Innovate Marquette SmartZone

Together with the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development (CUPPAD) Regional Commission, we are seeking proposals supporting the development of a regional Outdoor Recreation Industry Growth Strategy. Proposals should demonstrate knowledge of the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan (which includes Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee and Schoolcraft counties), economic development expertise, strong connections to outdoor innovation, broad familiarity with electric vehicle charging infrastructure and outdoor recreation mobility. They should also address how they plan to incorporate guiding principles, such as environmental stewardship, cultural sustainability and multi-modal connectivity into the formation of the plan. Interested in submitting a proposal? Click the link below. https://lnkd.in/gS4Y_fNY #ORIAN #InnovateMarquette #CUPPAD #OutdoorInnovation #MarquetteMI #UP #LakeSuperior #EV #MEDC #EDA #RFP #OutdoorRecreation #GetOutside #Explore #Economy #Rural #Innovation

Last month, we held our second annual Board Retreat. Since last year, we’ve learned how valuable it is to gather our Board of Trustees and our team to reflect on goals and chart the course for the future. We are fortunate to have Trustees who are willing to set aside an entire day in the summer, as they serve an integral role in our strategic planning as an organization. This year was about partnerships and collaboration as we identify our longterm goals as an entrepreneurial community. Sincere thanks to our Board of Trustees - Karen Kovacs, David Nyberg, Spencer Stang, Nancy Lyons, Andrew Wallner, Brock Tessman, Bill Leisenring, Tyler Losinski, Leslie Hartman, Ruth Solinski, Scott MacInnes, Fredrick Molnar, and A. Elizabeth Bernhard, Our partners - Christopher Germain, AICP, EDFP(Lake Superior Community Partnership), Marty Fittante (InvestUP ), Lizette Lewis and Nora Foote (Center on Rural Innovation), Adela Piper (Siren), Stefani Vargas (Stone Hearth Consulting), Karen Kovacs, Jon Swenson, Tiina Morin, Amelia Pruiett, and Tristan Luoma of the City of Marquette, Aaron Leppanen and Gabriela Anker (Leppanen Anker Arquitectura), Tom Vear and Jen Ray, Chris Koehs, and Tom Carpenter (Marquette Board of Light and Power), and of course, our team - Joe T., Paulette P., Kristin (Johnson) Tanner, Aubry Healy, Mari Shelafoe, Taylor Warren, Eric Prue, Vaughn Rodriguez, Lauren Call, Henry Westlind, Nick Herriff, and Ava Larson Special thanks to Ava for capturing photos of the day, Double Trouble Entertainment, and the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University for hosting us! #InnovateMarquette #OurBoard #Retreat #AnnualEvent #StrategicPlanning #Innovation #Reflection #Collaboration #BoardofTrustees #Community #Stakeholders #MarquetteMI #InventNMU #NorthernMichiganUniversity #UP #Entrepreneurship

As June is National Employee Wellness Month, there isn't a better time to prioritize employee wellbeing in the workplace! We're excited to announce that we are piloting a four-day workweek schedule, thanks to our collaboration with workforce specialists at Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! Innovate Marquette will continue regular business hours Monday - Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm. Recognizing this is an early adoption of this new 4-day workweek model, our employees will still be reachable and available for scheduled meetings on Fridays as needed. This initiative not only prioritizes the well-being of our employees but is also backed by data showing significant benefits for both companies and employees. A research study from Boston College, University College Dublin, and Cambridge University found that companies implementing a four-day workweek saw an increase in revenue, a decrease in sick days, improved hiring rates, and enhanced productivity and performance. Additionally, employees reported decreased burnout and an overall improvement in well-being. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on our team and the community. Click the link below to learn more about employee wellness initiatives like this one! https://lnkd.in/eRsC5NNg #EmployeeWellbeing #FourDayWorkWeek #InnovateMarquette #UPMichiganWorks #WorkplaceInnovation #Productivity #WellbeingMonth #CommunityGrowth

Have you heard the news? SwimSmart will be hitting the Marquette beaches this summer! 🚩🌊 Towers will be built at South Beach, McCarty’s Cove, and Clark Lambros Beach Park in July. SwimSmart aims to enhance beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies that can assist lifeguards, beach managers, and first responders in their efforts to end drownings in our communities. SwimSmart accomplishes this by: • Automatically adapting to local weather forecasts • Allowing lifeguards to stay focused on the water • Clearly communicating through an intuitive light system • Providing real-time weather data Click the link below to check out the interview with Founder and CEO Jacob Soter. #SwimSmart #BeachSafety #MarquetteBeaches #Innovation #SmartTechnology #CommunitySafety #InnovateMarquette #MarquetteMI #LakeSuperior #Success #Founder #Startup #Michigan #UP #WaterSafety #GreatLakes #Teach https://lnkd.in/gyx2pTqC

