Whether it is “Startup Weekend” or “Maker Week”, student inventors and entrepreneurs in Michigan are developing business start-ups at a rapid rate. At the University of Michigan, Startup Weekend by Google for Entrepreneurs, managed by the U-M student organization, MPowered, launched an amazing “startup-athon” of innovation and creation. U-M students, researchers, and entrepreneurs are collaborating to develop community focused, real-world solutions that are leading to game-changing economic opportunities in Michigan and beyond.

1. Small Business Development Center
Startup Weekend: Maker Edition
Lansing Community College
West Campus Tech Center
October 10-12, 2014
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2. SBDCMichigan.org
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Organizers
•
Lansing
Community
•
College
•
Lansing
Economic Area
•
Partnership
(LEAP)

3. SBDCMichigan.org
Concept: Develop a product and
launch a business over a 54 hour
weekend event.
Startup Weekend
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Goal: Students learn
about teams and
networking; problem
solving; Lean startup
concepts like Minimum
Viable Product; intro-duced
to modern manufacturing
methods & tools

4. SBDCMichigan.org
Why do a Maker event?
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Showcase LCC Tech Center
•
Spotlight careers in Product Design and Manufacturing
•
Build on Michigan’s long history as a leader in making
things
•
Promote LEAP’s New Economy initiatives in 3D printing /
additive manufacturing

5. SBDCMichigan.org
PARTICIPANTS
•
23 people participated
•
Diverse group culturally and intellectually
•
More women than men
•
75% were LCC students
•
One MSU professor
•
Two MIT PhD students
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6. SBDCMichigan.org
Participant Comment
“We literally started the weekend with an idea -
a concept, and we were able to take that idea
and create something tangible. I'm still amazed at
the creative energy that everyone had. Best part
about it, the driving force wasn't the will to win,
but the passion to create.”
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7. SBDCMichigan.org
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Participant Comment
“We came together as a team working on all aspects
of the project from the mechanical’s, to the proto
type, to the uses, to promoting, and then the
presentation. We … are now working on going
forward to see where this will take us. I am looking
forward to working with my team to bring Maizena
3D to its full potential and the many uses for this
product..”

8. SBDCMichigan.org
Participant Comment
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“What's awe inspiring, is that I was able to connect
with what started as a group of perfect… and
ended as a group of friends and partners. We
literally started the weekend with an idea -
a concept, and we were able to take that idea and
create something tangible. I'm still amazed at the
creative energy that everyone had.”

9. SBDCMichigan.org
RESULTS
•
4 new product prototypes were developed
•
3 of the teams went on to present at LEAP’s
pitch contest, The Hatching
•
One of the teams has had licensing inquiries and
is currently working with an IP attorney
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10. SBDCMichigan.org
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Headline: 3D Printing News 10/14/14
“Maizena 3D Creates an Air Powered Extruder: 3D
prints with corn starch mixture & has lots of
potential”

11. SBDCMichigan.org
Lansing Maker Week Video
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