PODCAST - How SmartZones Across Michigan Continue To Work With Local High-Tech Entrepreneurs And Startups

Jeffrey Mosher spoke with Nadia AbuNasser, Federal & Development Projects Director for the MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative along with Dan RaDomski, Director, Centrepolis Accelerator, Southfield, MI. The gathered to discuss how SmartZones across Michigan continued to work with local high-tech entrepreneurs and startups to ensure they have the resources and support they need to continue innovating during coronavirus.

Hear Nadia, Dan and Jeffrey discuss this topic, in the podcast shared immeadiately below:

Michigan Business Network · How SmartZones across Michigan Continue to Work with Local High-Tech Entrepreneurs and Startups

Covered in this discussion include: Centrepolis Accelerator is one of 21 SmartZones, or business accelerators supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, across the state Located in Southfield, Centrepolis works to fuel the growth of Southeast Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs.
Centrepolis Accelerator is using its in-house 3D printers to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for local health care providers. In the past few months, Centrepolis has created face shields, s hooks, and tree hooks for mask support, door opener and button pusher tools, and nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing.
And finally how the MEDC supports Michigan’s Smartzones and high-tech entrepreneurs and startups.
And Centropolis Accelerator isn't alone:

While many aspects of Michigan’s economy are at a standstill due to COVID-19, SmartZones—business accelerators supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation—across the state are working with local high-tech entrepreneurs and startups to ensure they have the resources and support they need to continue innovating during the pandemic.

Across Metro Detroit, SmartZones in Detroit, Southfield and Rochester are have adapted to provide their communities support. For example:

• Centrepolis Accelerator is using its in-house 3D printers to make personal protective equipment (PPE) for local health care providers. In the past few months, Centrepolis has created face shields, s hooks and tree hooks for mask support, door opener and button pusher tools and nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing.
• In an effort to provide financial relief for its clients during COVID-19, OU INC has forgiven $10,405 in rent and $22,611 in deferred payments. Its client, DELRAY Systems, converted all of its 3D printing business to manufacturing more than 4,000 face shields and respirator parts, providing 3D printing supplies to other companies manufacturing 3d COVID-19 PPE gear. Despite the cost of operation, DELRAY donated 100% of the PPE gear and supplies while continuing to pay 100% of its employees.
• TechTown Detroit has deployed more than $1.2 million in grants to nearly 700 small businesses through the Detroit Small Business Stabilization Fund and the TechTown Small Business Stabilization Fund. Grants were given out to those who are low to moderate income and have businesses with less than 10 employees. The average grant was $1,700 and most businesses used the funds to cover payroll and pay rent. Sixty-three percent of the grantees were African American and 7% were Hispanic/Latinx