Michigan Business Innovation Association

01/01/2026

From all of us at MBIA, we wish you a healthy, happy, and successful New Year! 🥂

12/31/2025

Ready to take your business to the next level? 🚀

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program is coming to Velocity for a special Lunch & Learn on January 13, 2026!

Whether you're looking to scale your operations, increase revenue, or build a more sustainable business model, this is your chance to learn about a world-class program designed specifically for entrepreneurs like you.

Why attend?

Free Education: Learn about the 10KSB curriculum (designed by Babson College) which is fully funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.

Alumni Insights: Hear directly from an alumni panel about their experiences and how the program transformed their businesses.

Network: Connect with other local business owners in the Sterling Heights area.

Application Tips: Get practical advice on how to apply for the upcoming summer cohort.

Event Details: 📅 Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 ⏰ Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Location: Velocity, 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 🍱 Bonus: Complimentary lunch provided!

Eligibility Basics: The program typically looks for business owners with: ✅ At least 2 years in operation ✅ At least 2 employees (including the owner) ✅ Annual revenues between $75k and $20M

Don’t miss this opportunity to work on your business instead of just in it.

🔗 Register here: https://www.mivelocity.com/events/goldman-sachs-10k-lunch-learn/1-13-2026

Start the new year with a restorative sound healing experience designed to help your nervous system relax, unwind, and reset. Through the soothing vibrations of crystal bowls, chimes, and grounding frequencies, this gentle session invites your mind and body to soften and release built-up stress and....

12/29/2025

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Hosted by Emerge Innovation Hub, The 2026 Small Business Expo is coming to Benton Harbor.

Shop local, network with the best in the business, and enjoy a live fashion & hair show! It’s a full day of innovation, support, and connection.

📍 1100 Yore Ave, Benton Harbor 🗓️ Feb 28, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Don't miss out on Michigan’s premier small business event of the year.

Get your tickets: 🔗https://emergeinnovationhub.org/events/2026-small-business-expo

Mark your calendars! Are you a business owner, artist, or creator ready to get your brand seen? The Small Business Expo is back — and this is your moment to showcase what you do best. From products to artistry, we’re bringing together the best brands and talent in the Midwest for one major e

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

Stop guessing and start growing. 📈

Ann Arbor SPARK is offering Free Virtual Office Hours every Tuesday this December to help entrepreneurs navigate:

- Business Model & Value Prop

- Funding & Grant Readiness

- Operations & Compliance

- Digital Presence & E-commerce

Get 1:1 time with a Business Navigator and leave with a clear roadmap for your next steps.

👇 Register for a session today: https://annarborusa.org/event/virtual-business-navigator-office-hours-dec/

Book a 1:1 virtual session with a Business Navigator. These focused meetings are designed to help you overcome roadblocks, prioritize next steps, and connect with the right resources. Best for: Clarifying your business model and value proposition Light marketing & sales planning (audience, channels,...

12/19/2025

🎄 Supporting the Heart of Michigan’s Economy this Holiday Season

At the MBIA, we are passionate about the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our state forward. Whether it’s a tech startup in an incubator or an artisan at a local craft fair, small businesses are the engine of Michigan’s innovation.

This season, we’re highlighting the incredible small businesses and makers featured in The Gander’s latest guide to Michigan holiday markets. From the Christkindl Markt in Grand Rapids to Cadillac Square in Detroit, these markets showcase the creativity and grit that make our business community so unique.

Why we’re shopping local this year:

Strengthening Communities: Every dollar spent locally stays in Michigan.

Celebrating Makers: Supporting the risk-takers who build our local brands.

Fueling Growth: Small businesses are the foundation for future innovation.

Join us in celebrating Michigan’s small business community. Check out the full list of festive markets below and find a local favorite to support!

Read more: https://gandernewsroom.com/community/support-small-businesses-at-these-fab-michigan-holiday-markets/

For a festive vibe you just can’t find online, browse these merry and bright Michigan holiday markets and craft fairs to get your shopping done this year.

12/12/2025

☕ Join Us for Coffee & Conversation with Svitlana Balytska!

Velocity — an MBIA member — is hosting a powerful session on visualizing success and using vision boards to set meaningful goals for 2026.

