Advising Across Campus
Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) – offers a wide variety of ENTR curricular and co-curricular advising opportunities for students, including concepts/ventures looking for one-on-one mentorship. Available to individuals and teams looking to explore the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Michigan.
Zell Lurie Institute (ZLI) – providing business-focused entrepreneurial advising, staff advice on business concepts, course selection, program issues, student-led fund questions, or any other entrepreneurial concerns that students or alU-Mni face.
The Zell Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (ZEC) – provides general educational information concerning legal issues common to start-up ventures. Through weekly office hours, clinic faculty and students meet with hundreds of entrepreneurs each year and provide hundreds of hours of legal information to individuals and organizations throughout the U-M campus. (LAW)
Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Career Empowerment and Leadership (EXCEL) – School of Music, Theatre and Dance offers 1:1 advising for students interested in their 15 credit minor: Performing Arts Management in Entrepreneurship; and for early stage ventures entrepreneurs in the arts. (SMTD)
UX Design Lab – offers the only UX consulting service serving entrepreneurs in the Michigan area, including U-M students. We care deeply about helping our clients solve their problems, and we take our mission to provide intentional, research-backed advice seriously. (SI)
U-M Design Clinic – offers students and area entrepreneurs’ weekly walk-in advising opportunities in addition to longer-term consultation based on client need. Teams of students with beginner to advanced skills in human computer interaction and project management will offer services to clients and actively mentor each other. (SI)
U-M Minor in Entrepreneurship – this 15-credit minor equips undergraduate students from any background or area of study with the necessary skills and experience to translate ideas into real impact in the arts, sciences, commercial, and social areas. For course and program advising, please contact EntrepreneurshipMinor@umich.edu to set up an appointment.
Entrepreneurship: Building Rewarding Ventures Collection – learn more about the elements of starting, sustaining, and succeeding at entrepreneurial ventures. Within our modern world, innovative ideas routinely grow into impactful businesses, products, and pursuits. The Entrepreneurship Collection details the ins and outs of the world of startups and business ventures from many perspectives. (CIA)
Ultimate guide on how to start a start-up at U-M – Student written guide for Entrepreneurship & Innovation ecosystem to incorporate in consulting sessions as they see fit.
Curricular Opportunities
Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation – the 12-credit certificate program is open to currently-enrolled, degree-seeking students in a Master’s, PhD or professional degree programs at the Ann Arbor campus. (CFE)
Learning Experience Design Graduate Certificate – this is a 12-credit program offered to graduate students that aims to create students that have an understanding of the foundations of learning theories, curricul U-M design and educational technology. Students will also have the opportunity to learn practical hands-on skills in learning and design. Over half of the 12-credits will be completed at CAI where students will have a 180 hour residency. (CAI and SOE)
Living Business Leadership Experience – a course where students work with a company and team of students to establish and run real, profitable enterprises. (Ross)
Cappo Sales Track – available to undergraduate from all schools/college, this program will help you 1) Get to know the sales function and what it means to work in sales, 2) Study business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consU-Mer (B2C) sales, and 3) Explore career development and recruiting opportunities for jobs in sales. (Ross)
Entrepreneurship Minor – this 15-credit minor equips undergraduate students from any background or area of study with the necessary skills and experience to translate ideas into real impact in the arts, sciences, commercial, and social sectors. For more information, email entrepreneurshipminor@umich.edu.
U-M Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystem – comprehensive website for opportunities at U-M
U-M Design Clinic – offers students and area entrepreneurs’ weekly walk-in advising opportunities in addition to longer-term consultation based on client need. Teams of students with beginner to advanced skills in human computer interaction and project management will offer services to clients and actively mentor each other. (SI)
+Impact Studio – Ross
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Entrepreneurial Leadership Program – provides deep training and mentorship for a select cohort of students to develop the functional, managerial, and leadership skills that differentiate the good from the great entrepreneurs. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from any school or college regardless of major. It is a year-long commitment, January-December.
