Centrepolis Make It in Michigan grant deadline extended

The deadline to apply for the Centrepolis Accelerator’s Make It in Michigan Prototyping Grant program has been extended to July 14, offering an expanded window for companies focused on autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, mobility and multimodal solutions to secure funding and development support. The program is part of a broader effort to help reinforce Michigan's position as a leader in innovative mobility and cleantech sectors, leveraging local collaborations to drive product development and commercialization.

Designed to support both startups and established firms, the program allocates individual grants of up to $100,000 to at least 15 qualifying companies, with a total funding pool of $2 million, to accelerate technical progress in emerging mobility and electrification technologies. Key areas of focus include product development, prototyping, product testing, and manufacturing readiness, with the program embracing all modes of transportation - air, ground and marine. Importantly, the initiative prioritizes businesses based in Michigan or those demonstrating a strong commitment to develop and manufacture products within the state. It also aims to uplift disadvantaged businesses, firms located in distressed or rural communities, and companies relocating or expanding their operations in Michigan.

The grant program is a partnership between the Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), alongside the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI). 

Centrepolis Accelerator, known for its focus on hardware entrepreneurs and small manufacturers, provides more than just financial support. It offers vital technical assistance and connects companies with essential business and product development expertise. This focus on supply chain resiliency and cost-effective product development aims to help Michigan's advanced manufacturing and innovative hardware sectors thrive in the globally competitive landscape.

The program invites companies with technologies at Technological Readiness Levels (TRL) between 4 and 9, indicating a product that has moved beyond concept into development or near-market phases. This approach ensures that funding supports ventures with demonstrated technical progress and tangible potential.

Prospective applicants, particularly those engaged in developing new hardware solutions for electrification and autonomous mobility, are urged to take advantage of the extended application deadline. The program represents not only a financial opportunity but also an opportunity to foster homegrown technologies and supply chains that can compete globally while driving economic growth within the Midwest.