The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) has announced the winners of eight Inclusive Entrepreneurship Support Grants (IESG), intended to break down barriers for disadvantaged small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators in communities of color.
IESG is a $10 million program to support small business development initiatives across the state. MEDC received more than 620 applications totaling $580 million in funding requested.
Applications addressed key economic development issues facing Michigan, including clean energy, infrastructure, post-secondary education attainment, talent attraction and retention, health care innovation, childcare, and urban and rural future mobility.
With $500,000 deployed to both the Lansing Economic Area Partnership and the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance and $200,000 retained for administration of the program, $8.8 million in funding will be deployed to the eight awardees.
Grant recipients include:
Dunamis Charge ($2.5 million) — Founded and headquartered in Detroit, Dunamis Charge is a leading developer of EV charging, specializing in providing innovative charging solutions that cater to the growing needs of EV users and contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Its mission is to make EV charging accessible, reliable, and efficient for all communities.
Funds from the IESG program will be utilized to expand its operations and enhance its product offerings in five key areas: EV infrastructure development, technological innovation, community outreach and education, workforce development and training, and vendor support for Michigan-based minority and women-owned businesses.
CircNova ($1 million) — CircNova is a high-growth biotech startup in Detroit leveraging AI-driven drug discovery to produce non-coding circular RNA contributing significantly to the field of RNA therapeutic development by advancing programmable medicine targeting previously undruggable diseases and medical needs.
Awarded funds support the launch of CircNova’s laboratory including research director and lab technical staff. This award also enables the hiring of a full-time software developer, responsible for the design and build of the NovaEngine.
The Mackinac Technology Company ($1 million) — The Mackinac Technology Co., based in Kentwood, south of Grand Rapids, develops technologies into useful products for residential, commercial, and government buildings, consumer electronics, and mobility applications to improve the health, comfort, and safety of people’s everyday lives.
The company has performed over $15 million of federally funded research to develop an ultra-lightweight and clear window cover that can reduce the electricity used in an average house each year by about the same amount as is needed to operate that family’s electric vehicle. They will use IESG funds to transition out of the laboratory and into the real world of manufacturing and selling products.
NX Fuels Inc. ($1 million) — NX Fuels Inc., established in 2019 in Ann Arbor, is a climate tech startup making the SunH2 system. This system produces green hydrogen (H₂) from water or seawater using renewable solar energy. In addition to H₂, this platform technology produces green fuels from carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water, all powered by renewable solar. NX Fuels’ vision is to accelerate the transition to a Net-Zero economy by decarbonizing existing processes with its solar fuel systems and supplying various green products such as green hydrogen, methanol, syngas, methane, ammonia, and other C₂+ compounds.
Its IESG award will be used to hire additional support staff, including a safety/system engineer, an application engineer, and a test engineer to design and build a H2 separation subsystem in compliance with the safety standards required for a comprehensive demonstration of the overall solar H2 system.
Ginosko Modular ($1 million) — Based in Romulus, Ginosko Modular produces modules, or “livable-sized Lego blocks,” in its factory. The company then delivers, stacks, and connects those blocks to create all types of affordable housing, from apartment buildings to single family homes, primarily for low- to moderate-income families. Ginosko Modular’s more efficient process has been shown to result in a higher-quality building, delivered in a shorter time frame, with more predictable costs and fewer environmental impacts.
With the IESG award, the company will finish the build out of the main office area, the materials office, and display area within the factory.
Unified Business Technologies ($1 million) — Based in Troy, Unified Business Technologies (UBT) is a woman- and minority-owned enterprise with a silver veteran status, meaning 25 percent of its workforce is veterans. The company aims to drive substantial progress in sustainable technology and advanced manufacturing, ensuring a greener and more technologically advanced future. This mission is supported by a strong foundation in electronic manufacturing and IT services, enabling the company to deliver products that meet the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and innovation.
With the IESG funds, UBT seeks to further its mission of pioneering sustainable and innovative technological solutions while providing training, mentoring and opportunities for underserved minorities.
SBE Medical Inc. ($800,000) — SBE Medical Inc. is a Veteran-owned medical device design and manufacturing company based in Grand Rapids, co-owned by Dan Byers and Nick Borgdorff. In collaboration with Spectrum Health Innovations (now Corewell Health) and the Spartan Innovations accelerator, SBE Medical has developed the Tibbe EUD, an innovative External Urine Collection Device designed as a safer alternative to traditional internal catheters.
SBE Medical is poised to use its IESG funds to enhance its production capabilities, make critical infrastructure improvements and support key functions such as engineering, regulatory compliance, marketing, and administration.
Union Heritage ($500,000) — As a majority African American- and woman-owned firm based in Detroit, Union Heritage is a Michigan-first early-stage investor that understands the importance of providing culturally competent support and resources that extend beyond traditional investment capital. Union Heritage’s goal is to build Michigan into an inclusive entrepreneurial environment where founders feel and are supported in building their businesses.
The IESG award provides Union Heritage with essential resources to make it easier to fund and support startups in Michigan. This funding will allow its team to hire additional investment professionals and expand its entrepreneur support services.
“The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Support Grant recipients will drive impact in some of the state’s key strategic priorities, from clean energy to affordable housing,” says Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of the MEDC.
“This was a very highly competitive application process, and we are proud to support the growth of these eight grantees. Still, work remains to provide future opportunities to Michiganders and businesses, and Team Michigan remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring anyone can ‘Make It in Michigan.”
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