Houghton, MI — [November 21, 2025]— The MTEC SmartZone was awarded a $400,000 grant from the MEDC Michigan Innovation Fund on October 28, 2025. These funds will help to expand MTEC’s continued support for Michigan-based entrepreneurs, startups, and innovative high-tech businesses.
This investment is part of Michigan’s growing commitment to strengthening its startup and innovation ecosystem. These efforts fuel the state’s population growth, support research commercialization, and help retain and attract top talent.
“This funding enables MTEC to launch its Acquiring Customers and Talent (ACT) Program, addressing the most pressing challenges facing early-stage companies: go-to-market strategy, acquiring first customers, and skilled workforce access,” said Grace Hsia Haberl Ms.E., Program Director at MTEC. “We’re focused on nurturing the critical early stages where companies define their product-to-market fit and founders decide where to build their businesses and early-stage teams! By getting both pieces right, we can transform our region’s innovation potential into lasting economic impact.”
MTEC ACT Program: From Technology to Market
Through this funding, MTEC SmartZone will initially support startups by helping Acquire Customers. This effort is a multi-phase initiative designed to identify and address gaps in business development, marketing, and sales for startups and small businesses.
The ACT program serves a wide range of companies—from pre-revenue startups testing product-market fit to growth-stage businesses scaling their operations. The program is tailored to meet clients where they are and identify their most pressing business needs.
After stage identification, each client undergoes a customized development process that includes strategic planning, branding, market research, sales training, lead generation, and customer discovery. The goal is to help technical founders develop the commercial capabilities needed to achieve sustainable growth.
In addition to helping startups acquire customers, MTEC SmartZone will also enhance talent retention by connecting Michigan-based companies and founders with skilled talent and workforce resources to promote Michigan as a great place to live and work.
Through these efforts, MTEC will help match skilled talent with startups and local employers, connect entrepreneurs to housing, childcare, and workforce programs, and collaborate with local universities to retain highly educated founders. The initiative recognizes that talent retention requires more than job opportunities—it requires a complete ecosystem that supports both professional growth and quality of life.
Strengthening Michigan’s Innovation and Talent Pipeline
The intent of these funds is to create a more innovative ecosystem where skilled professionals can find meaningful opportunities right here in Michigan. This isn’t a short-term project, but a strategic investment to ensure regional prosperity.
Hsia Haberl adds, “By investing in both talent and technology and business acceleration, MTEC hopes to foster long-term economic growth throughout the Keweenaw and Upper Peninsula and Michigan, creating a model for rural innovation ecosystems nationwide.”
Cynthia Neil, a development specialist in Western Iowa says, “MTEC’s talent retention initiative empowers rural communities to showcase their pioneering spirit, grit, and support for local champions. Founders and highly skilled professionals will thrive in communities where connecting with neighbors and creating positive social impact is a way of life. Michigan’s investment in the MTEC ACT is a model for fostering economic and social innovation in rural communities.”
Over the next 24 months, MTEC expects to serve over 160 companies through the Acquiring Customers and Talent (ACT) Program and facilitate talent placements through this Initiative, contributing to the creation of high-tech jobs in the region. The team responsible for MTEC ACT is responsible for the MTEC Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program (AMMP) Accelerator, which has advised 257 companies in two years and helped its cohort companies expand into 4 production sites and develop commercialization plans for 16 products in the commercialization pipeline. Founders have raised over $3.718M in funding.
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About MTEC SmartZone Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) SmartZone is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization directed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), their mission is to accelerate high-tech businesses growth in the region. Since 2003, MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies that has led to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton/Hancock area. For more information, visit mtecsz.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook, and email mtec@mtecsz.com.