Michigan Founders Fund

We are thrilled to announce that Motmot, a Detroit-based innovator in drinking water infrastructure inspection, has closed a $1.34 million pre-seed funding round led by Assembly Ventures, with participation Michigan investors Michigan Rise, Kalamazoo Forward Ventures, and eLab Ventures. Led by MFF Member Elliot Smith, PE, this funding will enable Motmot to scale operations, expand R&D, and launch its first municipal pilot programs in the Summer of 2025. Aging water infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada requires $452 billion (with a B!) for replacement, with traditional inspections being costly and disruptive. Motmot’s Autonomous Underwater Robotics (AUR) technology streamlines this process, enabling efficient inspection of hundreds of miles of pipelines from a single entry point, the solution: 📉 Reduces inspection costs by 70-85% ⬇️ Minimizes water loss ✅ Enhanced resilience and operational efficiency for municipalities “Throughout my career as a municipal engineer, I witnessed firsthand the challenges cities face managing aging water systems. Motmot was born out of a need to reduce costs and provide municipalities with the tools to build more resilient infrastructure.”— @ Elliot Smith, Founder & CEO Motmot invites municipalities, industry partners, and investors to join them and learn more at https://www.motmot.ai/ #Water #Infrastructure #Innovation #TechForGood

🚀 Applications are Open for the Michigan Founders Fund Pre-Accelerator powered by gener8tor! Are you an early-stage startup in Southeast Michigan that is led by an underrepresented founder? The inaugural MFF Pre-Accelerator, in partnership with gener8tor, offers a unique opportunity to scale your startup with: ✓ $15K in non-dilutive grants ✓ One-on-one coaching ✓ Access to a robust mentor and investor network This free, 7-week program, led by Detroit-based Program Manager Brittni A., is tailored to support underrepresented founders and strengthen Southeast Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 📅 Deadline to Apply: January 12, 2025 📍 In-person at Newlab in Michigan Central, Detroit Don’t miss the chance to transform your startup journey. 🔗 Learn more and apply now: https://lnkd.in/eKEuSv2w Questions? Contact Brittni at brittni@michiganfoundersfund.org. #Entrepreneurship #Grants #Startups #MFFPA

👏 Great progress from gBeat this season as they are growing their business through a partnership with Fitness On Demand, bringing their innovative wearable tech to 2,800 locations! This collaboration will make it easier than ever for fitness enthusiasts to integrate smart technology into their workout routines, driving personalized experiences at gyms and studios nationwide. Congratulations to CEO and Co-founder Christopher Hart and the entire gBeat team for this huge accomplishment! 🚀 #MFF #startups #growth

We’re thrilled to celebrate MFF company Syncurrent as the FIRST AI startup nationwide to secure funding from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development! 🚀 Their groundbreaking AI platform is transforming the way local governments (municipal and Tribal) in Michigan identify funding opportunities—cutting a process that once took weeks down to just a few minutes. This incredible milestone also launches a pilot program where Syncurrent and the USDA will select six governments (municipal and Tribal) to pilot the platform. Together, they aim to unlock critical funding to support communities and drive impact. 💡 Are you a municipal or Tribal government interested in participating?  Contact Syncurrent at pilot@syncurrent.com 🔗 More details here: https://lnkd.in/g8S-FJGm Congratulations to MFF member and Syncurrent Co-Founder Dhruv C. Patel Patel and the Syncurrent team on this game-changing achievement! 🙌 #MFF #AI #Michigan #Startups

The Michigan Founders Fund Fund Pre-Accelerator powered by gener8tor is now accepting applications! The inaugural cohort will be led by Detroit-based Program Manager Brittni A. and offers a unique opportunity for early-stage startups led by underrepresented founders to move their business from early product to first check. This is a no-cost, equity-free, seven-week accelerator program that provides underrepresented startup founders based in Southeast Michigan with a $15,000 grant to use for eligible purchases related to growing their business. The program also includes personalized coaching and programming alongside access to a robust network of mentors, partners, and investors both locally and beyond. Our goal is to prepare underrepresented Michigan founders who wish to move past launch into future equity-based accelerator programs or other investment opportunities. Applications are due by Jan. 12, 2025: https://lnkd.in/edAwbD_c Full details, FAQs, and office-hours sign-up: https://lnkd.in/ez-zCtDu #Entrepreneurship #Founders #Startups #Michigan

