What is MTEC SmartZone?
MTEC SmartZone is the Western U.P.’s hub for entrepreneurship, based in Houghton-Hancock, Michigan.
We partner with local founders to help them develop their ideas into market-ready businesses through education, mentorship, resources, and strategic connections.
Our commercialization process and statewide network allow entrepreneurs to access the knowledge, funding, and people necessary to grow. We serve high-tech and small business entrepreneurs from all industries in pursuit of our mission to help build a prosperous regional economy.
At MTEC SmartZone, we turn wild ideas into wildly successful businesses.
Who Do We Serve?
Thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan has 20 distinct SmartZones across the state. Each SmartZone is a business accelerator designed to service a specific geographical location.
MTEC SmartZone is located in the Western Upper Peninsula, serving primarily the cities of Houghton and Hancock.
Where to Find Us
Lakeshore Center | Houghton
The Lakeshore Center offers shared office space for Michigan Tech, commercial tenants, MTEC SmartZone, and our clients. The building features upgraded office spaces, state-of-the-art technology, and conference facilities.
Skyline Commons | Hancock
Our Hancock location is in the building formerly known as the Jutila Center. The fourth-floor space now serves as the home of the 2025 AMMP Accelerator Program
Powerhouse | Houghton
One of our locations is home to our long time client, Orbion, offering beautiful views of the Portage—and even more impressive work happening inside. Once a source of power for the area, it now helps power satellites. From coal to ions, the evolution continues.
Michigan SmartZones
1. MTEC SmartZone – Houghton/Hancock
2. Innovate Marquette – Marquette
3. Sault Ste. Marie EDC – Sault Ste. Marie
4. Muskegon Innovation Hub – Muskegon
5. Spartan Innovations Grand Rapids
Start Garden – Grand Rapids
6. Lakeshore Advantage – Holland
7. Midland Business Alliance – Midland
8. CMURC – Mount Pleasant
9. St. Clair County EDA – Port Huron
10. Lansing Economic Area – Lansing/East Lansing
11. Battle Creek Unlimited – Battle Creek
12. WMed Innovation Center – Kalamazoo
13. Ann Arbor SPARK – Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti
14. Lean Rocket Lab – Jackson
15. Lenawee Now – Adrian/Tecumseh
16. OU INC – Rochester
17. Sterling Heights Velocity Center – Sterling Heights
18. Automation Alley – Troy
19. Centrepolis Accelerator – Southfield
20. Techtown – Detroit
