Protolab Grand Opening

Join us on Tuesday, October 3rd for a grand opening of the Innovate Marquette protolab. Located on the lower level of the Kaufman Block, the protolab is a specialized prototyping lab equipped with state-of-the-art 3D printing and scanning technologies. 

The Innovate Marquette protolab, which was made possible by the United States Department of Agriculture, provides Innovate Marquette clients with access to cutting-edge technology to help advance their business ventures. The protolab supports local entrepreneurs by helping to transform 2D designs into physical prototypes.

What to expect:

  • Guided tours of the Innovate Marquette protolab
  • Connect with the Innovate Marquette and Invent@NMU team
  • Light refreshments will be provided

When: 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Where: 

Innovate Marquette, 101 W. Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855

Directions:

Innovate Marquette is located in the historic Kaufman Block building in Downtown Marquette. The entrance to the Innovate Marquette office is on Front Street between Washington and Main Street. 

The door to enter is across the street from Elizabeth’s Chop House. Directional signage is also located on the building.

Parking:

Street parking and parking lots are located near the Innovate Marquette office. Hourly parking can be paid via pay stations or the Passport Mobile App.    

EV Charging is also available within 0.2 miles of the Innovate Marquette office. The Marquette Downtown Develpment Authority (DDA) currently has a 240 volt dual ChargePoint station (type 2) with two charge ports in the lower level of the Bluff St. Parking Ramp.

Visit the Marquette DDA website and Parking FAQs for more information about parking in Downtown Marquette.

Questions?

Please contact Kristin Tanner, Programs Manager, at kristin.tanner@imqt.org.

Thank you for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office. for the support of the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant. Innovate Marquette SmartZone programs and services are also made possible in part through ongoing support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the City of Marquette.

Protolab support logos (1)

About the USDA RISE grant:

On November 29, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that a $700,000 Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant was awarded to Innovate Marquette SmartZone, along with project partners Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior Community Partnership, and Michigan Works!. The grant will support the creation and management of the Marquette Outdoor Venture (MOV) Innovation Center.

The MOV Innovation Center will exist as an ecosystem of support to diversify and strengthen the rural regional economy by leveraging assets, increasing collaboration, and accelerating the growth of small businesses and jobs in the emerging industry cluster of outdoor recreation innovation, focused on innovative products, mobility/limited mobility, and smart connected platforms/systems.

Partners in the project are working together to implement four strategies:

  • Provide education, outreach, and investment programming for outdoor recreation innovation entrepreneurs.
  • Develop a protolab for entrepreneurs in outdoor recreation access and mobility products.
  • Establish a talent pipeline via education and training pathways for high-quality, new economy outdoor recreation jobs.
  • Augment the Innovate Marquette accelerator and incubator programs to promote outdoor recreation innovation and connect entrepreneurs to venture capital.

 

Click here to learn more about how Innovate Marquette will utilize the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant to support outdoor innovation.

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