Perot Jain TechLab at Mcity – Perot Jain TechLab (PJTL) at Mcity supported by Ford Motor Company provides students with unique opportunities to experience entrepreneurship by working with startup companies that are building the future. The program pairs emerging transportation startups (Post-series A funding) with top-tier undergraduate and master’s students studying Engineering, Computer Science, and Data Analytics interested in tackling industry challenges defined by exploratory technical projects, with the goal of educating students through mentorship and immersive interaction with high-growth ventures. The program places a heavy emphasis on student learning by matching industry-backed CAV startups with hand-picked students interested in applying classroom learning to real-world technology development. This is a two-semester program.
Perot Jain TechLab Electrification – PJTL Electrification provides students with unique opportunities to experience entrepreneurship by working with startup companies that are building the future, specifically regarding the electrification of transportation, everything from power electronics, micro-grid, power electronics, batteries, metering, to full vehicles. The program pairs emerging EV startups (Post-series A funding) with top-tier undergraduate and master’s students studying Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science Engineering interested in tackling industry challenges defined by exploratory technical projects, with the goal of educating students through mentorship and immersive interaction with high-growth ventures. This is a two-semester program.
Perot Jain TechLab Climate Change – an application-based program brings together talented graduate and undergraduate students from various disciplines such as computer science, data analytics, chemical engineering, material science, robotics, business, and sustainability. By joining, you will have the chance to gain practical experience working with emerging Carbontech companies on immersive projects that address real-world challenges. Learn directly from industry leaders who utilize their own businesses as case studies, providing you with valuable insights.
Innovation Theme Living Learning Community – living learning community for first year students that are interested in Innovation. The Innovation Community will focus on providing guidance to residents as they navigate the entrepreneurial network that will help students make the most of their Michigan experience. (Residence Education)
Healthcare Innovation Impact Program
Multidisciplinary Design Program
Design Jam – a design jam is a 2 to 3 hour event at which graduate students from the School of Information, including Health Informatics, who are studying human computer interaction (HCI), respond to real-world, user-centered design problems directly for sponsoring companies. (SI)
Barger Leadership Institute – a flexible leadership program for any Michigan undergraduate student that combines curricular and experiential learning offerings that create authentic learning experiences where one can cultivate leadership habits and start their life-long commitment to leadership learning. (LSA)
Business+Impact – whether you know exactly what you want or are searching for the right spark, opportunities abound. Dive into coursework and action-based learning grounded in proven approaches, as well as exciting new explorations into how mission-driven organizations across sectors can accelerate solutions to the greatest challenges of our time. (Ross)
Center for Academic Innovation – we are designing the future of learning through research, innovation, experimentation, and iteration. We believe an informed, peaceful, equitable, and empowered society is dependent on learners everywhere adopting a learning lifestyle, and educational institutions creating and disseminating new knowledge to provide sustainable solutions to: Advance Learning, Facilitate Problem Solving, Foster Equity and Inclusivity, Increase Access and Affordability
Opportunities to Visit Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Discovery Treks – interested in learning more about startups and innovation hubs across Michigan: in Ann Arbor, Detroit or other notable entrepreneurial ecosystems? CFE offers students in all schools and colleges exclusive Discovery Treks! Each fall and winter semester CFE curates immersive treks to Michigan’s startup ecosystems for a select number of students to engage with founders, their teams, and influential alU-Mni! These 1-day trips are by application only, with day-of transportation and meals provided through CFE. (CFE) will need new link on new site
EXCEL at NYC – each May, EXCEL takes 25 students to New York City! They spend the weekend going behind-the-scenes of Broadway and some of the city’s leading performing arts organizations. Current SMTD students, including those who will graduate in April, are eligible to apply. (SMTD)
Venture Development
IDEATE (form an idea/team-looking for the idea)