📅 Dec 16, 2025

📍 Velocity Innovation Center, Sterling Heights, MI

🔗 Event link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-conversation-with-svitlana-balytska-tickets-1967745651213

If you’re looking to gain clarity, set intentions, and kickstart the new year with purpose, this is a great opportunity to connect and get inspired.

12/10/2025

Are your team's wellness initiatives falling flat? 📉

Join the Positive Links Speaker Series to learn why traditional "add-on" wellness programs aren't working and discover a science-backed blueprint for creating a genuinely thriving team culture.

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, hear from Dr. Katina Sawyer, co-author of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. She will show you how to become a "Generator"—a leader who cultivates connection and turns employee experience into the true driver of well-being.

📢 MBIA encourages all members and business leaders to attend this insightful, free session!

It's time to shift from checking a box to building a culture where everyone thrives!

Event Details: 🗓️ Date: Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST) 💲 Cost: Free

Register and learn more here: https://annarborusa.org/event/positive-links-speaker-series-leading-for-wellness-how-to-create-a-team-culture-where-everyone-thrives/

12/03/2025

The Hidden Force Behind Global Entrepreneurship: Meet InBIA 🧠

When a startup succeeds, we celebrate the founder. But behind many of those success stories are the professionals running business incubators, accelerators, and innovation centers. The International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) is the organization empowering these ecosystem builders.

Founded in 1985 with just 12 members, InBIA has grown into a global community of over 1,200 members across 30+ countries. They don't work directly with startups—they equip the people who do.

InBIA delivers impact through professional training like their flagship Entrepreneurship Center Management (ECM) certificate program, extensive research and best practices, and conferences that connect members worldwide to collaborate on solutions.

The entrepreneurs solving today's biggest challenges need more than good ideas—they need structured support, strategic guidance, and connections. InBIA ensures the professionals providing that support have the tools to excel.

By professionalizing entrepreneur support and fostering global collaboration, InBIA is building a future where entrepreneurial opportunity is both widespread and equitable.

The Michigan Business Incubation Association (MBIA) is encouraging its members to explore InBIA membership. Joining connects you to global best practices, professional development opportunities, and a community of ecosystem builders committed to entrepreneurial success.

Learn more at www.inbia.org

InBIA is a global non-profit with over 1,200 members that lead entrepreneurship support organizations in 30 countries. InBIA provides industry best practices through education while enabling collaboration, mentorship, peer-based learning, and the sharing of innovative ideas for entrepreneurs across....

11/28/2025

💙 Support Michigan Small Businesses This Season

Small businesses make up 99.6% of all Michigan businesses and employ nearly 1.9 million Michiganders. They drive innovation, create jobs, and sustain the character of our communities.

As we celebrate Small Business Saturday, the Detroit Regional Chamber is spotlighting events across the region to make shopping local easy and meaningful. Every purchase matters — 68 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the community.

Learn more here: https://www.detroitchamber.com/shop-small-detroit-region-small-business-saturday-2025/

This season, choose Michigan-made whenever you can. Small actions create big impact.

At MBIA, we’re proud to support the entrepreneurs building Michigan’s future.

Support local businesses in the Detroit Region this Small Business Saturday and help boost your community's economy and vitality.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from MBIA!

As we gather with family and friends today, the entire team at MBIA wants to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude.

We are deeply thankful for our dedicated staff, our valued partners, and the incredible community we are privileged to serve. Your support and commitment are the foundation of everything we do.

May your day be filled with warmth, delicious food, and joyful moments.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

11/25/2025

🔍 Discover Who Your Customers Are — Before Building Your Startup

Join the free two-part workshop: Customer Discovery – The Secret to Startup Success, presented by Ann Arbor SPARK.

Session 1 (Dec 4, 2025): Learn the core customer discovery concepts, how to frame questions, and how to conduct effective interviews.

Session 2 (Dec 10, 2025): Get hands‑on practice creating your own customer discovery plan with feedback from expert coaches.

The event is virtual and free — perfect for startups, early-stage founders, and anyone building a new product or business.

👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/customer-discovery-the-secret-to-startup-success-tickets-1854866077369

If you’re serious about building something that matters, this workshop is a must!