Resources

Blackstone LaunchPad

Marketing

Operations

Business Plans

Blackstone LaunchPad

Developed by the University of Miami, Blackstone LaunchPad is an experiential-based learning program that facilitates the formation and growth of student and alumni ventures, as a career option, at host institutions. Walsh College Entrepreneurship, Troy - Walsh College’s mission is to deliver a business education that integrates application and theory to prepare graduates for successful careers. Walsh offers a number of programs and services for entrepreneurial students and is a site for the Blackstone LaunchPad program in the Southeast Michigan. http://www.walshcollege.edu/blackstonelaunchpad Wayne State University, Detroit - Wayne State University is Michigan's only urban research university, fulfilling a unique niche in providing access to a world-class education at a great value.

Wayne State is a comprehensive university with 11 schools and colleges offering more than 350 major subject areas to 33,000 graduate and undergraduate students. WSU offers a host of entrepreneurship-related programs and is a site for the Blackstone LaunchPad program in the Southeast Michigan. http://wayne.thelaunchpad.org/. Automation Alley, Troy – Automation Alley has expertise in entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial development and related support systems. Automation Alley provides Technical Support to the Blackstone LaunchPad programs as Wayne State University and Walsh College. http://www.automationalley.com/page?pageid=a0E60000001IpM7 Capital Access Capital to fund the formation and growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Commercially-Viable SBIR/STTR Support Program, Troy –

This program trains and assists innovative entrepreneurs to develop commercially-viable SBIR grants in collaboration with Michigan research universities and commercial interests. Program managers/trainers have nationally-recognized experience and award-winning expertise in SBIR, STTR, NIST and other state and federal R&D funding programs that specifically emphasize scientific, technical and commercial merit in the grant review process. http://www.automationalley.com/page?pageid=a0E60000001IpM7. Detroit Business Innovation Development Fund, Detroit - In July 2009, ShoreBank Enterprise Detroit received a grant of $1,250,000 from NEI to create the Detroit Business Innovation Development Fund.

This Fund is providing equity and equity-like financing for early-stage growth enterprises located in the city of Detroit that meet economic growth and social purpose objectives. http://neweconomyinitiative.cfsem.org/grants/our-grantees/detroit-busine... Great Lakes Angels, Detroit - The Mission of the Great Lakes Angels organization is to organize and mentor angels and provide a forum for them to grow in knowledge and wealth and foster more of the same - to help invest in entrepreneurial companies in the region. http://www.glangels.org/ Great Lakes Chapter of the MIT Enterprise Forum and the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs' Quest, Ann Arbor - The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest is an engine for the formation of new, high-growth companies in Michigan. GLEQ encourages and educates entrepreneurs on the creation, start up and early growth stages of high-growth businesses within the state of Michigan by linking entrepreneurs pursuing high-growth opportunities with access to a statewide network of community resources, expert advice, high quality education, management talent and capital at every stage of development. http://gleq.org/gleq.nsf/page1?openview&count=100

Invest Detroit, Detroit - Invest Detroit is a leading source of private sector gap financing that utilizes a variety of funding tools through managed for-profit and non-profit targeted funds to support economic development opportunities in underserved communities primarily in the City of Detroit (including the First Step Fund). http://www.detinvfund.com/

Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, Ann Arbor - The Michigan Growth Capital Symposium (MGCS) is the premier event where deals get done and financiers meet the 'Best of the Midwest' in new businesses and emerging technologies. The symposium expects to bring together over 400 attendees including investors from across the country, executives of early stage and emerging growth companies, and related stakeholders. The event is presented by the Zell Lurie Institute's Center for Venture Capital & Private Equity Finance at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in partnership with the Michigan Venture Capital Association and with support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

http://michigangcs.com/ Economic Development oriented organizations focused on entrepreneurial formation and growth as an economic recovery, diversification and development strategy.

