over $2.4M in available cash-on-hand.

As part of the MICF Program, BRCC will receive initial funding of $5 million. With further funding through the MICF Program, BRCC will continue to grow and support small businesses in the high-tech sector of life sciences.

“The Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University is grateful to have been approved for further funding from the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, allowing us to expand our support for Michigan based startup companies in the Life Sciences sectors,” said Executive Director Steve Haakenson. “The success of BRCC’s previous investment funds, coupled with this new funding, will provide ongoing opportunities for new and serial entrepreneurs who may otherwise not receive the capital needed to commercialize and grow their businesses in Michigan.”

InvestUP: $3 million

InvestUP is the lead economic development organization for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Located in Marquette and formed in 2017, InvestUP drives economic growth by supporting and nurturing local businesses, attracting businesses to relocate or establish new operations, promoting talent and workforce development, creating connections between businesses for joint ventures and supply chains, and working to accelerate economic growth throughout the Upper Peninsula.

As part of the MICF program, InvestUP will receive $3 million to establish the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, the first fund of its kind in the Upper Peninsula. The Fund will invest in startups innovating new technology in outdoor recreation, strengthening the long-term future of Michigan’s outdoor and tourism industry. In 2021, outdoor recreation contributed $10.8 billion to Michigan’s economy and the state’s outdoor recreation industry employs nearly 110,000 people and $5 billion in compensation.

"InvestUP is grateful for and proud of the opportunity to launch and manage the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund to support entrepreneurs across Michigan,” said InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante. “We extend our sincere gratitude to MEDC CEO Quentin Messer and his team at the MEDC for their continued support and partnership, and the commitment to making investments that seek to build upon regional strengths. Outdoor recreation is not only a strategic asset for both the State and especially the Upper Peninsula, but also serves as a new avenue of opportunity with innovation, entrepreneurship and industry. We look forward to moving this opportunity forward in partnership with statewide and regional stakeholders, like Innovate Marquette SmartZone, who was instrumental in building the concept for this Fund, Michigan Tech University, Shophouse Park, and the MEDC’s Michigan's Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry.”

Invest Detroit: $5 million

The Invest Detroit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization managed by ID Ventures (IDV). Invest Detroit is a leading source of private sector financing that uses a variety of funding tools to support economic development opportunities in underserved communities. IDV is deeply engaged in the entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Michigan, having managed early-stage venture capital funds exclusively focused on Michigan-based companies for the past 13 years.

IDV’s First Capital Fund II is a continuation of the First Capital Fund, launched in 2017 to help entrepreneurs get to milestones needed for assistance from traditional venture capital and angel funds, and the Tech Startup Stabilization Fund, to assist startups during the initial COVID crisis. Since 2017, IDV has invested in 200 companies exclusively in the State of Michigan.

Through MCIF, IDV is receiving $5 million to provide ongoing support to Michigan startups through First Capital Fund II. IDV anticipates focusing 20 percent of the funding on the mobility sector.

“We commend the MEDC on launching the Michigan Innovate Capital Fund,” said Patti Glaza, EVP for Invest Detroit. “This significant initiative underscores their commitment to enabling Michigan's early-stage entrepreneurs to thrive, unlocking a more vibrant economic future for our state. With a focused blend of patient and experienced capital, the funds supported through this program will serve as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and success across the state.” 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.