🚨 TOMORROW! Don’t miss out on Founders First Friday on December 6th! Join high-growth founders across Michigan as they share challenges, exchange advice, and build lasting connections. Check out the locations below, and be sure to RSVP! • Detroit at Newlab, Hosted by Achsha Jones, founder of TripSlip • Traverse City at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness Gym, Hosted by Broc Crandall, co-founder of Stocked • Royal Oak at Bamboo, Hosted by Christina Fair, co-founder of Hum • Ann Arbor at Cahoots, Hosted by Prashant Salla, co-founder of Goodhood • Sterling Heights at Velocity, Hosted by Ryan J. LaPensee, MSQA, founder of PanOptic Quality Systems • Grand Rapids at Start Garden, Hosted by Terra Osman, founder of Farmish, and andrea wallace, founder of Opnr • Houghton at The Lakeshore Center, Hosted by Jordan Ruth Craven, founder of Sizeologic Last chance to register 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHRFCCve #FoundersFirstFridays #MFF #Founders #Michigan #Startups

It’s been a minute, but we’ve been busy! After an incredible Art Fair | Detroit in September, featuring 200+ amazing artists, we’re thrilled to announce our next big event: Studio Deals Midwest – the largest art studio event in the region! 📍 Taking place across seven Midwest cities: Akron Ann Arbor Cleveland Chicago Detroit Toledo Ypsilanti 🗓 This Saturday, December 7 ⏰ 12–5 PM 📲 Don’t forget to download the ArtClvb app to discover, view and purchase artwork directly ✨ Explore incredible art studios, connect with local artists, and discover unique works of art in each city. 🔗 Register, grab your maps, and find all the details for your city here: After party in each city to follow! We hope to see some of you there! 💫 #ArtEvents #ArtClvb #MidwestArt #StudioDeals #SupportArtists https://lnkd.in/gvihNXcQ

What a beautiful cold day in #Detroit on #GivingTuesday!!!🎁 Our beautiful city is filled with warm hearts, minds, and positive energy! Thanks to our partner Jill H. of mymichiganbeach.com - we had an opportunity to share our mission and collaboration this holiday season on WDIV Local 4 News/ClickOnDetroit - “Live in the D” with Tati Amare from the Pope Francis Center in Detroit! Thank you to everyone who is making a simple decision to give the gift of vision! #EyeCareForDetroit #GivingTuesday #IcareforDetroit #YouCareforDetroit #MyMichiganBeach https://lnkd.in/gbdcJWas

Did you know that Michigan founders are making an impact not just locally but beyond our planet? 🌍🚀 We’re thrilled to celebrate a monumental milestone for MFF members and co-founders of Kall Morris Inc. (KMI) Troy Morris, Austin Morris, and Adam Kall based in Marquette! Their innovative hardware has officially made it to space and has begun its residency on the International Space Station National Laboratory (ISS)! 🎉 This is a giant leap forward for KMI and a shining example of Michigan entrepreneurship reaching new frontiers. Read more about their incredible journey ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gzWNNMG5 Congratulations to Troy, Austin, Adam, and the entire KMI team on this stellar achievement! 🚀 #SpaceInnovation #Entrepreneurship #MFF

🎉THIS FRIDAY! Don’t forget to register for Founders First Friday on December 6th. There are high-growth founders meeting all over Michigan sharing challenges, giving advice, and building relationships. Check out some new locations and make sure to RSVP! • Detroit at Newlab, Hosted by Achsha Jones, founder of TripSlip • Traverse City at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness Gym, Hosted by Broc Crandall, co-founder of Stocked • Royal Oak at Bamboo, Hosted by Christina Fair, co-founder of Hum • Ann Arbor at Cahoots, Hosted by Prashant Salla, co-founder of Goodhood • Sterling Heights at Velocity, Hosted by Ryan J. LaPensee, MSQA, founder of PanOptic Quality Systems • Grand Rapids at Start Garden, Hosted by Terra Osman, founder of Farmish, and andrea wallace, founder of Opnr • Houghton at The Lakeshore Center, Hosted by Jordan Ruth Craven, founder of Sizeologic Register now 👉https://lnkd.in/gHRFCCve #FoundersFirstFridays #MFF #Founders #Michigan #Startups