The Michigan Catalyst Advantage Network from BBCetc

Helping traditionally underserved business owners with SBIR-appropriate technology

BBCetc has been awarded a FAST (Federal and State Technology Partnership Program) grant from the Small Business Administration and we’re using it to create an initiative that supports underserved groups—women entrepreneurs, socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners, businesses in rural locations, and more.

The initiative is called MI-CAN (Michigan Catalyst Advantage Network) and it offers coaching, mentoring, and training specifically geared toward those entrepreneurs building successful STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) companies. Contributing consultants are MI-SBDC Tech Team, TechTown Detroit, and Forward Cities Detroit.

The program runs for eight-weeks and provides one-on-one assistance with innovators to coach, track progress, and provide additional referrals to state resources as needed to prepare the company and its technology for SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) funding. Training Includes:

• Entrepreneurial Readiness
• Customer Discovery and Market Research
• Value Proposition and Messaging
• Pitch Development
• Intro to VC and Angel Opportunities
• Plus speakers and coaching on navigating the systemic barriers and biases faced by under-represented founders and entrepreneurs

The program culminates in a Pitch Competition where participants present their technology and business models to judges from the Michigan business and investment communities. The winner receives a $5,000 cash prize.