Accepting New Applications for LaunchPad!

LaunchPad “Bootcamp” Alumnae Featured in Local News

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Innovate Marquette Smartzone aims to help entrepreneurs and inventors get their ideas off the ground, and one way they’ve been doing that over the past two years is through a special 8 week program. “Coaching, assistance, expertise and knowledge, this is what the LaunchPad Program provides,” said Ray...

ZinePak– From Napkin to Success

Did you know that ZinePak’s Business Model consisted of two simple steps? Watch Kim Kaupe explain how her and her partner came up with their business model on a napkin. Watch the Video

From Exhaust to Ink–Transforming Pollutants into Reusable Ink

here is a lot of innovation thinking happening in the “Air Pollution” industry… Graviky Labs at MIT found out a way to create ink out of car exhaust! Watch the Video

6 Signs You’re Ready to Declare Your Entrepreneurial Independence

When should you declare your entrepreneurial independence? Read the Article

Happy 4th of July!

Discover Michelin’s Innovative Tire Concept

Wouldn’t it be great not to replace a tire on your vehicle ever again or even fill it with air? Well, Michelin has created a concept tire that will do just that. Watch the Video

10 great business podcasts

Looking for inspiration to motivate you on your entrepreneurial journey? Here is a list of 10 great business podcasts that can do just that! Read the Article

Congratulations to the recent LaunchPad Graduates!

Busy, Busy, Busy…. From the announcement of the collaboration between Invent @NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone along with their grant approval from the MEDC to LAST NIGHT’S NEWEST LAUNCHPAD GRADS we sure are moving forward… All of us at Innovate Marquette want to congratulate Alecia Lewis, Avery Wilson, and Cathe...

Columbia University experiments with 3D Printed Food

“Rosie, where is my dinner?” … Just amazing the capabilities of 3D printers! Watch the Video

State Grant Supports Company Collaboration

  We are proud to announce–”Northern Michigan University has received a $1.15 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to implement a collaborative operating agreement involving Invent@NMU and the Innovate Marquette SmartZone.” Read the Article    

15 Characteristics You May Have as An Entrepreneur

As an Entrepreneur do you have any of these 15 characteristics? Let us know how many apply to you! Watch the Video

SmartZone Focusing on Entrepreneurs in the UP

The entrepreneurial spirit is strong all over our state especially here in the Upper Michigan where we have three SmartZones focusing on growing new innovate ideas by providing resources to help founders move forward. Watch the Video

A look into the Museum of Failure

Learning from pasted failures can bring forth innovation. Learn More!

ProNav GPS

Have you created a new way of doing an activity? The Founders of ProNav love to fish but had a problem with keeping their boat on course while trolling. So they came up with a way to utilize GPS to navigate the boat on a course so they could enjoy...

Sony smart contact lens

Smart Contacts! Sony smart contact lens will record everything you see, with the blink of an eye. Watch the Video 

The Life of an Entrepreneur in 90 Seconds

The obstacles may be different but the struggles are the same! Watch the Video

6 things you need for your mobile office space

Sometimes you must break out of the norm to get work done… Here is a list of 6 things you need for your mobile office space. Read the Article

TECH TATS

How would you feel about having a circuit board attached to your skin? We could soon be able to monitor our vitals or store financial information by tattooing circuit boards to our skin. Watch the Video

11 Businesswomen Who Should Be on Your Radar

IMQT SmartZone has had many amazing women so far going through the programs it offers. Here are 11 that are changing the world of female entrepreneurship. Read the Article

Discover BareConductive

     Would you like to change the wiring in your house whenever you wanted? Matt Johnson, Co-Founder of Bare Conductive, has developed a conductive paint that can be applied to any surface and allow you to rewire anything. Watch the Video

How Successful People Spend Their Weekends

How do you spend your Weekends? Entrepreneurs are very busy people during the week and do need time to disconnect and recharge before starting a new week…  If you were wondering how successful people spend their weekends check out this article! https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/03/24/how-successful-people-spend-their-weekends/#46c91a0f19c0

Your smartphone could soon be powered by your footsteps.

Here is motivation to get up and move. Your shoes could be able to power you cell phone.  Watch the Video

5 Lessons Every Entrepreneur Can Apply to Build a Better Business

Think more like a Teenager! This is one of five lessons that can help with building a better business. Read the Article

SIPA BOARDS ARE “BLOWING UP”

Listening to the needs of the users of a product and creating a new experience is innovation at its best… This inflatable paddle board was created to reach users that have space issues when storing a full-size board.  Watch the Video

4 Signs It’s Time to Hire a Freelancer

Startups can become very strained when it comes to human resources. Here are 4 signs it is time to hire an independent professional. Read the Article

7 Ways to Prepare for the Future if your Business is Growing Exponentially

If you’re afraid of fast growth in your business here are 7 ways to prepare! Read the Article

EOT Recap

Thanks again to everyone who came out for Entrepreneurs On Tap last night! We had a great turn out! We wanted to share a PDF of the presentation as requested by many attendees, check out the link.   Thanks again, and we hope to see you at future events. -The...

BIKI: The Cute Little Fish Drone

An underwater camera that will swim with the fishes. See how this inventor created a drone with an onboard camera that can get up close with aquatic life! Watch the Video

Take the stress out of traveling with these futuristic pods

Ever needed a safe place to rest while at on a layover. Here is a solution to the “burning problem” may travelers using the airways! Watch the Video

IMQT Expands Team to Support Growing Start-Up Community

Innovate Marquette SmartZone Expands Team to Support Growing Entrepreneurial Start-Up Community Former Invent@NMU Program Liaison and NMU College of Business graduate Rachel Barra to serve as SmartZone’s Program Manager MARQUETTE, Michigan (May 23, 2017) – Now entering its second  year of operation, the Innovate Marquette SmartZone recently expanded its staff...