Advisory Support
Are all entrepreneurs alike? We don't think so. The person developing a new venture-backed thingamajig doesn't have the same needs as someone who's growing a start-up on their own. But they both need solid and well-vetted business plans, the right connections, and sound advice. Learn about the services that are available, and lock into those that meet your needs.
Filters
- All
- Business Coaching
- Entrepreneur Mentoring
- Business Registration/Gov
- For Inventors
- Economic Development
- Media and Articles
- GVSU Resource Portal
- Michigan Business Portal
Business Workforce Programs
Assists employers in hiring disabled workers, filing for alien labor certification, returning disabled workers to jobs, worker layoff assistance and developing skilled workers.
Read more
Grand Rapids Inventors Network
The Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN) is a member-based, networking organization dedicated to helping innovative ideas get off the ground. GRIN is open to anyone with an idea for a product, service or process.
Read more
Michigan Economic Development Corp
Dedicated to community growth through business development, workforce training and education, export information, labor market statistics, government procurement, strategic planning.
Read more
Alliance of Woman Entrepreneurs (AWE)
AWE is the place where women give and receive knowledge and experience that will help all members become better business leaders. As the leader of your business, you know life can get pretty lonely at the top. Wouldn’t it be nice to connect with professional women who have walked in your shoes? To have a peer organization that you can turn to for advice, for learning, for input? That’s why the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs was formed in 1984.
Read more
COO of Facebook on Scaling Your Business
What wisdom does Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, pass to the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders? The importance of impact, and the necessity for that impact to be scalable. Plan for your operations to entice change with a decreasing marginal cost, and for new ventures to grow legs and utility beyond the one-to-one user experience. Company vision, products, and the individual all have their own metric of scale. In this clip, Sandberg introduces these ideas and their application.
Read more
GVSU Business Resource Portal:
As one of the most comprehensive business support networks in Michigan, we are dedicated to sharing knowledge, expertise, and opportunities within the West Michigan business community and beyond. Search the directory below by service category or by organization to tap into our intellectual, technical, and human resources available through Grand Valley State University and its affiliated organizations.
Read more
Michigan One Stop
In our Resource Center, you will find an array of resources and tools to help you start and operate a business in Michigan. From tips on writing a business plan to financing your business, our resource center has it all. Take a moment to browse through it and be sure to check out the "Try Business One Stop" feature where you can create scenarios for starting different types of businesses and learn the state requirements for getting started, including costs and time frames. No phone calls. No hassles. No commitment.
Read more
Grand Valley State University Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI), in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, serves to champion and catalyze the vocation of entrepreneurship. CEI works to accomplish this mission through development of talent and commercialization support. CEI focuses on the development of talent by providing grounding in the fundamentals of entrepreneurial practice, focused on the application of the 21st Century Skills (in creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking) crucial for new venture success. CEI focuses on commercialization support by providing an essential hub where new ideas can connect to resources to maximize conversion to value for the benefit of businesses and the community as a whole.
Read more
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center
Headquartered at Grand Valley State University, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) provides counseling, training and market research for new ventures, existing small businesses and innovative technology companies.
Read more
The Center for Community Leadership
(CCL) is one resource in Grand Rapids for community orientation, leadership development and community engagement programs. The CCL offers a portfolio of nationally recognized programs including Leadership Grand Rapids, Inside Grand Rapids, Download GR, Leadership Advantage, Leadership Forum and Customized Leadership Programs designed to connect and enhance leaders in our community.
Read more
City of Grand Rapids Planning Commission
Information on doing business in Grand Rapids, information on tax abatements, business expansion, downtown development and small business assistance.
Read more
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is a dedicated to helping Grand Rapids businesses grow and be successful. Members have access to networking opportunities, business development seminars and preferred providers in insurance, telecommunications, and other industries that small businesses may not be able to take advantage of on their own.
Read more
The Scaling of a Vision
People running organizations often make a distinction between management and leadership - the former being mathematical and scientific; the latter being more artful and magical. While management can conjure compliance in a work force, it take real leadership to drum up passion and enthusiasm. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, does not claim to have all of the answers to effective leadership, but she believes trust and respect are necessities. Real vision needs purpose to elicit that kind of passion, and it must be able to transcend into the foreseeable future.
Read more
Michigan Minority Business Enterprise Center
The Michigan Minority Business Enterprise Center provides business counseling, financial support, and training and education to the area’s minority-owned businesses.
Read more
CEO Roundtable
provides structured discussion groups of 10-12 business executives. Participants gather on a monthly basis in a confidential setting to discuss issues affecting their businesses. The groups offer suggestions and innovative solutions by drawing on their combined knowledge and experiences.
Read more
Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services/Corporate Division
Provides services that enable corporations, limited partnerships, limited liabilities companies to be formed and for foreign entities to obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in Michigan.
Read more
Muskegon Inventors Network
Similar to GRIN, the Muskegon Inventors Network (MIN) is a member-based networking organization dedicated to helping innovative ideas get off the ground. The MIN is a resource center with ideas, books, web site suggestions, and other information to assist people with their creative endeavors.
Read more
Grand Valley Metropolitan Council
Brings together public and private sectors to plan and coordinate services and investments to benefit the growth and development of the region.
Read more
Accelerating Michigan Entrepreneurs
A virtual incubator that uses online communication tools and a web portal to provide mid- to long-term counseling and coaching that result in solutions and growth for small businesses in Michigan.
