Entrepreneur Center

Lenawee Now has created the Entrepreneur Series for any entrepreneur who wants to make their dream come true and successfully establish their own business in Lenawee County. Offering a wide variety of entrepreneurial services, the Entrepreneur Series is designed to help entrepreneurs launch their business.

Here at Lenawee Now, we realize that the art of entrepreneurship is a unique skill that comes in many shapes and sizes. Therefore, we are interested in working with start-ups in any industry. There are no basic criteria required in order to work with our team. Lenawee Now is willing to offer its entrepreneurial services to any candidate with the will power and motivation to make their entrepreneurial idea come to life!

Gary Clemetson

Contact

Gary Clemetson
Director of Entrepreneurial Services
517-265-5141
Gary@LenaweeNow.org

Entrepreneurial Services 

Square One

Entrepreneurship starts at square one with an original idea and can blossom into a billion-dollar business. That’s the premise of Lenawee Now’s business idea pitch contest: Square One. Lenawee Now designed Square One to encourage budding entrepreneurs to share their ideas. Several finalists are chosen to pitch their ideas at a public event. Judges choose the winner and runner up, who receive a cash prize and further mentoring to see if their idea can be turned into a reality.

Launch Lenawe

Launch Lenawee is part of the LaunchMyCity family of programs, built by Rotarians and their community partners to develop programs so entrepreneurs can access capital and community support.  The six-month program has four pillars:  mentoring, education, networking, and microloans.  Students in the program will meet with their mentor each month, attend classes, and meet business community members through networking events.

Launch Lenawee has the support of many entrepreneurial resources within Lenawee County, including Lenawee Now.  Lenawee Now participates as an advisory board member, furnishes class instructors and support services for program participants.

Graduates of the Launch Lenawee program are then referred to Lenawee Now’s Business Acceleration Team.

Business Acceleration Team (BAT)

A team of Adrian College and Siena Heights University interns, led and mentored by our team, work each semester with new and existing Lenawee Now clients with customer discovery, startup planning, marketing, business plans, and financial pro formas. The common goal among projects is strategizing resources to give the client the best opportunity to receive financing. This rigorous program provides interns with practical application of what they have been learning in the classroom and exposes them to real-life business situations preparing them for professional careers.

Lenawee Investment Opportunity Network (LION) Fund

There are many steps to launching a new company, including securing capital to cover crucial startup expenses. Often, traditional funding isn’t a feasible option at the early stage of development, which can hinder or stall a new business. To increase entrepreneurial activities in Lenawee County, a group of investors and Lenawee Now created the Lenawee Investment Opportunity Network Fund (LION Fund). Designed to provide entrepreneurs and startups access to the necessary funding to start or expand a small business, each of the local investors have contributed to the economic success of Lenawee, including ProMedica who has kick-started the fund with a generous donation of $250,000.

Adrian-Tecumseh SmartZone

SmartZone

The Adrian/Tecumseh SmartZone is a state-authorized and financially supported tax increment financial district where local units of government can provide incentives and programs that support expanding and developing high-tech businesses.

Adrian Innovation Center (AIC)

This Adrian College program was developed as part of the effort to bring the Smartzone resources to Lenawee County. The AIC assists entrepreneurs through all stages of developing a business from conceptualizing a business idea to providing actual office space. The AIC offers two incubation packages, physical incubation or virtual incubation. Each package includes but is not limited to the access of amenities such as desktop computers, printers, copiers, and wifi.

Other Entrepreneurial Resources

Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition

Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition – This international business plan competition which highlights Michigan as a robust and vibrant venue for innovation and business opportunity. The competition fuels innovation-based business growth by uncovering the best and brightest new business concepts from local and global entrepreneurs, exposing those opportunities to potential investment capital and fostering their growth within Michigan.

Entrepreneur-You Business Plan Competition
Jackson College Entrepreneurship Program

Jackson College Entrepreneurship Program offers associate degree or certificate programs in entrepreneurship. Students will identify their own driving passion, their distinctive talents, and to help them put together a thorough plan for transforming their ideas into reality.

Michigan Growth Symposium

Michigan Growth Symposium – Hosted by the University of Michigan Ross School of Business this symposium brings together investors and entrepreneurs and features a nice pitch track.

Michigan Social Entrepreneur Challenge

Michigan Social Entrepreneur Challenge – Does your company have a core social mission? This challenge rewards social entrepreneurs annually with a variety of prizes and rewards.

Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC)

Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) enhances Michigan’s economic well-being by providing confidential one-on-one counseling, business plan development, business education and training, marketing strategies, market research, information-based planning, and technology commercialization for new ventures, existing businesses, growing businesses, and advanced technology companies.

SCORE

SCORE is a non-profit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses. SCORE provides free and confidential advice plus mentoring tailored to meet the needs of small businesses. SCORE also offers workshops for a modest fee for both start-up and in-business entrepreneurs. Contact Lenawee Now to get in touch with a local SCORE mentor.

Toolbox Booklet

Lenawee Now Toolbox

Lenawee Now offers a variety of resources and incentives to help support and enhance business growth for new and existing businesses. We have the tools, you have the ideas – let’s get to work!