Barger Leadership Institute Capstone Experience – the Capstone Experience at BLI supports undergraduate students in designing and implementing evidence-based, collaborative projects that seek to bring about small (and big) wins for the complex, ambiguous problems that exist in our deeply interconnected world. Through generous funding and extensive mentorship, student teams will write a research proposal; collect and analyze sound, rigorous evidence; develop a project; create a budget; implement the project. BLI will provide funding up to $15,000, individualized mentorship, research and project management training, and many opportunities to master effective leadership habits. (LSA)
Business+Tech – a hub that gives U-M students the opportunity to discover events, resources, co-curricular experiences, action-based courses, and other opportunities. Explore the relationship between business and technology, and develop skills to navigate this important domain. They offer programs such as the +Tech Innovation Jam, Datathon, and +Tech Literacy Download. (Ross)
Innovate4Change – a nursing student-led hackathon that aims to bring together an interdisciplinary group of U-M students over five weeks, where they can collaborate and expand their skills related to innovation and leadership. (School of Nursing)
Innovation in Action – IIA harnesses the talents and passions of Michigan students to address society’s biggest problems. It provides a supportive community in which students of any discipline come together to develop an innovator’s toolkit for tackling real-world challenges.Throughout this 5-month experience, teams will do a deep dive into a problem space and come out the other side with robust insights about complex issues, and the tools to synthesize that data and turn it into a solution. (CoE C-SED)
optiMize Social Innovation Challenge – a 6-month incubator for students to turn their ideas into impact. They provide workshops, mentorship, and up to $20,000 in funding for your project. In 2019 optiMize awarded a total of $300,000 to 36 projects. (LSA)
The Performing Arts Excelerator – the Performing Arts EXCELerator is an entrepreneurial fellowship program open to all U-M students with early-stage performing arts ventures as individuals or teams. There is no limit on team size, however it’s recommended teams of 2 to 4 ppl, and encourages interdisciplinary projects involving two or more U-M departments. Fellows are chosen by application in the Fall, and will have access to up to $1,000 seed money along with mentorship support for their ventures during the Winter term. (SMTD)
Entrepreneurship: Building Rewarding Ventures | Michigan Online
Learn more about the elements of starting, sustaining, and succeeding at entrepreneurial ventures.
Video Series
Center For Entrepreneurship YouTube Channel
Keep Learning: Startup & Incorporation Issues Video Series
Keep Learning: Intro to Intellectual Property Basics Video Series
Building a Business 101 Series Video Series
VALIDATE
(have an idea, want to explore risks/rewards, probability of success)
The Michigan Business Challenge (MBC) – campus-wide, multi-round business plan competition where student teams have the opportunity to win cash prizes totaling over $100,000. (ZLI)
Learning Levers – competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent digital tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students. The goal of the James A. Kelly Learning Levers Prize is to support scalable, research-based innovative Ideas promoting student learning in pre-K–12 education. (SOE)
Business+Tech – a hub that gives U-M students the opportunity to discover events, resources, co-curricular experiences, action-based courses, and other opportunities. Explore the relationship between business and technology, and develop skills to navigate this important domain. They offer programs such as the +Tech Innovation Jam, Datathon, and +Tech Literacy Download. (Ross)
LAUNCH
(want to start company or build a product)
Zell Entrepreneurs Program – the Zell Entrepreneurs Program provides support to students who are preparing to work on their businesses full-time upon graduation. The selected students will receive support, mentorship, and resources to get their ventures launch-ready, including up to $10,000 to invest in their business. (Ross)
OUTSIDE RESOURCES
Innovation Partnerships Resource Library
Entrepreneurship Clinic Resources: Patents
University Innovation Fellows Wiki
United States Patent & Trademark Office – Inventor & Entrepreneur Resources
United States Patent & Trademark Office – Inventors Assistance Center
United States Patent & Trademark Office – Free Services
United States Patent & Trademark Office – Patent Public Search
GROW
(have a company and want to grow)
DESAI Accelerator – the Desai Accelerator was founded in 2013 to expand the growing Ann Arbor technology startup community. Desai is a professional business accelerator open to any early-stage, tech-enabled startup run by recent U-M graduates. The accelerator is a seven-month program, startups receive funding, tailored mentorship opportunities, national visibility, and other resources that help them achieve successful sustainability.