Ann Arbor SPARK, Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor SPARK is a driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor Region as a desired place for business expansion and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from those that are established to those working to successfully commercialize innovations. http://www.annarborusa.org/about-us Automation Alley – Automation Alley’s resources and programs are aimed at enhancing the creation, retention, expansion and attraction of entrepreneurial, intrapreneurial and social entre/intrapreneurial ventures that effectively combine innovation with intent and capacity for growth. Automation Alley provides a facilitated pathway for entrepreneurs into markets such as Defense, Global Trade, Alternative Energy and other high-growth potential markets. Automation Alley also operates a SEED Fund for entrepreneurial ventures as well as facilitated access to capital from other sources. Lastly, Automation Alley staff have deep expertise in Commercialization Plans and related review for federal R&D grant programs. http://www.automationalley.com/page?pageid=a0E60000001IpM7

Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan – The Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a region-wide collaborative effort dedicated to attracting and retaining business in southeast Michigan. Comprised of the region’s four key business accelerators– Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator, and TechTown, the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan works collaboratively to share best practices, host events focused on addressing issues and goals that impact southeast Michigan, support business plan development, and leverage funding to grow business in the region. http://neweconomyinitiative.cfsem.org/media-center/articles/business-acc...

Bizdom U - Bizdom U provides comprehensive, real-world training, mentorship, and support for entrepreneurs who have a burning passion and determination to build their own growth-oriented, Detroit-based business. http://www.bizdom.com/

Michigan Economic Development Corporation – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the State of Michigan’s primary Economic Development organization. MEDC offers information, resources, funding and support for the creation, retention, expansion and attraction of entrepreneurial ventures. http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Default.aspx

New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) – The New Economic Initiative is a philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition to an innovation-based economy in the seven county area of Southeast Michigan. NEI provides grant funding to support mission-related programs and initiatives. http://neweconomyinitiative.cfsem.org/

NextEnergy - NextEnergy is one of the nation’s leading research catalysts and business accelerators for alternative and renewable energy. http://nextenergy.org/about.aspx O.U. InCubator - Oakland University's SmartZone Business Incubator (OU INC) provides entrepreneurial resources and strategic business solutions to develop intellectual property. The incubator supports existing and grows new technology-based and life science businesses with university resources, decision support technology, business counseling services and financial/capital acquisition assistance. http://www.oakland.edu/ouinc/ Entrepreneurship Information and Promotion Publications and internet-based resources in support of entrepreneurship.

Crain's Detroit Business - Crain's Detroit Business is metro Detroit's leading business publication and offers information and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and related stakeholders. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/#

Great Lakes IT Report – The Great Lakes IT Report is a daily IT newsletter delivered via email first thing every business morning. As Technology Editor of GLITR, Roush covers the tech world broadly, from hardware, software, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and tech education. http://wwj.cbslocal.com/2009/01/01/welcome-to-the-new-wwj-com/ Underserved Entrepreneurs Women and ethnic minorities are the fastest growing segment of the entrepreneurial community.

Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute - Michigan boasts 3 of the 95 Women's Business Centers (WBCs) nationwide, funded by the Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) of the SBA. The Program's mission is to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs still facing unique obstacles in the business world." The Michigan WBCs include Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute (DEI), in Detroit. http://www.deibus.org/

Inforum - One of the largest and most prestigious business forums for women in the Midwest, Inforum has more than 1,800 members throughout the state of Michigan representing a broad cross-section of the business community. Programming and networking opportunities are offered in Southeast Michigan (Detroit). Inforum has programs specifically aimed at women entrepreneurship. https://www.inforummichigan.org/home

Michigan Association of Female Entrepreneurs (MAFE) – MAFE is a local network of the National Association for Female Executives, the nation's largest businesswomen's association, founded in 1972, with over 60,000 members and more than 200 networks across the United States. http://wwj.cbslocal.com/2009/01/01/welcome-to-the-new-wwj-com/

Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) - Established in 2005 to encourage and advance high growth minority business owners in underserved urban-core neighborhoods, the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) is an $11M program that educates and coaches entrepreneurs, fosters job creation, and promotes opportunities for economic profitability, success and organizational sustainability. http://www.kauffman.org/entrepreneurship/urban-entrepreneur-partnership.... Entrepreneur Support Resources Support resources for entrepreneurs.

Export Solution Center (US SBA) – The U.S. Export Assistance Center, located in Detroit, is a one-stop shop that provides small- or medium-sized business with local export assistance. Automation Alley’s International Program is a partners with the Export Solution Center for Southeast Michigan businesses (http://www.automationalley.com/page?pageid=a0E60000001I6Em). (http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/useac/index.html

Michigan Manufacturing Technology (MMTC) – Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) provides Michigan’s small and medium sized manufacturers with operational assessment, process improvement training, mentoring services, website technical assistance and market diversification tactics. MMTC is the Michigan affiliate of federal Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership through the National Institute of Standards and Technology. http://mmtc.org/

MI Small Business Technology Development Center (EMU MI-SBTDC @ TechTown) - The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) is a statewide network that provides counseling, training and market research assistance to small businesses in Michigan.