Exciting News for the Central Upper Peninsula! The CENTRAL UPPER PENINSULA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL COMMISSION (CUPPAD) and Innovate Marquette (IMQT) have joined forces to launch the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN)! This transformative initiative, targeting Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties, is powered by a $320,000 grant from the federal U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Through the ORIAN initiative, we will focus on helping the region adapt and diversify from its former reliance on coal industry jobs and develop a strategic framework for the growth of the outdoor recreation industry. Key highlights: 1. Development of a strategic framework for the outdoor recreation industry 2. Creation of an outdoor recreation business database 3. Business-to-business support 4. Annual Outdoor Recreation Summit We’re seeking innovative proposals to help shape this strategy. If you have expertise in economic development, outdoor innovation, EV charging infrastructure, and are passionate about environmental stewardship, cultural sustainability, and multi-modal connectivity, we want to hear from you! Together, we can build a thriving outdoor recreation economy in the Central Upper Peninsula and beyond. Click the link below to learn more. #UpperPeninsula #OutdoorRecreation #EconomicDevelopment #Innovation #Sustainability #CUPPAD #InnovateMarquette #ORIAN #EDA #CommunityGrowth #ProposalsWanted #RFP #Michigan #UP #LakeSuperior https://lnkd.in/gS4Y_fNY

Exciting News from Myconaut! Myconaut has received a $275,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant! Located in Marquette, Michigan, Myconaut conducts research in the field of mycology to realize the capabilities of fungi and other biobased systems as solutions for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation and other major environmental problems. Myconaut is developing a scalable biological solution for PFAS remediation to address the multi-trillion dollar global remediation market. Their research utilizes mycoremediation, a process that leverages plants and fungi to remove these harmful chemicals. This funding will enable them to advance their research on PFAS pollution solutions. “This is a big moment for Myconaut,” said Ryan Iacovacci, Co-founder and CEO. “We believe our research-driven biological products hold the potential to contribute to planetary health and soil pollution remediation on a global scale.” For more information about Myconaut and its grant, visit the link below: https://lnkd.in/djAyiMKm #Myconaut #NSFGrant #Mycoremediation #Bioeconomy #SustainableInnovation #PFASRemediation #Innovate #MarquetteMI #marquette #biotech #Innovation #UP #NationalScienceFoundation

Last week we held our annual Women in Entrepreneurship event! This week, we want to share some of our favorite moments. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible speakers- Lane Clark, MSW, Vicki Schwab, and Georgia Grace Edwards! We look forward to seeing you again next year as we continue to celebrate and empower female founders, business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs within our community. Click here to see the full photo gallery of the event: https://lnkd.in/gVXwN9FC And one more sincere thank you to the sponsors that made Women in Entrepreneurship possible- Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Northern Initiatives, Warner Norcross + Judd, Dead River Coffee, Double Trouble Entertainment, Botánica Quetzalli, Zonta Club of the Marquette Area, with support from City of Marquette. To the team that puts it all together- thanks for your support as we've planned Women in Entrepreneurship these last few months! Now, on to next year's planning! Kristin (Johnson) Tanner Lauren Call Aubry Healy Vaughn Rodriguez Joe T. Paulette P. Mari Shelafoe Lindsey Dameworth Audrey S. Taylor Warren Eric Prue Allison Peters Lewis Goff Anna Vanderhoef Sarah Gimpl Eric Elliot Henry Westlind Kate Cudney Nick Herriff Heather Maurer Elizabeth Kucharek #InnovateMarquette #WomeninEntrepreneurship #Marquette #Michigan #UP #Event #Networking #Business #Entrepreneurship #Connect #Community#Startups#LocalBusiness #AnnualEvent #Inspire #Tech #Innovation

We've partnered up with Electric Outdoors to find product development interns for the summer of 2024! But what is Electric Outdoors? Electric Outdoors is an innovative startup who wants to revolutionize how you enjoy the great outdoors sustainably. Their new product, the EO Canopy, is an off-grid solution powered entirely by sustainable energy sources, offering everything you need to get away and disconnect. Electric Outdoors is looking for passionate outdoors people who are looking to gain hands on experience working on their pilot project right here in the Upper Peninsula! Interested in learning more? Read more in the original post below! 👇

We're so excited to congratulate SwimSmart Founder and CEO, Jacob Soter, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on their new partnership that led to the successful installation of an all-new electronic beach safety notification system at Grand Haven State Park. SwimSmart was created to empower beachgoers, through innovative technology, to make safe decisions when it comes to water recreation. Water safety is essential for enjoying outdoor recreation and SwimSmart is leading the charge in making it more accessible to all. “This partnership with the Michigan DNR brings us one step closer to realizing our mission of preventing the next water emergency from happening,” - Jacob Soter For more information about this exciting development, click the link below! https://lnkd.in/dBYEKvwK

Thank you to everyone that attended Women in Entrepreneurship yesterday! We believe in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in all generations and creating an environment that is welcoming for anyone interested in entrepreneurship. It was great to see so many kiddos in attendance! We hope this event continues to inspire and ignite a passion for women in entrepreneurship, as well as the next generation of innovators in Marquette. Thank you to our talented speakers and sponsors that made the event possible- Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Northern Initiatives, Dead River Coffee, Warner Norcross + Judd, Botánica Quetzalli, Zonta Club of the Marquette Area, Double Trouble Entertainment, with support from the City of Marquette. More photos to come soon! Georgia Grace Edwards, Gnara 📸: emmooncreative on instagram #womeninentrepreneurship #michiganbusiness #upperpeninsula #innovation #marquettemichigan #event #entrepreneurship