Learning Levers – competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent digital tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students. The goal of the James A. Kelly Learning Levers Prize is to support scalable, research-based innovative Ideas promoting student learning in pre-K–12 education. (SOE)
Funding For Ventures
Learning Levers – competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent digital tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students. The goal of the James A. Kelly Learning Levers Prize is to support scalable, research-based innovative Ideas promoting student learning in pre-K–12 education. (SOE)
Wolverine Venture Fund – with a mission of enriching student education and achieving returns on invested capital, the Wolverine Venture Fund invests in companies that have achieved enough progress to attract a priced round of venture capital from an established venture capital firm that will serve as the lead investor. (ZLI; growth stage)
The Social Venture Fund – an investment fund that supports innovative companies that place social and environmental impact at the heart of their business model. (ZLI, growth stage)
Student Startup Grants – a grant program that moves students through the business creation process by offering business development seminars and awarding $500-$5,000 in grants to individuals and/or student teams. (ZLI, growth stage)
EXCEL Funding – do you have a project or idea that will advance the performing arts? Whatever your dream, the EXCEL program can help put your ideas into action. We provide $100,000 in funding support annually for current U-M students through three different funding pools. (EXCEL)
The Michigan Business Challenge (MBC) – campus-wide, multi-round business plan competition where student teams have the opportunity to win cash prizes totaling over $100,000. (ZLI)
DEI Grant – to encourage campus-wide efforts that promote, enhance and celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion, the Office Diversity, Equity & Inclusion has established a dedicated DE&I Innovation Fund to support projects that advance an innovative approach to DEI at U-M. The recommended average size of grants should range between $2,000 and $5,000. Students, staff and faculty are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $10,000 may be considered under unique circumstances.
Arts Engine Student MicroGrants – award up to $1,500 in support of interdisciplinary student projects which incorporate the arts as a central theme or component. Main grant applicant must be enrolled in one of ArtsEngine’s schools/colleges (College of Engineering, A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and School of Information).
Academic Innovation Fund – the AIF helps our partners build new technology, develop engaging and interdisciplinary content, design more flexible and personalized learning experiences informed by data, and host events and communities that bring thought leaders together. We develop projects that extend academic excellence, expand the University of Michigan’s public purpose, and foster equity and inclusivity in higher education (CAI)
Entrepreneurship Minor – provides funding to support students and student organization activities related to Entrepreneurship and Innovation. We typically review funding requests for the subsequent semester. As a student applying for individual funding, you must provide the request in writing to entreprenershipminor@U-Mich.edu. Please include how the funds will be used, how much you are asking and how if we provide this funding it enhances the entrepreneurial ecosystem or your academic path. For student organizations requesting funds, please include the primary audience of your org, how new members are acquired, how the funds will be used in addition to the total dollar ask. If granted we also ask that you contribute back to the Entrepreneurship Minor by hosting an event or providing program resources to our students. Please include details regarding what you are proposing.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Student Organizations
Please visit maizepages to find more student organizations (note U-M’s student organization “statuses”). Happening@Michigan is a sortable events calendar, too.
Biotech, Entrepreneurship, and Coding – an entrepreneurship club with a focus on biotech and coding. BECO is organized in a way that imitates a startup with sub teams that focus on research, business, and prototyping. The goal for each cohort is to develop a product and present it at a competition.
Design+Business Club – a Ross student organization focused on education, practical application, and career development in design-thinking fields. Their mission is to provide a multidisciplinary community for graduate students interested in using design methodologies to lead organizations and facilitate innovation.
Enactus – dedicated to pursuing social change through free enterprise.
Net Impact – a Ross School of Business network of University of Michigan graduate students, alumni, and professionals who use the power of business to improve society and the environment.
Michigan Hackers – fosters a community who enjoy expressing creativity through technology–they host Hack Nights, Tech Talks, and other events.
M-HEAL – our mission is to use education, needs assessment, design innovation, and social entrepreneurship to improve access to health care in underserved communities. We envision a world where every person has access to appropriate, affordable, and high-quality health care. We value collaboration, cultural sensitivity, equity, innovation, interdisciplinarity, and socially-engaged design.
M-Powered – a student organization dedicated to exposing students to entrepreneurship. MPowered offers students different projects (Makeathon, Startup Career Fair, 1K Pitches) that provide entrepreneurial experiences to students and bring together a community of driven and passionate students, providing them with a platform to embrace entrepreneurship. .
MedLaunch – empowers students to innovate in healthcare. We work at the intersection of art, science and technology to solve healthcare problems. Our mission is to create opportunities that enable people to improve the health of our community.