The Detroit area SBTDC operates through Eastern Michigan University. http://www.misbtdc.net/center.aspx?center=39090&subloc=0 Small Business Training Network (SBA-sponsored) - A virtual campus offering online courses, publications and other forms of technical assistance. http://www.sba.gov/training/index.html

Academic and Business Resources

Useful resource for searching for business information. Numerous links that can help you with research http://www.academicinfo.net/business

Step by Step Business Plan Cool guide for creating a business plan and it walks you through putting in the content. http://web.sba.gov/busplantemplate/BizPlanStart.cfm

Survey Design Survey Design is a survey and research company that helps users make the best possible survey to get the information that the researcher wants. http://www.surveysystem.com/sdesign.htm

Choosing corporate structures This is a very helpful guide for the entrepreneur to choose what kind of corporate structure would be ideal for your particular situation. http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/chooseastructure/START_FORMS_OWNERSHIP.html

Protecting Your Ideas This provides a great guide to protecting your Intellectual Property and making sure no one steals your ideas. http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/protectyourideas/index.html

Sample Business Plans This site offers great sample business plans to look at and base your business plan off of. This is a great first place to look at. http://www.bplans.com/sample_business_plans.cfm

Business Plan Outline and Template This site offers great templates and outlines for your prospective business plan. For complete samples look at the link above. http://articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan/A-Standard-Business-Plan-Outline

Generating Name Ideas This site is very interesting in that it helps you generate possible names to use as your next business / product name. www.Nameboy.com

Getting web development Proposals This is a great resource to get an initial quote on how much your website would cost. www.designquote.net

Creating an RFP for a development Proposal In order to get a developer to create a proposal for your site you need to create what is called an RFP, or request for proposal. This document outlines your sites functionality so that your developer can quote you an acurate price and timeline. You need to create this document BEFORE talking with potential developers. http://www.qando.net/wp-content/uploads/rfp_web_sample.pdf

oDesk An online staffing marketplace and management platform that provides a convenient way to hire, manage, and pay individuals for web development, software development, writing, QA, graphic design, systems admin, and more. www.odesk.com

Researching Traffic statistics on Websites This website tracks other web domains and the amount of users/traffic they generate. www.alexa.com

Equity Calculation Simulator This website has a great simulator that calculates the equity you would have after you input all the other possible variables. http://www.ownyourventure.com/equitySim.html

Graphic Design Crowd Sourcing This site allows you to submit a design proposal through a contest to obtain logos, web designs, etc. for a fraction of the cost. You set the prize winnings and a termination date while clients submit entries. http://www.crowdspring.com/

Marketing

back to top Simply Interactive Internet service that will market your company through the internet by building your company an innovative web presence, online user-based contest, flash game, or banner ad campaign. http://www.simplyinteractive.net/email/?gclid=CO7mjqP_nJUCFReenAodUB7bgg

Education Index A website that has multiple links of information on different types of advertising and marketing with links to resources to help maximize their effectiveness. http://www.educationindex.com/market/

Small Business Marketing Resources Links to online marketing, advertising and trends, as well as resources for start-ups and business advice with articles relating to all of these topics. http://www.inc.com/resources/marketing/recommended.html

Marketing Strategy Teaches how to create a marketing plan, how to begin marketing research, create a marketing strategy, etc. It also offers links to marketing tools and online courses and tutorials. http://marketing.about.com/
Personal Image Consulting Free tips and advice from leading experts in how to brand yourself. This site also allows you to upload your resume and customize a profile to suit your personal character when presenting it to an employer. http://brand-yourself.com

Online Student Business Community (Affliates: Harvard, Yale, U of Chicago, UPenn) Connects you with partners and service providers on a world-class level. Grow connections with top startup advisors and investors. The site is by-invitation and by-application only in order to ensure a high standard of membership. Student membership is free. http://www.studentbusinesses.com/

Publicity and Marketing resources for getting media attention Marketing communications directories- marketing resources in over 70 categories to help get your product/service recognized by the public. http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorResources/BookMarketing.aspx

Operations

back to top Resources for Operation Provides links to operations management as well as links to web resources dealing with decision and risk analysis. http://www2.lib.udel.edu/subj/opre/internet.htm
A Basic Guide to Exporting "A Basic Guide to Exporting" is a publication now available online that has been continuously updated for over 70 years. It is put together and organized by the United States government. http://www.export.gov/

