Weekly Resource #9 – FABLAB

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logoWEBWhat is a FABLAB? 

The FABLAB (Digital Fabrication Laboratory) at Mott Community College in Flint, MI is one of the newest additions to the RTC (Regional Technology Center) and is part of an international initiative launched by MIT, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship (for a complete list of FABLABs around the world, click here).  Mott’s FABLAB is focused on the use of digital fabrication technologies that will drive the future of product development.  The lab is designed to support the creativity and innovation of individuals to turn ideas into products.  The lab provides access to sophisticated prototyping equipment, at a reasonable cost, with the user primarily responsible for moving ideas to products.

The FABLAB is part of a mid-Michigan effort to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.  The e-TEAM (Entrepreneurship Team), managed by the Flint and Genesee Chamber of Commerce, offers a full suite of services and over 20 service providers organized to take products to market.  It is also part of the USFLN (U.S. FABLAB Network) which connects institutions across the nation interested in sharing product development and training information.

Equipment available: 50 watt Laser, Electronics Bench, Roland Vinyl Cutter, CADD Tools, Rapid Prototype Machine, ShopBot CNC Router, and Torchmate CNC Plasma Cutter.

If you are an existing business, a student, an inventor or a creative soul with a great idea, you can have access to personalized product prototyping.  The FABLAB is open to MCC students, businesses, and to the general public through a variety of packaged options.

For more FABLAB information and lab hours, visit www.mcc.edu/fablab or call 810-232-4553.

Weekly Resource #8 – Michigan eLibrary

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In addition to the plethora of digital resources already available to residents through MeL, Michigan’s eLibrary, state funding just made even more research and reference materials available to businesses and entrepreneurs.  (A quick internet search confirmed other states offer similar services.)

How Do These Resources Help You and Your Business?

Research and data are critical at every stage of business development and growth.  While it’s widely assumed entrepreneurs are risk takers, the truth is, people who start and grow successful ventures mitigate real and perceived risks through very careful planning and analysis of relevant data at every stage of the process.

In the Idea or Startup Stage, data is used to identify competitors, define your customer demographic, estimate product or service costs, validate market needs, and prepare the financial section of your business plan in order to secure funding.

Established business poised for growth can use these research tools to analyze the competition, identify new markets, learn about exporting regulations and opportunities, and explore new product or service deliveries.

All businesses involved in product development needs data to analyze the competition, validate a market need for the concept, determine the best materials and processes for manufacturing, understand target customers and how to reach them, apply for and secure a patent, and determine the costs and price of your goods.

What’s Available?

DemographicsNow: Business & People – Business & demographic data to assess business viability, create sales leads & mailing lists, complete location analysis and business plans, analyze population trends, and find potential sponsors and donors.

Business Insights: Global – A variety of international learning and research tools organized by country, company, and industry.

BusinessDecision – Uses Census data and state of the art mapping technology to present consumer market data, including the Tapestry lifestyle segmentation system, consumer spending data, demographic & housing data, population estimates, and forecasts.

A complete listing of business and job resources available can be found here.

Weekly Resource #7 – National Small Business Week

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topright-headerSince 1963, Entrepreneurs and Small businesses have been honored with a week dedicated to their success and critical contributions to America’s economy. The Small Business Association (SBA) celebrates this week by offering a collection of educational presentations, networking events, and business workshops in five different cities around the country. Don’t fret if you do not live near one of the five cities! SBA is also offering multiple Google+ hangouts that will be streamed at their website and on YouTube as the week progresses.

Starting June 17th in Seattle, Dallas on the 18th, St. Louis on the 19th, Pittsburgh on the 20th, and ending in D.C. on the 21st, these five days of seminars and workshops will cover topics ranging from exporting to social media marketing. The SBA has packed the week with all things small business and will be bringing many prominent speakers to the stage to spread their expertise and to answer questions.

Check out the Schedule for a detailed breakdown of events in each city and don’t forget to Register for your respective city.

Weekly Resource #6 – Inner City Capital Connections

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ICIC logo - Copy

Is your small business in an economically distressed city?

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a free, national program designed to help you access the capital necessary to achieve sustainable growth & provide employment opportunities for residents.

