The Michigan Initiative for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIEE) has awarded a major grant in support of a new internship program connecting start-up businesses with enthusiastic, talented college students in our region.  The goal of the “Entrepreneurship Internship Program (EIP),” slated to begin in January 2009, is to encourage entrepreneurship, and to increase retention of Michigan’s most talented students as they become engaged with promising start-up companies.

The Entrepreneurship Internship Program is a collaborative project between Central Michigan University (CMU), Michigan State University (MSU), Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint), and the MidMichigan Innovation Center (MMIC).  Thirty two students will be matched with start-up companies, based on their background, goals and location preferences.  Participating companies will receive financial support and provide a diverse pool of internship opportunities drawn from throughout the region.

Says MSU Director of Research Facilitation and Dissemination, and project lead Loraine J. Hudson, “This is an outstanding way to increase the number of students who can receive experience in start-up companies, and it helps those start-up companies by giving them access to low-cost business and planning assistance.  Our goal is to facilitate these matches and retain both the companies and the trained students here in Michigan.”

Students will be exposed to high level business planning training, real world entrepreneurial work experience, and a mid-Michigan network of resources and opportunities.  Participants’ level of entrepreneurial knowledge will be greatly enhanced, increasing their value to entrepreneurial companies.  These students will have much greater rates of entrepreneurial employment, and at the same time, entrepreneurial companies will have access to highly talented, productive students at a low cost, fostering overall economic development in the region.

Involved in this and other related efforts, Charlie Burke, Associate Director of CMU’s Labelle Entrepreneurial Center praises the collaborative efforts of the five organizations, “This began as information discussion, and with the help of the MIIE grant, we’re working together to use our unique strengths to support Michigan’s needs for entrepreneurs in unique and effective ways.  There is no reason to work independently; and many reasons to work together!”  

The Entrepreneurship internship has two components:  On-the job training, and an online “Virtual Boot Camp.”  The Boot Camp will have complimentary online resources and training modules addressing all elements of the business plan and funding process that compliment what students learn in the classroom. 

At the center of the collaboration is the MidMichigan Innovation Center.  Brent Case, Executive Director of MMIC and project manager for the grant, says, “This program was created because entrepreneurial businesses from around the region have expressed a strong interest in working with talented students from the areas universities.  This program will help make those connections occur more deliberately.  Many companies have already been identified for potential internship opportunities.  I encourage interested students and start-up companies to contact MMIC to learn more about the program.” Case believes this pilot program will prove to be very valuable and ultimately a great benefit to the region’s companies, students and for Michigan.

For more information on the program as it is developed, individuals and businesses may contact Brent Case:

Brent Case, Executive Director                  
MidMichigan Innovation Center
(989) 839-2334
case@mmic.us