AquaAction and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification recently announced the launch of AquaEntrepreneur Michigan, a new commercialization program that helps promising water-tech small- and medium-sized businesses in the state to scale their businesses.
The support will be for companies located alongside the state’s ports, utilities, and water infrastructure operators who are seeking innovative solutions to their water challenges.
Supported through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) Maritime Innovation Grant for the next two years, AquaAction is inviting applications from up to 12 water technology companies for the program’s inaugural year.
The announcement was made at ReShore 2026 in Traverse City, Michigan’s annual gathering of leaders in advanced manufacturing, mobility, and maritime innovation, co-hosted by Traverse Connect and MichAuto.
Building on AquaAction’s program model, which, since its creation in 2022, has helped 61 companies land 550 pilot projects and grow their collective annual revenue to more than $200 million, AquaEntrepreneur says it intends to make a significant impact in Michigan.
AquaEntrepreneur provides economic development infrastructure for the Great Lakes region based on what it calls a simple principle; lasting jobs and economic growth begin by helping local businesses succeed.
Participants receive customized coaching, technical guidance, and guaranteed opportunities to pilot their technologies in real-world settings, which can be the critical step between a promising innovation and successful commercialization.
AquaAction has built a network of regional pilot partners, including Friends of the Rouge, the Port of Detroit/Wayne County, and the Great Lakes Water Authority. Each organization has agreed to help support technology deployment through AquaEntrepreneur Michigan.
“We’re thrilled to bring our proven blue-tech innovation model to Michigan,” says Soula Chronopoulos, president of AquaAction. “The state is full of innovative companies that often need just two things to succeed: expert guidance and the pilot opportunities that can be a golden ticket to commercialization.
“We’re here to provide both, and to help build a thriving blue-tech economy in Michigan and beyond. We invite entrepreneurs to connect with us.”
Justine Johnson, chief mobility officer for the state of Michigan, says, “Michigan’s future depends on turning innovative ideas into technologies that strengthen our economy and our infrastructure. AquaAction’s commercialization model brings together entrepreneurs, industry, and public-sector partners in a way that supports both economic growth and the long-term competitiveness of Michigan’s maritime sector.”
The initiative is said to align with Michigan’s Maritime Strategy by expanding opportunities for startup commercialization, fostering new partnerships between innovators and infrastructure operators, and helping accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve the resilience and sustainability of the Great Lakes region.
To learn more about AquaEntrepreneur Michigan, including how to apply, visit website.
