| MTEC SmartZone Receives Grant to Support Job Creation through Local and Statewide Collaboration |
| HOUGHTON, Michigan (January 23, 2012) – Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently announced an award to MTEC SmartZone for $750,000 as part of a $6 million statewide fund for high-performance business incubators and accelerators in Michigan. Today, the check was presented to MTEC SmartZone Board of Directors and CEO, Marilyn Clark. |
| MTEC SmartZone Announces Three New Board Members |
| HOUGHTON, Michigan (January 12, 2012) – MTEC SmartZone recently appointed three new business leaders to its Board of Directors: Dinah Adkins, author and former President and CEO of the National Business Incubation Association; Peter W. Farner, Partner in TGap Ventures, an early stage Michigan-based venture firm; and Dave Haviland, founder of Phimation and expert consultant for Stage 2 businesses. |
| MTEC SmartZone Announces Marilyn Clark as New CEO |
| HOUGHTON, Michigan (December 8, 2011) – MTEC SmartZone Board of Directors announces today Marilyn Clark as Chief Executive Officer. The local experienced business woman will lead MTEC SmartZone through its next phase of growth. |
| Talented Engineering Students Perfect Fit for MTEC SmartZone Technology Companies |
| Houghton, Michigan (November 11, 2011) – Businesses growing in MTEC SmartZone are seeing many benefits as they hire bright, innovative technology students from Michigan Technological University. Engineering students have proven to be a very capable workforce, enabling companies to save money, maintain quality and help boost the local economy. |
| Students to Compete in Annual Bob Mark Memorial Elevator Pitch |
| HOUGHTON, Michigan (November 8, 2011) – The annual Bob Mark Memorial Elevator Pitch Competition will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011, in Fisher 139 on the campus of Michigan Technological University. The deadline to register is this Friday, November 11. The competition is open to both Michigan Tech and Finlandia University students. |
| AMAZING SUCCESS: Entrepreneur Support Center Assists 33 Entrepreneurs in 6 Months |
| HANCOCK, Michigan (November 7, 2011) – The Entrepreneur Support Center (ESC) opened last April to provide local entrepreneurs with an office and mentors to guide them. In just six months, an amazing 33 entrepreneurs have signed up for ESC services, 18 LLCs have been filed, six companies are either selling their product or taking orders, and two companies are completely operational. <br> <br> |
| Michigan Tech Students Advance to Accelerate Michigan Competition |
| Houghton, MI (November 2, 2011) - Michigan Technological University students Travis Beaulieu and Joel Florek are semi-finalists in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. Beaulieu and Florek will compete in Ypsilanti, Michigan, beginning November 16, 2011, for the $25,000 grand prize. The team will present with their business idea, AsfalisMed. |
| GreenSand Advances to Accelerate Michigan Competition Finals |
| LAKE LINDEN, MI (November 2, 2011) – GreenSand Corporation is a semi-finalist in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. The competition will take place November 16 – 17, 2011, in Ypsilanti. GreenSand is in contention to win the grand prize of $500,000. GreenSand possesses a technology to recycle copper-laden mining stamp sand located in Gay, Michigan, to produce roofing shingles. Copper is a desirable construction additive for its prevention of algae and mold growth. Additionally, the GreenSand shingle repels water, accepts color and is durable. |
| Michigan Tech Students Create Businesses and Compete for $30,000: MTEC SmartZone’s Entrepreneur Support Center Provides Mentoring and Office Space |
| Houghton, MI (October 31, 2011) - Michigan Technological University’s School of Business and Economics and Central Michigan University are partnering in the 2012 New Venture Competition – one of the nation’s top business plan competitions. The competition will culminate on March 30, 2012, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan when business plans are presented and judged. Cash prizes of $30,000 for first place, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place will be awarded toward business start-up and launch. |
| Michigan Tech Students Win iPad and iPod in MTEC SmartZone Social Media Drawing |
| Houghton, MI (October 27, 2011) - MTEC SmartZone gave away a new iPad2 and iPod Touch to two Michigan Technological University students last week. With an increasing focus on developing student relationships, MTEC SmartZone was pleased to present students Allison Kay Strome and Trent Sturos with their new Apple products. |
| Another MTEC SmartZone Success Story: GE Aviation Systems Employs Student Talent and Creates Jobs in the Keweenaw |
