Michigan Business Success Stories

Argall Real Estate Group

Real estate broker Ben Argall is pursuing his passion for the U.P. with help from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s placemaking support, including the Build MI Community Grant initiative

NuStep

The Plymouth-based manufacturer has expanded its global footprint to over 40 countries, thanks to International Trade support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Kimberlite

Trying to “get out of the dirt” led engineers and avid backpackers Casey McKellar and Robin Petersen to design a rugged, ultra-lightweight, packable table, and dive into the entrepreneurial life with support from the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and others.

Pangoo Apparel

When Detroit startup founder Sara Chen designed climbing pants to fit women’s bodies and feature pockets deep enough for a water bottle, she found a route less traveled that’s leading to a successful lifestyle brand with support from the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office

Able Medical Devices

Upper Peninsula-based manufacturer creates global reach with support from the MEDC through the System for Integrated Growth and the Michigan Business Development Program

We ReUse

A designer and manufacturer of reusable stainless steel foodware products is helping to make the world a greener place through support from the MEDC’s Supply Chain Resiliency team

Groovy Donuts

Celebrating 10 years in business, Groovy Donuts owners Monica and Andrew Gauthier reflect on how the MEDC’s Small Business Support Hubs resources helped them grow their groovy baked goods business.

APEX Controls

Thanks to expansion support from the MEDC’s Michigan Business Development Program, APEX Controls has grown to an “army of people” ready to tackle large-scale automation and electrical controls projects, with an unmatched collaborative culture.

CircNova

As one of 17 startups selected for a Google initiative and recipient of a state support grant, CircNova is using a proprietary AI engine to accelerate development of new therapies for ovarian cancer and other disorders using circular RNA.

Michigan Arts and Culture Council Rising Leaders Program

Heading into its sixth cohort, MACC’s Rising Leaders program has been developing and uplifting the state’s arts and culture leaders since 2018

Dean Martin and the CEDAM Community Development Fellowship

Created in 2018 in partnership with and funded by the MEDC, CEDAM’s Community Development Fellowship helps Michigan’s communities address common challenges. Dean Martin, now serving as the village manager of Mackinaw City, built his skills through a 15-month fellowship in Charlevoix.

McKeon Products, Inc.

With the help of MEDC International Trade Services, the makers of Mack’s Earplugs have found new export markets in the European Union, Asia and Australia.

The Patient Company

A Grand Rapids-based medical device startup developed a product for making lateral patient transfers safer with support from the MEDC-funded Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization for Life Sciences Innovation Hub

EZ Awareness By Design

With mentorship from the MEDC-supported Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, EZ Awareness By Design won the Moving Flint Forward grant, allowing them to invest in essential resources, purchase inventory in bulk and create inclusive job opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Payload CMS

James Mikrut had an idea to fix a big problem in web development: the gap between design and code. With the support of MEDC-backed incubator Start Garden in Grand Rapids, he grew Payload CMS into a company that’s been acquired by a rising giant.

Shape Corp.

The Grand Haven-based engineering and manufacturing company recruited hundreds of new hires and upskilled its existing workforce with the help of the MEDC’s Talent Action Team

Walter French and Capital Area Housing Partnership

With support from the Revitalization and Placemaking grant program, a former school in Lansing became a haven of affordable housing and wraparound services, to give everyone a place to call home.

Blueflite

From idea to impact—Blueflite is soaring thanks to Michigan’s support

AGI Construction’s Design Build Green Hub

Tanya Saldivar-Ali and Luis Ali bring together historic preservation and green design practices with the development of a Southwest Detroit hub for local contractors, supported by a Build MI Community grant

GLOBAL Automation Technologies

An Auburn Hills-based industrial automation company grows into a national and international player with support from the MEDC’s International Trade services