Innovate Marquette SmartZone

Innovate Marquette SmartZone We aim to uplift Marquette’s unique business ecosystem by offering access to important resources, funding, workforce talent, and network collaboration.

We aim to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem where all entrepreneurs feel welcome, while designing a customized innovation journey for technology-based ventures in outdoor innovation, creative technology, and sustainable technology Our mission is to position Marquette as a premier city for innovation and business development through our process to identify, nurture, and cultivate the growth and s

uccess of technology-based innovators, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups throughout our community. Through this collaboration, the Marquette region will continue to be recognized for its ability to draw businesses of all sizes and backgrounds to the shores of Lake Superior in the years to come. What types of business ideas do we work with? SmartZones work primarily with technology-enabled start-ups, innovators, and new businesses that fall within the accessibility, sustainability, and creative sectors. Through our partnerships, we are able to expand our service reach into product development with the management of Northern Michigan University’s Invent@NMU program and to local, small businesses through our partnerships with organizations such as Accelerate UP. From creating a more accessible outdoor lifestyle for people of all abilities, to sustainable ways of keeping our natural resource industries thriving, and providing access to creative technologies to our local community we’re here for you. Though we may not carry you entirely through your journey, like the North Star we’ll certainly guide you home.

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit and spend two days celebrating the outdoor spac...
06/04/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit and spend two days celebrating the outdoor spaces, traditions, and communities that make the Upper Peninsula special.

The Summit brought together local leaders, organizations, land managers, and community members for meaningful conversations about the future of outdoor recreation in the U.P. Participants explored how we can preserve the resources and way of life we value while creating opportunities for future generations.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation and helped make this year's Summit a success.

Local founder Brian Marvin recently reached a major business milestone: taking part in his first pitch competition. At t...
06/03/2026

Local founder Brian Marvin recently reached a major business milestone: taking part in his first pitch competition. At the Peak26 conference in March, he competed against five other founders in the Outdoor Innovation Pitch Competition. Just a month later and with some added confidence, he traveled to Alaska to compete as one of four finalists in the Arctic Innovation Competition.

Learn more about Brian and his entrepreneurial journey at the link below.
https://innovatemarquette.org/founder-spotlight-brian-marvin-hsi-relax-release/

After nearly 30 years teaching in Alaska, Brian Marvin turned a lifelong passion for archery into a new product idea: HS...
05/28/2026

After nearly 30 years teaching in Alaska, Brian Marvin turned a lifelong passion for archery into a new product idea: HSI Relax Release.

He developed this new type of bow release with the help of Innovate Marquette and the IMQT Protolab. Through this process, he’s been able to refine the product design after prototype testing and continue to build his business.

Learn more about Brian and his entrepreneurship journey at the link below.

https://innovatemarquette.org/founder-spotlight-brian-marvin-hsi-relax-release/

The MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit starts tomorrow at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex.Over the next two days,...
05/27/2026

The MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit starts tomorrow at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex.

Over the next two days, community members, organizations, and outdoor leaders from across the Upper Peninsula will come together to share ideas, build connections, and have important conversations about the future of outdoor recreation and the communities connected to it.

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Marquette and continuing the conversation around the places, traditions, and opportunities that make the U.P. unique.

For more info and to register, visit the link below
https://madeup-brand.com/outdoor_summit/

What does the future of the Upper Peninsula look like?Join us May 28–29, 2026 for the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit at NMU’s ...
05/26/2026

What does the future of the Upper Peninsula look like?

Join us May 28–29, 2026 for the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit at NMU’s Jacobetti Complex. The Summit brings together people from across the region for conversations about the outdoors, community, and the responsibility we share in shaping what comes next.

Learn more through the link below
https://madeup-brand.com/outdoor_summit/

The MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit returns May 28–29, 2026.Over two days at Northern Michigan University, community members, o...
05/24/2026

The MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit returns May 28–29, 2026.

Over two days at Northern Michigan University, community members, organizations, and outdoor leaders will gather to share perspectives, build connections, and talk about the future of recreation, access, and stewardship in the Upper Peninsula. The goal is simple, bring people together to have meaningful conversations about the place we all care about.

Click the link below to learn more and register
https://madeup-brand.com/outdoor_summit/

The Innovate Marquette Protolab recently partnered with   to create custom 3D-printed tops for their beetle traps. The c...
05/21/2026

The Innovate Marquette Protolab recently partnered with to create custom 3D-printed tops for their beetle traps. The company that originally made their beetle traps no longer sold replacement tops, so the department came to IMQT to see if we could help.

Using the existing bases, our team designed and 3D printed new tops for the traps so they could continue using the equipment for their work and research.

# # . .

Join us May 28–29, 2026 at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex for the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit.The Summit ...
05/20/2026

Join us May 28–29, 2026 at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex for the MADE U.P. Outdoor Summit.

The Summit is a chance to come together around the future of the Upper Peninsula and the outdoor spaces that shape life here. Through conversations led by local voices, participants will explore how we can protect what makes the U.P. special while creating opportunities for the communities that call it home.

Learn more and register through the link below
https://madeup-brand.com/outdoor_summit/

Meet Emily, the newest member of the Innovate Marquette team 👋Emily brings a background in nonprofit operations, sustain...
05/12/2026

Meet Emily, the newest member of the Innovate Marquette team 👋

Emily brings a background in nonprofit operations, sustainability, and community-focused work to IMQT. She graduated from Northland College with a degree in Sustainable Community Development before relocating to Marquette. Outside of work, she enjoys pottery, fiber arts, gardening, and spending time outdoors year-round.

We’re excited to have her on the team!

🔗 Learn more in our latest blog, link in bio.

Innovate Marquette recently partnered with the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Northern Michigan University...
05/07/2026

Innovate Marquette recently partnered with the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Northern Michigan University to support two senior capstone projects through the IMQT Protolab.

In collaboration with the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership, one student team developed Trailbarrow, a system that connects an electric wheelbarrow to a Volcon Grunt to improve material transport on rugged trails and remote terrain.
(Peter VandenAvond, Josh Guinazzo, Reed Heathman)

A second team partnered with JackRabbit to create a winter conversion kit for a micro e-bike platform, replacing the front wheel with a ski and the rear wheel with a track for use in snowy conditions.
(Luke Muffitt, Broc Taylor, Chris Gray)

Both projects gave students the opportunity to work through the product development process while collaborating with industry and community partners.

Eric Prue and the Protolab team at Innovate Marquette provided guidance and technical support throughout the projects.

Read more about the projects on our blog, linked below.
https://innovatemarquette.org/imqt-sponsors-nmu-engineering-projects/

Address

101 W Washington Street, Suite 11
Marquette, MI
49855

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/InnovateMarquetteSmartZone?fbclid=PAdGRleAN3S5RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp5HOkTI

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