Guide on Trade and Export Financing This document, put together by the United States government, will take you step by step on trade and export financing. http://trade.gov/media/publications/pdf/tfg2008.pdf
2009 Export Fact Sheet This pdf will give an overview of the past year's exporting as well as highlight significant facts, changes and happenings. http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2009/export-factsheet_031309.pdf

2009 Report: Economic Value of the Advertising-Supported Internet Ecosystem This report outlines the strong emphases of the Internet's value-added benefits and its key role in the American economy. http://www.iab.net/economicvalue

Manufacturing and Services The Manufacturing and Services (MAS) unit of the International Trade Administration (ITA) is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, expanding its market access, and increasing its exports. This page has a database of companies and statistics for manufacturing and services organized by industry. http://www.trade.gov/mas/index.asp

Find nonprofits Find nonprofit organizations in a database of 1.8 million IRS-recognized organizations to find a charity to support, benchmark your own nonprofit's performance, research the sector, and more. http://www.guidestar.org/

Setting up small Business Operations What you will actually need to step up operations of your business as well as a checklist of primary steps that every business needs to include. http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/starting/busoper.html

Business operations vendors/Operations management/Business.com Links to business operations consultants and providers of operations management software. Solutions for managing the operations of a company. http://www.business.com/directory/management/operations_management/

Operating a business Links to resources to help the small business owner provided by the IRS. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99930,00.html

Business Plans

back to top Inc. Magazine Business Plan Guide: This website details the step-by-step guidelines to writing a business plan. http://www.inc.com/articles/2000/04/18470.html

Business plan software & guide: Basic Information Basic info for detailed free business plan guide with template & sample for business plan. http://www.planware.org/gbasic.htm

Sample Plans from Bplans.com: This site offers advice on how to write a business plan. http://www.bplans.com/

Bureau of Labor Statistics: This website contains Bureau of Labor statistics and information from the past 125 years. http://stats.bls.gov/

Writing a Business Plan Advice on how to write a business plan from getting started to actually pitching the plan. http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/category/writing-a-business-plan

European Patent Office: The European Patent Office (EPO) provides a uniform application procedure for individual inventors and companies seeking patent protection in up to 38 European countries. It is the executive arm of the European Patent Organization and is supervised by the Administrative Council. http://www.epo.org/index.html

WSJ Business Plan Guide: This site offers advice on how to write a business plan. http://www.bplans.com/

USPTO United States Patent and Trademark Office: an agency of the United States Department of Commerce. http://www.uspto.gov/

Census Bureau: Gives quality data about the nation's people and economy: Population & Housing Census, Economic Census, American Community Survey, Many Other Surveys, Economic Indicators Small Business Administration. http://www.census.gov/

Online workshop to help start and improve your business plans, using your business plan efficiently and help on finding your niche. http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Franchising Opportunities: What is a franchise opportunity and how do you investigate the myriad choices available? And once you choose the one you want, where do find the money to pay for it? Our easy-to-follow guide offers all the information you need to find and buy a franchise. http://www.entrepreneur.com/franzone/guide

Market Segmentation by Zip Code: MyBestSegments features details about all of Claritas' market segmentation systems, including PRIZM, P$YCLE and ConneXions. http://www.claritas.com/MyBestSegments/Default.jsp

SBA Business Plan Guide: The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle. http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

Business Plan Center with a library of Real Business plans Business planning, marketing planning and marketing strategy information, advice, and free software and directories for investors and consultants. http://www.businessplans.org/

Business Owners Toolkit: This site offers more than 5,000 pages of free cost-cutting tips, step-by-step checklists, real-life case studies, startup advice, and business templates to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The site also offers a monthly newsletter, up-to-date news topics, and Ask Alice!, a column that closely follows industry trends and provides trusted advice to inquiring site visitors. http://www.toolkit.com/

Business Plan Samples, Writing a business plan Rule book for Business plans for startups from Entrepreneur.com www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/

Demographics

back to top Demographics by the zip Find demographics for specific zip codes and compare to other areas as well. http://zipskinny.com/

DemoReports Current demographics 2008-2013, reports that can be ordered online http://www.demoreports.com/?gclid=CM7DxavcnZUCFRkigQodXjg7kg

Demographics Page Several programs at the Bureau of labor Statistics make significant amounts of data available for specific demographic categories. http://www.bls.gov/bls/demographics.htm