Read more
Family Business Alliance
(FBA) is a partnership of the Chamber and the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University and is dedicated to strengthening the profitability, progress and continuity of West Michigan’s family businesses. The FBA provides information, tools and resources for family business owners, family members, executives and employees through a variety of workshops, seminars and networking opportunities.
Read more
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Provides information and assistance to Michigan citizens, businesses, municipalities and agencies in understanding and meeting their environmental protection responsibilities.
Read more
The Right Place, Inc
The Right Place is the economic development organization for the Grand Rapids region and works to bring new and expanded business opportunities to the area. Its mission is to promote wealth creation and economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and innovation in West Michigan by developing jobs through leading business retention, expansion and attraction efforts.
Read more
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) provides business counseling services and support for women entrepreneurs in the Grand Rapids area. GROW provides training and ongoing counseling needed to start a business, plus support services needed to sustain and grow a business.
Read more
Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest
The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest (GLEQ) encourages and educates entrepreneurs on the creation, start up and early growth stages of high-growth businesses within Michigan.
Read more
Michigan Department of Management and Budget
Information on applying for state contracts.
Read more
Lakeshore Advantage
Lakeshore Advantage is the economic development organization for the Holland and Zeeland, Mich. area and is the one-stop organization along the lakeshore for assisting entrepreneurs with getting their businesses off the ground. 201 West Washington Avenue Zeeland, MI 49464-1086 616.772.5226
Read more
Grand Rapids Urban League Inc./Micro Loan Fund Program
Programs are available for technical assistance and financial support for starting or expanding small business.
Read more
Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring
Jandernoa Entrepreneurial Mentoring was launched to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. To qualify for the three-year mentoring program, an entrepreneur’s business must have at least $1 million in annual sales, employ at least five workers and agree to contribute $3,500 each year toward the program
Read more
Michigan Department of Career Development
Assists employers in hiring disabled workers, filing for alien labor certification, returning disabled workers to jobs, worker layoff assistance and developing skilled works.
Read more
Holland Chamber of Commerce
Representing a cross-section of more than 1,160 business member organizations, the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce actively facilitates, educates, and advocates on behalf of our members through our services and programs.
Read more
West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative: Business counsel and development
When companies or individuals come to the Initiative for help, they meet with a team experienced and skilled in product development, intellectual property, business planning, marketing and sales. For a business development fee, the Initiative provides: Connections to executive and technical talent, entrepreneurial support and advice, assistance in locating potential funding resources, referrals to qualified service providers, management coaching, business plan development and assistance, access to the area’s incubator network.
Read more
SCORE
Provides free and confidential business advice to any entrepreneur or business owner in Kent County or the surrounding area – in person, by phone or via e-mail. SCORE also offers low-cost business workshops that provide an overview to starting and planning a business. The workshops cover researching business ideas, analyzing the competition, deciding on which type of business entity to create an, creating a business plan.
Read more
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Members have access to a group of full-time staff who are dedicated to improving the manufacturing climate in Michigan and serving the needs of manufacturers. The MMA main phone line, (517) 372-5900, is an automated menu-driven system that enables you to reach the appropriate department or individual.
Read more
Zeeland Chamber of Commerce
The Zeeland Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization composed of businesses, professional, civic, and educational leaders united together to fulfill the mission of this organization. Funding for this non-profit organization comes primarily from membership investments, and volunteers accomplish the Program of Work of the Chamber with the assistance of a small staff.
Read more
Neighborhood Ventures
Assists small businesses with problem solving, zoning issues, finances, environmental cleanup renovation, road construction and other issues.
Read more
Michigan Manufacturers Technology Center (MMTC-West)
Links small- to mid-size manufactures throughout a 17-country region to one another, as well as to a network of state and local technical resources. MMTC-West offers a variety of inter-firm learning programs, customized to meet customer needs, including user groups, tours of best practice, and workshops.
Read more
Muskegon Chamber of Commerce
The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce is the premier business membership organization on the lakeshore. As the business community prospers and the region flourishes, the mission of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce continues to grow in importance.
Read more
SCORE
Provides free and confidential business advice to any entrepreneur or business owner in Kent County or the surrounding area – in person, by phone or via e-mail. SCORE also offers low-cost business workshops that provide an overview to starting and planning a business. The workshops cover researching business ideas, analyzing the competition, deciding on which type of business entity to create and creating a business plan.
Read more
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center:
Headquartered at Grand Valley State University, the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-SBTDC) provides counseling, training and market research for new ventures, existing small businesses and innovative technology companies.
Read more
Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber for Grand Haven, Spring Lake,and Ferrysburg is the "go to place” for businesses in Northwest Ottawa County. Local investors, outside investors, visitors and residents rely on us to be the central clearing house for community-wide information, referrals and economic development services.
Read more
Van Andel Global Trade Center at Grand Valley State University
The Van Andel Global Trade Center advances international trade and supports West Michigan businesses as they prepare to enter and prosper in the era of international business competition.
Read more
City of Grand Rapids
Mission Statement Grand Rapids is Open for Business. Our mission is to retain and foster employment opportunities by improving our business environment and encouraging sustainable business development. Our economic development effort is aimed at facilitating greater levels of economic prosperity through innovation, collaboration, and the linking and leveraging of resources.
Read more
No Worker Left Behind
Provides tuition dollars to a two-year community college to help those who are unemployed receive training in a new field of work.
Read more
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber is dedicated to working with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.
Read more
