Small Business Request for Information

MEDC seeks expert industry guidance through this Request for Information (RFI) for programs, services, and/or investment strategies that foster resilience and growth acceleration for Michigan small businesses.

Introduction:

This RFI seeks innovative, scalable, and implementation-ready solutions from for - and non-profit industry leaders – either as individuals, or as part of a strategic consortium, to best serve:

*For areas of expertise outside of small and medium manufacturer support, second-stage company support, and capital needs for small businesses, please use the "Other" form to provide guidance in small business development initiatives that help solve for the state’s most critical economic development needs.

Objective:

Through this RFI, in the three focus areas identified above, we seek input and information on:

Effective models for accelerating growth to small and medium-sized companies
Opportunities to expand or improve current resources and/or service delivery
Means for better peer-to-peer, industry, and/or entrepreneurial ecosystem partner coordination and connectivity
Capital tools to overcome specific industry barriers and/or gaps in market
New initiatives to enhance impact

This RFI is not a solicitation for funding or a commitment to issue a future solicitation. It is strictly for informational and planning purposes. Please only submit information related to your area(s) of expertise, in the interest of driving world class resources and support to Michigan small businesses.

Background:

This RFI leverages insights from recent direct and indirect small business development initiatives, as well as past and ongoing research and data analysis of the MEDC and other parties.

For the purposes of this RFI, please refer to the following definitions:

Small Business: for-profit entities with 500 employees or fewer and identifiable by one or more 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s)
Microbusiness: for-profit entities with 0-10 employees
Second Stage Company: for-profit entities with 11-99 employees
Startup Company: 0-3 years in operation
Early-Stage Company: 0-5 years in operation
Microbusiness: for-profit entities with 0-10 employees
Small to Medium Manufacturers: for-profit advanced manufacturing entities with fewer than 500 employees and less than $40 million in annual revenue
Reindustrialization: the process of revitalizing an industrial base, by modernizing production, investing in new technologies, strengthening supply chains, near- and/or re-shoring manufacturing
Industry 4.0 Technologies: hardware/software related to the following, but not limited to:
- Additive Manufacturing & Advanced Materials
- Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Modeling, Simulation, Visualization & Immersion
- Robotics & Automation
- Connected Worker Platforms & Wearables
- Silver Tsunami: a metaphor for the massive demographic shift caused by the aging of the Baby Boomer generation and increased longevity; Baby Boomers, who own a significant portion of Michigan small businesses, are reaching retirement age, leading to an unprecedented transfer of business ownership or permanent closure
- Capital Tools: Including, but not limited to: business credit cards; revolving lines of credit; equipment financing; purchase order financing; merchant cash advances; revenue-based financing; equity-based financing; private equity financing; angel investments

How to Submit Information:

Use the links below to access the appropriate form to submit information for this RFI. The RFI will close on April 10, 2026.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
These forms do not support saving your responses prior to submission. It is highly recommended that you review the form to understand the required information, collect that information so that it is accessible, and then complete the form.

Questions?

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions document. For other questions please email Bobby Chasnis at [email protected].