Lansing Regional SmartZone

06/04/2026

🤔Do you know what your cap table is? How about your customer acquisition cost? Or your burn rate? 🔥Runway? 🛫 Gross margins? 📊 Churn? 🌪️

This month we're exploring the topic of getting your startup ready for investment. Not only is it important to have capital investment in order to grow your venture, it's important to know when and what kind you need.

So let's talk about some things you will need to put together!

https://hubs.la/Q04jY0km0

06/02/2026

We're just 2 weeks out from the year's biggest CASS event: Founders Day!

📅June 17, 2026 | 4PM - 6PM
🏬MSUFCU, Community Room – 2nd Floor, 311 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823

One part tangible takeaways, the other part networking and resource building.

⚡​Learn how to get your next customer with Claude and other AI-powered tools

​⚡Find out how to go from idea to product concept as fast as possible

⚡​Hear lessons from other founders; learn what has worked and not worked

​⚡Leave with one of your biggest business problems solved

RSVP today! https://hubs.la/Q04hCL520

05/26/2026

🔵Rounding out this month's deep dive into "Lab to Market" with a question: Why does the process of commercializing research matter?

✨"Research commercialization is not just about turning a profit—it plays a critical role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating jobs. By bringing innovative solutions to market, research commercialization helps address global challenges in healthcare, energy, education, and more."

👉Get the full details over here: https://hubs.la/Q04gl0Fz0

05/23/2026

We are excited announce our upcoming event: Founders Day!

📅June 17, 2026 | 4PM - 6PM
🏬MSUFCU, Community Room – 2nd Floor, 311 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823

One part tangible takeaways, the other part networking and resource building.

⚡​Learn how to get your next customer with Claude and other AI-powered tools

​⚡Find out how to go from idea to product concept as fast as possible

⚡​Hear lessons from other founders; learn what has worked and not worked

​⚡Leave with one of your biggest business problems solved

RSVP today! https://hubs.la/Q04hCKlk0

05/21/2026

We have big plans for next year so mark your calendars!

April 5-9, 2027 will be the Lansing region's third Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week!

Want to know what 517 E&I Week is all about? Relive the magic of this year's events at our recap page: https://hubs.la/Q04hcDZn0

Make sure to signup for 517 E&I Week Newsletter on the website to stay in the loop!

05/19/2026

👩‍💻🤝🌮We're going to be at Michigan Tech Week this Wed!

If you are a "Central Michigan" startup founder, ecosystem builder, or are just there for the vibes... we'd love to connect. Grab something from the food trucks and come on down to our "exclusive" (not really) Basement Meetup at Michigan Central on Wed from 12:15PM - 1:15PM.

We're going to be talking about what's happening in the regional ecosystem, connecting with other founders and ecosystem builders, and generally having a good time. Hope to see you there!

https://hubs.la/Q04h6vtg0

05/19/2026

We're talking about moving ideas out of the lab and into the market this month at the SmartZone.

This part right here really jumped out 👉 "The process of commercialization takes time. While scientists should continue to publish their research results, they should also reach out to their technology transfer office, in parallel, to begin applying for patents and understanding the regulatory approval process, particularly in sectors like medicine, agriculture and energy."

Check out the whole article: https://hubs.la/Q04gk_CS0

05/15/2026

517 E&I Week 2026 truly was an amazing week. And we have big plans for next year so mark your calendars because 2027 dates have been announced!

April 5-9, 2027 will be the Lansing regions' third Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week!

Want to know what 517 E&I Week is all about? Relive the magic of this year's events at our recap page: https://hubs.la/Q04gkcDb0

Make sure to signup for 517 E&I Week Newsletter on the website to stay looped into

05/13/2026

517 E&I Week 2026 truly was an amazing week. And we have big plans for next year so mark your calendars because 2027 dates have been announced!

April 5-9, 2027 will be the Lansing region's third Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week!

Want to know what 517 E&I Week is all about? Relive the magic of this year's events at our recap page: https://hubs.la/Q04gkpQN0

Make sure to signup for 517 E&I Week Newsletter on the website to stay in the loop!

05/12/2026

This month we're focusing on the concept of "Lab to Market." What does it refer to and how does it work? We'll give you a clue... if you're developing unique new technologies at a research institute (such as a university) and you think they might have commercial potential... you're probably a fit for moving that technology from the "lab" to the "market."

The path from university research to successful startup can be complex, often requiring iteration and adaptation. Dr. James Klausner's journey with Redoxblox, a startup focused on advancing energy storage solutions, highlights how academic innovation often progresses through key phases, each buildin...