SSBR: Demography Provides information collected from the federal government relating social statistics http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/demography.html

Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation information, etc Demographics of cities in the US ranging from cost of living to radio and TV stations http://www.city-data.com/

Strategy

back to top Bplans A good, brief overview of the steps necessary to begin a startup. http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/starting-a-business/business-start-up-strategy

Business Strategy A full circle website detailing the many aspects of a company from startup to potential harvesting. http://www.strategy-business.com

Business Strategy guide A very strong site providing business strategy advice specifically tailored to beating the competition. Complete with graphs and other visuals to facilitate domination. http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/business_strategy.html

BuyUsa A list of research resources for businesses compiled by the United States government http://www.buyusa.gov/florida/8.html

Forbes Best of the Web A very interesting list of the best sites on the web in Forbes' eyes. You may be surprised at what you find. http://www.forbes.com/bow

Useful business templates A site that provides a template for developing a strategic plan, an essential step in the early startup process. http://www.planware.org/strategicplan.htm

Small business plan resources http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Funding

back to top Business Plan Competition Entrepreneur Magazine hosts its own competition with seed money and free publicity. http://www.thecampusbuzz.com/2009/04/entrepreneur-magazines-college-entrepreneur-of-2009-contest-for-undergraduates-presented-by-the-ups-.html

On startups A short article that should appeal to nascent entrepreneurs as it details how to get funding without having to give away any equity for the company. http://onstartups.com/home/tabid/3339/bid/1289/4-Quick-Tips-on-Raising-Startup-Funding-Without-A-Plan

Startup Funding Long but very comprehensive article detailing nearly all opportunities for startup funding http://www.paulgraham.com/startupfunding.html

Government Funding A site that introduces the concept of government funding. Gives a general overview as well as links to government pages. http://www.proposalwriter.com/govtgrants.html

Angel Investors Article detailing what angel investors are and what it takes to receive funding from them. http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/financing/angelinvestors.html

NCIIA Grant Grant for students who need early stage funding for engineering, innovation and inventions. Grants are typically for students who are already using UM resources to create their inventions. http://www.nciia.org/grants

Echoing Green Fellowship Program To accelerate social change, Echoing Green invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions. Through a two-year fellowship program, Echoing Green helps our network of visionaries work to solve deeply rooted social, environmental, economic, and political inequities to ensure equal access and to help all individuals reach their potential. www.echoinggreen.org

Fullbright Scholar Program Grant The Fullbright program, the U.S. government's flagship program in international educational exchange, was proposed to the U.S. Congress in 1945 by Senator J. William Fullbright of Arkansas. In the aftermath of WW II, Senator Fullbright viewed the proposed program as a much-needed vehicle for promoting "mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries of the world." Signed into law by President Truman in 1946, the Fullbright program awards grants for a variety of educational activities, advanced research, graduate study, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program's inception, approximately 279,500 participants -chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential- have received the opportunity to exchange ideas and help find solutions to shared issues. www.iie.org/fullbright

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/funding - This is your one-stop resource to find funds for research and training in the sciences. This service is completely free.

Legal

back to top Sample Non-Disclosure Agreement (Kauffman Foundation) http://www.entrepreneurship.org/~/media/Files/Resource%20Center/Communities/Entrepreneurship/Sample%20NonDisclosure%20Agreement.pdf

Checklist A 20 step checklist for starting a company. Allows user to click on links in each step that further explains or helps the user complete the step. http://www.incorporate.com/completing_startup_tasks.html

The Global Legal Information Network (GLIN) An expansive database of official texts of laws, regulations, judicial decisions, and other complementary legal sources contributed by governmental agencies and international organizations. http://www.glin.gov/search.action

Protect Your Intellectual Property Stop trade in fakes! This 7 page guide created by the United States government will help you take the necessary steps to protect your intellectual property domestically and internationally. http://trade.gov/media/publications/pdf/stop2005.pdf

Patent Information and examples This website offers great information on patent information and information on what to do if legal trouble arises. http://iusmentis.com/patents/claims/

Patent Search: http://www.freepatentsonline.com http://www.sumobrain.com

Attorney Article detailing whether or not the entrepreneur should seek the council of an attorney upon startup. http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/starting-business/starting-business-help/starting-business-lawyer.html

Attorney Question and Answers A question and answer service where a user can get answers from an attorney. http://www.lawguru.com

Powerpoints on Launching a Start Up Technology Company & Intellectual Property Basics