| Houghton, MI (September 22, 2011) – GE Aviation Systems is a world leader in commercial and military aviation. With a major facility in Grand Rapids, GE Aviation employs a workforce of more than 1,400 in Michigan, with nearly 60 working right here in Houghton ~ many of them students from Michigan Technological University. |
| MTEC SmartZone Partners with Michigan Technological University’s Superior Innovations |
| Houghton, MI (September 8, 2011)- For over seven years, MTEC SmartZone has established a track record of successfully providing concrete resources and support to high-tech entrepreneurs, many of whom come from Michigan Technological University. To further the commercialization of University innovation, Michigan Tech recently created Superior Innovations. A for-profit company, Superior Innovations helps move entrepreneurs and their early-stage discoveries from inside labs and classrooms into the marketplace. |
| SmartZone Crossword Solution |
| Looking for the solution to the SmartZone crossword that was handed out at Taste of Houghton on August 26? Here it is! |
| Lasalletech Continues Global Growth |
| Hancock, MI - LaSalle Technology Group, LLC (Lasalletech) is an established MTEC SmartZone company. Founded by the father and son team of Jim and Jacob Northey in 2006, they opened office in MTEC SmartZone’s Jutila Center campus. Utilizing technology, loan programs and marketing resources provided by MTEC SmartZone, Lasalletech has found success through the development phase, product launch and now sales of their FIX Productivity Suite. |
| Talon Research Creates Jobs, Develops New Technology |
| Hancock, MI - Twenty-four entrepreneurs have entered MTEC SmartZone Business Accelerator. Of those companies, eight have graduated and the rest continue to grow. Talon Research is one incredible example of MTEC SmartZone’s entrepreneurial successes that is happening right now. |
| Ford IT Finds Success Insourcing Jobs to Talented Michigan Tech Students |
| Houghton, MI - Ford Motor Company discovered several IT functions that could be remotely sourced overseas but faced challenges due to language barriers, high staff turnover, short supply skill sets and time zone issues. Russell Louks, Ford’s Application Technology Supervisor, discovered alternatives to outsourcing. |
| Lasalletech Announces FIX Explorer Mobile, a New Free Mobile Dictionary for the FIX Community |
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| Michigan Tech EcoCAR GM Mentor Chris Twarog Helps Identify Major Vehicle Controls Device Error |
| Christopher Twarog of General Motors has been an invaluable resource during the final push in the third year of EcoCAR competition. Chris came to MTU to help the Team address issues with the engine controller that refused to deliver fuel during engine start attempts. This challenge held the team back from doing further troubleshooting with other aspects of the car. |
| Entrepreneur Support Center Open in Hancock on April 1st with Goal to Start Local Businesses |
| Hancock, MI - After many months of planning and collaboration between MTEC SmartZone, Finlandia University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Entrepreneur Support Center (ESC) has become a reality. The ESC is a place where entrepreneurs and small businesses can go to access office space, equipment, training and other start-up resources. |
| New MTEC SmartZone Loan Program Available for Local Small Businesses |
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| Learn How to Leverage Federal Funds for Your Small Business |
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| WUPPDR Acquires Millions in Grant Funds to Spur MTEC SmartZone Expansion Projects |
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| MTEC SmartZone Awarded $100,000 Grant to Open an Entrepreneurial Training Center |
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| FastTrac Program Preparing Entrepreneurs to Grow Businesses Locally |
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| Talon Research President Voted to Regional Partnership Board of Directors |
| Talon Research, Inc. President, Jay Ruohonen, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Midwest Bridge Preservation Partnership at their inaugural meeting held October 14th in Detroit, Michigan. |
| Local Technology Companies Continue to Prosper Through Times of Economic Difficulty |
| Local technology companies Lasalletech, Xeratec, and Nitrate Elimination have prospered despite the national economic downturn. During the Keweenaw Economic & Development Alliance (KEDA) September meeting these companies shared their success stories. Each company followed a different path to success, yet the resources they received from MTEC SmartZone and KEDA are significant to their growth and development. |
| MTEC SmartZone Companies and Their Employees Enjoy the Keweenaw's Fringe Benefits |
