Small Business Support Hubs

Based on the success of the Small Business Support Hubs program, The MEDC has announced an upcoming funding opportunity for the next phase of the program. This initiative provides resources to support the expansion, operation, and scaling of small businesses through the continued work of support hubs or community incubators that promote innovation and entrepreneurship, foster local growth, and increase access to economic resources. 

The SBSH program raises awareness of local, state and federal resources and helps foster a collaborative culture among service providers to better support entrepreneurs across Michigan.

READ THE PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND ELIGIBILITY DETAILS

Application and Eligibility 

The application window will be open April 1, 2026 – June 1, 2026. An eligible applicant must be a non-profit organization that self-identifies as an entrepreneurial hub, is headquartered in Michigan and is in good standing with the state.

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Upon selection, awardees must also be registered or able to register for a federal Unique Entity ID and be eligible to do business with the federal government. Eligible applicants may include, but are not limited to:

• Business Service Organizations (“BSO”) / Entrepreneurial Service Organizations (“ESO”)
• Entrepreneurial hubs, business accelerators or business incubators  
• Tribal entities
• Other entities serving small business owners in diverse, rural and other underrepresented communities  

Eligible entrepreneurial hubs are entities that have a physical space that provides training and resources to entrepreneurs through a combination of direct services, remote services and referral relationships. 

• Direct services include on-site support through staff, contractors or strategic partnerships
• Remote services include off-site support through field staff, contractors or strategic partnerships
• Referral relationships, meaning partnerships with organizations, entities or individuals with distinct or complementary technical or culturally competent expertise 

Services provided by hubs may include one-on-one coaching, consultations, workshops, seminars, cohort-based learning, incubation and accelerator activities, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities. 

Timeline

Applications will be accepted from April 1, 2026, to June 1, 2026. Detailed information will be provided via a webinar on April 14, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM. Register for the webinar via the button below. A recording of the webinar will be made available following the event. 

WEBINAR REGISTRATION

• Application window:  April 1, 2026 – June 1, 2026  
• Informational Webinar: April 14, 2026
• Application review:  June 1, 2026 – June 29, 2026  
• Awardees announced: September 2026  

Please check back for more information including the application and all guidance needed for interested organizations to determine eligibility. You can also subscribe for program email notifications.

Program Background Information

The first iteration of the Small Business Support Hub Program (SBSH 1.0) received approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund in June 2023, following the passage of the $75 million Small Business Smart Zones and Business Accelerators initiative by the Michigan legislature. The program was funded by a one-time appropriation using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to create and operate programs to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Through a competitive application process, 27 Support Hubs across the state were selected to help entrepreneurs navigate Michigan's small business ecosystem and gain awareness of federal, state and local resources. Read about SBSH impact at: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/news/2024/02/small-business-support-hubs/. 

For Support Hubs that were awarded funding from the first funding round, please refer to the compliance webpage for compliance documents and information. Current Support Hubs have until September 30, 2026 to complete all compliance documents.

Additional Small Business Support Hubs Information

This year’s SBSH program will continue to focus on strengthening Michigan's small business support ecosystem by offering entrepreneurs specialized, local support, including one-on-one coaching, workshops, business accelerator activities, mentor matchmaking, pitch competitions, networking events and more. 

The program will build a true “hub and spoke” model of support within each Michigan Prosperity region. Awards will be issued for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend yearly for an additional two years – subject to performance, available funding and approval by MSF.

Questions?

Submit written questions to [email protected]. Questions will be monitored and addressed by program staff.