Entrepreneurship and The 7Cs™

Page 1

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & THE 7Cs™

AUTOMATIONALLEY.COM



WE MATCH ENTREPRENEURS WITH BUSINESS RESOURCES Automation Alley matches technology-driven startup companies across Southeast Michigan with resources, support and ®

investment dollars, helping entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable, marketable technologies and services.

The 7Cs™

SurClean, Inc. is a clean technology startup that eliminates hazardous waste,

ABOUT AUTOMATION ALLEY ®

employee risk and

for your product, service or technology,

cost with its SurClean Laser Robotics System. Shown here: the system achieves selective removal of top coat from primer on aluminum substrate. SurClean, Inc. is an Automation Alley

seeking accelerated commercialization

®

technology investment client located in Wixom.

Automation Alley is a technology business

the 7Cs™ program — exclusive to Automation

association and business accelerator

Alley — will put you on the path to startup

dedicated to growing the economy of

success. Our entrepreneurship experts will guide

Southeast Michigan and enhancing the

you through a customized seven-step process that

region’s reputation around the world.

includes intense coaching and a firm commitment

Automation Alley offers talent and business

from Automation Alley to invest resources and

development programs and matchmaking services

capital into your startup.

®

®

®

®

to tech-focused businesses of all sizes — from startups to large corporations — to help them

SHORTEN YOUR TIME TO SUCCESS

grow and prosper. Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley’s membership has grown to

The 7Cs™ program accelerates the growth

include nearly 1,000 businesses, educational

of advanced manufacturing and technology

institutions, government entities and nonprofit

startups through a seven-step process:

organizations from the city of Detroit and the

Community:

®

surrounding eight-county region.

AUTOMATION ALLEY ® 7Cs™

» Concept » Context » Clarity » Customers

If you’re an advanced manufacturing

» Capital

entrepreneur beyond the idea stage and are

» Commercialization


01

COMMUNITY At every stage, take advantage of the immense resources and talent available to you through the Automation Alley network. ®

02

03

04

Meet with our entrepreneurship team

Develop a business model resulting

Refine your value proposition through

to determine if your startup is a good fit

in a working value proposition, and create

market research, and identify First Match

a First Look sales pitch video.

opportunities.

CONCEPT

for the

7Cs™

program.

CONTEXT

CLARITY


AUTOMATIONALLEY.COM

The 7Cs™ program matches technology-driven startup companies with unparalleled support and investment dollars. Here’s how it works:

05

06

07

Develop a prototype to take to market

Meet with investment entities to secure

Enter the full Automation Alley networking

for analysis and feedback, explore

capital. With beta customers secured and

stream to rapidly scale production, secure

crowdfunding where appropriate and

your business model validated, you are

resources, create jobs and become a mentor

secure first beta customer(s).

well-positioned for investment.

to new 7Cs™ participants.

CUSTOMERS

CAPITAL

COMMERCIALIZATION ®


Lighthouse Molding, an Automation Alley 7Cs™

®

client, is a

technology leader in low-pressure over-

7Cs™ Program Highlights 7Cs™ FIRST LOOK

7Cs™ FIRST MATCH

here is the company’s

One of the major challenges faced by

At Automation Alley , we help grow the

Sureshot ™ machine,

entrepreneurs and startups is securing that

local technology industry by connecting

which uses two

very first customer. That’s why we created

Southeast Michigan businesses to emerging

manufacturing stations

First Look, a collection of two-minute sales

innovations — and your technology might

to overmold assemblies

videos promoting each of our 7Cs™ clients

be the next big discovery. Through First Match,

with one or multiple

and showcasing their products and services.

we present your technology to our deep network

configurations. Light-

The videos give potential customers a “first look”

of innovation officers at major automotive and

house Molding is located

at the innovative products and services offered

manufacturing suppliers, giving them critical

in Sterling Heights.

by our technology startup clients.

early access to the innovations that could take

molding to encapsulate and protect electronic assemblies. Shown

®

their business — and yours — to the next level.


AUTOMATIONALLEY.COM

Funding In addition to the 7Cs™ program, we offer access to a variety of funding resources, including grants, loans and private investment.

AUTOMATION ALLEY ® PRE-SEED FUND For Southeast Michigan startup companies in competitive-edge technologies (e.g., alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, homeland security, information technology, etc.). Range: Up to $50,000 investment

BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FUND For Michigan companies commercializing advanced technology that have not raised more than $1 million in private sector capital and do not have more than $2.5 million in annual revenue. Range: Up to $50,000 grant to fund business accelerator services

SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM

FIRST STEP FUND For emerging and newly-formed small businesses

For small businesses with new, high-tech

in Southeast Michigan that have successfully

innovation ideas or new applications for patented

completed a training program through a qualified

technologies. This is a highly competitive program

regional business accelerator or incubator.

that encourages domestic small businesses to

Companies must be past the concept development

engage in federal research and development

and analysis phase and be close to initial sales.

that has the potential for commercialization.

Range: $10,000-$50,000 loan

Range: Phase I: Up to $150,000 for six months Phase II: Up to $1 million for two years (upon successful completion of Phase I)

SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM

THE MICHIGAN PRE-SEED FUND 2.0 (MPSF 2.0 MICRO-INVESTMENT FUND) For early-stage high-tech companies interested in opportunities originating from technology innovation in Michigan universities and

For small businesses interested in collaborating

in pre-seed and seed-stage investments.

with nonprofit research institutions. This program

Range: Up to $50,000 in micro-investments

expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena.

PRIVATE INVESTMENT

Range: Phase I: Up to $100,000 for one year Phase II: Up to $750,000 for two years

Automation Alley assists startups and entrepreneurs

(upon successful completion of Phase I)

in identifying and pursuing private investments

®

(e.g. angel funds, venture capital funds, etc.). Range: Not specified

43

Number of high-tech Southeast Michigan startup companies Automation Alley

®

has invested in

$8.84 Million

Invested in high-tech Southeast Michigan startup companies by Automation Alley

$115 Million In follow-on

capital awarded to Automation Alley seed-funded companies

®

®


2675 Bellingham Drive Troy, MI 48083-2044 Phone: 248.457.3200 Toll free: 800.427.5100 Fax: 248.457.3210 info@automationalley.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.