Resources for companies on the grow

Here's a sampling of organizations in Southeast Michigan that offer services, either for free or for a price, to help companies grow. Please send suggestions to add to future directory reports to Jennette Smith, managing editor, at Jhsmith@crain.com.

FREE SERVICES

Ann Arbor Spark
• Industries: Life sciences, aerospace, automotive R&D, most any tech field
• Services/requirements: Accelerator assistance, workforce training, tax incentive program support, real estate analysis, peer-to-peer introductions, continuous innovation events. Company has to be based in Washtenaw County or Livingston County and have fewer than 25 employees.
• Contact: luke@annarborusa.org
• Location: Ann Arbor

E200 Emerging Leaders Training
• Industries: All
• Services/requirements: Six-month course with CEO mentoring groups and classes. Companies must have at least one employee and three years in business.
• Contact: nancy.grose@sba.gov
• Location: Detroit

Finance Advisory Solutions, Automation Alley
• Industries: Technology; advanced automotive, manufacturing and materials; alternative energy; defense; life sciences
• Services/requirements: Help companies identify financial needs and solutions
• Contact: info@automationalley.com
• Location: Troy

UEP Detroit
• Industries: Automotive
• Services/requirements: Company assessment, diversification and transformation assistance, opportunity identification and matching. Companies must be minority-owned product or service providers with existing revenue in the automotive industry. Also, the company must be certified by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.
• Contact: klockett@uepkauffman.org
• Location: Detroit

STATE SERVICES

The following programs are funded and overseen by the state of Michigan. They are all run from four metro Detroit locations.

Business Accelerator Fund
• Industries: Early-stage tech
• Services/requirements: Business consulting, market strategizing, relationship building with strategic industry partners
• Contact: sbtdchq@gvsu.edu
• Location: Detroit, Livonia, Waterford Township, Mt. Clemens

Business-to-Business Network
• Industries: All private companies
• Services/requirements: Procurement opportunities and help. Must be a Michigan-based company.
• Contact: BusinessConnect @michigan.org
• Location: Detroit, Livonia, Waterford Township, Mt. Clemens

Economic Gardening Program
• Industries: All private for-profit
• Services/requirements: Consulting. Must employ between six and 99 full-time employees, show growth in employment or revenue in two of the past five years, have maintained primary location in Michigan for previous two years, and must sell products or services outside of the Michigan market.
• Contact: BusinessConnect @michigan.org
• Location: Detroit, Livonia, Waterford Township, Mt. Clemens

Michigan PeerSpectives Network
• Industries: All privately held
• Services/requirements: Peer-to-peer consultation on management challenges. Company must have more than nine employees.
• Contact: sbtdchq@gvsu.edu
• Location: Detroit, Livonia, Waterford Township, Mt. Clemens

State Trade Export Promotion
• Industries: Potential exporters
• Services/requirements: Grants for participation in foreign trade missions, translation services, and subscription to U.S. commerce department services. Company must have fewer than 500 employees.
• Contact: Export@michigan.org
• Locations: Detroit, Livonia, Waterford Township, Mt. Clemens

SPECIALIZED CONSULTANTS

Fulcrum Edge Inc.
• Industries: All besides retail
• Services/requirements: Sales and market growth, training programs, business plans and process analysis, investment preparation
• Contact: mlundquist@ fulcrumedge.com
• Location: Bloomfield Hills

Industrial Visions Co. LLC
• Industries: Any business to business
• Services/requirements: Coaching and marketing advice. Target customers are business-to-business manufacturers or service providers with stagnant or declining revenue.
• Contact: info@industrialv.com
• Location: Troy

Michigan CFO Associates
• Industries: All, except nonprofit, with special emphasis in manufacturing, wholesale, service and professional practices
• Services/requirements: CFO services
• Contact: trammler@ michiganCFO.com
• Location: Sterling Heights

Phimation Strategy Group
• Industries: Engineering-based service firms
• Services/requirements: Strategy and leadership coaching
• Contact: dave@phimation.com
• Location: Ann Arbor

Spectrum Commercial Services Co.
• Industries: Manufacturing, distribution and service companies
• Services/requirements: Commercial finance. Must have collateral for the loan.
• Contact: john.klehm@spectrumcommercial.com
• Location: Commerce Township