News & Stories
MTEC Monthly October 2025
As fall settles over the Keweenaw and the colors fade, MTEC SmartZone continues to celebrate innovation. This month, we highlighted 4 MTEC clients that were named on Renaissance Venture Capital’s 2026 Hotlist. Team Peninsula met to discuss Michigan Tech’s growth and...
Team Peninsula Meets with MTU President Rick Koubek to Discuss Michigan Tech’s Growth
In September, members of Team Peninsula gathered for a discussion with Rick Koubek, president of Michigan Technological University. Formed in 2018, Team Peninsula is a collection of volunteer leaders, business owners, and government representatives committed to...
Entrepreneurs Connect Through 1 Million Cups in the Keweenaw
This fall, the Keweenaw’s local leaders gathered over coffee at The Continental Fire Co. to continue the nationwide tradition of connecting entrepreneurs, innovators and community members eager to support small businesses and new ideas. The gathering is known as 1...
MTEC SmartZone Clients Part of Renaissance Venture Capital’s 2026 Hotlist
Each year, Renaissance Venture Capital releases a list of Michigan’s most promising early-stage companies. This list is called Renaissance’s “Hotlist” – a carefully selected database of startups expected to raise capital in the next 12-18 months. Selected from...
MTEC Monthly September 2025
As the seasons change, MTEC SmartZone is moving forward with fresh opportunities and exciting achievements. This month, we celebrated Sequestro’s first-place win at TCNewTech, opened applications for the 2026 AAMP Accelerator, highlighted the Going PRO Talent Fund...
Small Business Support Hub Success Story: Gabby’s Guppies
One of the recipients of support through our Small Business Support Hub is Gabby’s Guppies, a locally owned childcare center offering play-based early education in a nurturing, family-centered environment. Founded by Gabby Hodges, Gabby’s Guppies is helping to fill a...
Sequestro Wins First Place at September’s TCNewTech Pitch Competition
Congratulations to Sequestro, Inc. for receiving first place at the September 2025 TCNewTech pitch competition! TCNewTech is a community-based pitch competition for entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and business leaders to showcase their innovations. Based in...
MTEC SmartZone Welcomes Wayne Gersie to Its Board of Directors
Houghton-Hancock, Mich. – Monday, September 29, 2025 - MTEC SmartZone is pleased to announce Wayne Gersie to its Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of experience that will help advance our mission of accelerating business growth in the Western Upper Peninsula....
Apply Now: Going PRO Talent Fund Grant Opens October 1
The Going PRO Talent Fund is designed to help employers train, develop, and retain current and newly hired employees. In order for training to be effective, it should be short-term, address a demonstrated need, and lead to a recognized industry credential. By...