Shift – an interdisciplinary creator space for students who want to collaborate and build out their ideas, projects and ventures along with others just as passionate. They also connect and provide opportunities with entrepreneurs, VC’s, and other industry experts that can provide direction to your projects.
V1 – organization that supports students who are working on side-projects and startups — those who are looking to build their V1: the first version of their product.
Local Community Resources (Ann Arbor & Detroit)
Ann Arbor SPARK – supports high tech and innovative business, jobs and investment in the greater Ann Arbor region
Ann Arbor Spark Tech Homecoming – during the fall, Ann Arbor SPARK puts on several events where businesses and startups in the area open their doors to the public. Check out the various events to explore the Ann Arbor entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund (A2EF) – a network of entrepreneurs and investors in Washtenaw County who have pledged 1% of company equity, investment carry or annual profits to be allocated to impactful local nonprofits in support of the community. As an initiative led by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, it provides a platform for founder engagement and support in achieving success with their ventures and a simple mechanism for young companies to build a culture of giving back into their business, making it easy for them to support their community.
A2 New Tech Meetup – on the third Tuesday of each month we will head to A2 New Tech Meetup, a wonderful opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs in the community.
A2 Product Meetup – learn, network, share, commiserate and/or laugh with like like-minded Product Management and Marketing professionals.
Bamboo Detroit, Ann Arbor, & Royal Oak – named after the Bamboo plant, a fast growing plant that takes years to sprout from a seed, we’ve designed an inspiring and supportive environment that sets you up with flexible space and perks to help you grow including coaches, networking, and a community of diverse founders and creators.
Cahoots – a home for Ann Arbor’s tech community. That means bringing companies large and small together, and serving a wide variety of professionals: students hoping to be immersed in Ann Arbor’s tech scene, startups, entrepreneurs, and more. The organization provides co-working space and events for all.
Centropolis Accelerator & Newsletter – the Centrepolis Accelerator is on a mission to fuel the growth of Southeast Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources including mentors, workshops, cutting-edge technologies, corporate connections, student & faculty engagement, events, workspace, and a collaborative community of peers.
DTX Launch Detroit – an intensive 10-week summer accelerator for college students and recent graduates aspiring to launch a technology startup. Participants will receive a stipend of $2,500 per individual (up to $7,500 per venture team) to test out their entrepreneurial dreams. One team will receive a $15,000 grand prize courtesy of General Motors! TechTown Detroit also has newsletters – sign-up for those too!
Girl Develop It – nonprofit that exists to provide affordable and judgment-free opportunities for women interested in learning web and software development through in-person classes and community support.
Hackers and Hustlers – a Facebook community for conversations about entrepreneurship and Michigan’s developing ecosystem. Discuss projects, promote ideas, stay up to date on events, and talk about the news of the day and how it will affect our state’s entrepreneurial fabric.
Incubators, Accelerators, and Coworking space in the Ann Arbor Region
InforU-M – nonprofit professional organization in Michigan that combines strategic connections, proven professional development programs, a respected forU-M for new ideas, and original research to accelerate careers for women and boost talent initiatives for companies.
Maker Works – a place where members (membership by the day, month, year, etc.) use their tools to make things. Many of their louder, “more fun” tools require a checkout class before using, and they offer other skill development classes as well. In addition to providing access and instruction around tools, they offer some other services.
Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – whether you have a new venture or an existing small business, SBDC is here to support you with no-cost consulting, training, market research and more. The Center helps small businesses launch, grow, transition, and innovate.
New Enterprise for U-M – the NEF mission is to link entrepreneurs with management expertise, joint venture partners, business services, capital, and other critical resources. Comprised of business professionals with a passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed
Shine & Rise – an organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact on gender diversity in the tech and startup ecosystem with a focus in the midwest.
Y Combinator – twice a year they invest a small amount of money ($150k) in a large nU-Mber of startups. The startups move to Silicon Valley for 3 months, during which they work intensively with them to get the company into the best possible shape and refine their pitch to investors. Each cycle culminates in Demo Day, when the startups present their companies to a carefully selected, invite-only audience. But YC doesn’t end on Demo Day. We and the YC alumni network continue to help founders for the life of their company, and beyond.