| Jason Mack works as Site Manager for GE Aviation’s MTEC SmartZone location, an engineering center of excellence providing real world engineering opportunities to undergraduate students at Michigan Tech. Through MTEC SmartZone, GE is employing student talent, a rewarding arrangement for both <br>parties. GE Aviation provides a unique opportunity for entry-level engineers to work on tasks applied towards real-world aviation projects. In return, GE Aviation receives excellent entry-level design services at low cost. |
| GS Engineering receives the 2010 Government Contractor of the Year Award |
| GS Engineering (GSE) was recognized by Michigan Celebrates Small Business(MCSB) as one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch in 2005. Since that time MCSB has kept a close eye on their successes and recently awarded them the 2010 Government Contractor of the Year. |
| MTEC SmartZone Links Fortune 100 Companies and Students |
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| MTEC SmartZone Company Reaches Global Trading Market |
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| MTEC SmartZone Helps Energize the Second Annual Jibba Jabba Rail Jam |
| Over one hundred skiers and snowboarders participated in the 2nd Annual Jibba Jabba Rail Jam, and it's estimated that over fifteen hundred spectators attended the day's event. The event is made possible through corporate sponsors, volunteer time, the City of Houghton and the rail building expertise of the Rhythm Skate Shop crew. MTEC SmartZone was one of the major sponsors, donating a new launch rail to the hill and a full snowboard set-up from Rhythm Skate Shop. |
| Congressman Stupak Applauds Smart Zone's Success |
| Congressman Stupak was excited and inspired during his tour of the newly renovated Lakeshore Center, home of the MTEC SmartZone. Stupak applauds the SmartZone for being an integral part in the expansion of high-tech businesses and the subsequent increased job market within the Upper Peninsula. |
| MTEC SmartZone Awarded $500,000 for Business Programs |
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| MTEC SmartZone Promotion Excites Students on Michigan Tech's Campus |
| MTEC SmartZone and Michigan Technological University <br>have kindled a long-term relationship since the SmartZone was formed in 2003. The majority of companies that have established in the SmartZone are by Michigan Tech alumni and SmartZone programs integrate Michigan Tech students as both entrepreneurial clients and as well as service providers. <br>Still, many students are unaware of the SmartZone so a recent promotion to give away an Apple laptop, an iPod and two iPod Shuffle audio players successfully garnered students’ attention. |
| MTEC SmartZone Graduate Receives $25 Million Military Contract |
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| MTEC SmartZone enjoys growth boom |
| MTEC SmartZone is energizing high-tech business growth in the Upper Peninsula. In just 5 years MTEC has brought in two fortune 100 companies, helped solidify the establishment of 12 new technology start-ups, seen its charter member graduate to build its own corporate center, and is attributed as one of the key components of a economic surge in the Keweenaw Peninsula. |
| $3.2 Million Grant Awarded for Fourth MTEC SmartZone Business Accelerator |
| The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Economic Development Corporation have awarded the MTEC SmartZone a $3.2million grant to renovate the current Houghton Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) into a new business accelerator environment. |
| New MTEC SmartZone Internet Platform Creates Opportunity for Growth of Technology Business |
| “Energizing High Tech Business Growth” is the promise and mission of the MTEC SmartZone. Now, a significant new intranet and internet technology foundation has been added to the arsenal of business support and development tools available to SmartZone companies and their employees. |
| Living and Working in the Keweenaw – New Video Showcase of “Michigan’s Top of the World” |
| An impactful new video highlighting the growth and success of technology business in the MTEC SmartZone is viewable at mtecsmart.com. The video was created to support the participation of the cities of Houghton and Hancock in the 2008 Michigan Municipal League Community Excellence Award. |
| MTEC SmartZone Awarded $500,000 for Business Programs |
| Michigan Economic Development Corporation has announced that MTEC SmartZone is being awarded $500,000 to provide business programs for startup technology companies. |
| MTEC SmartZone offers sales seminar starting October 1. |
| Sales professionals Robert Mark and Larry Chopp will conduct an 8-hour sales seminar that is applicable to businesses in the technical, industrial and retail industries. Please contact Jonathan Leinonen at <a href="mailto:jleinonen@mtecsz.com">jleinonen@mtecsz.com</a> for additional information. |