Brought to you by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), ICCC provides financial education and peer-to-peer mentoring for investment-ready companies and facilitates relationships with debt & equity providers and business strategy experts.  Participants gain practice and a thorough understanding of how to successfully pitch their business to capital investors.

Companies in 133 cities and 35 states have already leveraged this training with successful results.  Eighty-nine percent of them raised capital within 2 years of participation and 55% did so within a year.  Could you be next?  ICIC is now accepting applications for upcoming executive education seminars in the following cities:

Cleveland     –     Detroit

Designed for company owners and taught by respected experts, this interactive program explores  a variety of business finance options and teaches the importance of building your capacity to successful prepare for and manage the subsequent growth.  Select participants will earn the opportunity to showcase their learning and market their companies at the ICCC Conference at Fortune Magazine in New York City.  Past participants have been featured in such esteemed publications as:  The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Inc., Portfolio, PE Hub, MSN Money, and Small Business Television.

Successful applicants have represented diverse industries & backgrounds, but all are of sufficient size and strength to attract the growth capital needed to increase revenues and jobs in their inner cities.  If this sounds like you, click here for application information:  Cleveland; Detroit.

Weekly Resource #5 – BBC Webinar Series

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bbc logoGot technology?  BBC can help you get it to market.

BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting advises tech-based entrepreneurs and companies around the country on technology assessments, grant funding eligibility and proposal development, commercialization and business planning, and grant and contract management.

One of their core strengths is helping clients win federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  Through June, BBC is hosting a series SBIR / STTR grant training webinars on a variety of subjects, including general information about the programs and requirements, proposal writing, budget planning, and records compliance.  Click here to see the complete list and register for the one that’s right for you.

Weekly Resource #4 – NewME Detroit Popup

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NewmeAre you in the beginning stages of forming a Startup?

NewME is bringing their San Francisco based Startup Accelerator to Detroit for 3 nights of pitch development classes and one-on-one coaching at TechTown.

Each of the three nights, starting May 29th, will consist of one-on-one coaching where participants will have their business plans critiqued by experienced business coaches. Following this, entrepreneurs will attend a series of hands-on classes that will teach them the art of the business pitch. The program will wrap up with a demo day which will give participants the chance to network with the people of Detroit’s tech scene as well as special guests from Silicon Valley. Participant’s could also receive the opportunity to pitch their business plan to a panel of judges for a chance to become one of the few to be selected for a slot in the 2013 NewME Accelerator class and a prize pack from the product sponsors.

Click here for more information and to register.

Weekly Resource #2 – Federal Exporting Twitter Hangout

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Looking for new opportunities?  Consider exporting.

In celebration of World Trade Month (May 2013),  and in support of President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI), several U.S. government agencies and organizations are joining to answer export questions for U.S. companies new to exporting or ready to expand into different markets.

Connect directly with representatives who can answer your questions via Twitter about export opportunities and solutions, export financing, and the federal resources available to help you begin or expand exporting your goods and services to international markets.

Join this Q & A for U.S. companies by adding #TradeChat and tweeting your questions during the following scheduled times or submit your questions in advance and then just follow along (see below).  Agencies will respond to as many Tweets and questions on the topic as possible.

Thursday, May 9th at 2:00pm EDT: Export Opportunities

Thursday, May 16th at 2:00pm EDT:  Financing

Thursday, May 23rd at 2:00pm EDT:  Training and Travel Opportunities

Submit your questions in advance via this online form: http://www.ustda.gov/TradeChat or simply sign into your Twitter account at the start time and use #TradeChat to participate.

Participating organizations include the following export, trade & finance related agencies across the federal government:

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency
International Trade Administration
Small Business Administration
BusinessUSA
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Department of State

Learn more…

Weekly Resource #1 – Bizdom’s Online Entrepreneurial Training

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BizdomBizdom’s Online Entrepreneurial Training – Module 1:  The Culture of an Entrepreneur

Brought to you by Bizdom, a non-profit providing accelerator services to startups in Detroit and Cleveland.

Bizdom’s 4 online training modules, each a collection of readings, presentations and actions for you to complete, are designed to help you take your business from idea to execution.  Module 1 includes a link to a personal SWOT analysis, used to evaluate the internal and external Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats you will face as an entrepreneur.  These results are critical to developing and executing your business model.

For more information or to begin your personal SWOT analysis, click here.