The Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN) has awarded five companies matching grants as part of its Small Company Innovation Program (SCIP). Under the SCIP, small- to medium-sized tech companies looking to speed up commercialization efforts can receive matching funds for research projects at one of the organization’s participating universities: Wayne State University; the University of Michigan; Michigan State University; Michigan Technological University; University of Michigan-Dearborn; and Western Michigan University.
Projects that qualify for the SCIP are funded with matches of $20,000 to $40,000. Participating companies, which can have no more than 500 employees and must be based in Michigan, supply a 1:1 match of funds, for a total project budget of $40,000 to $80,000.
Eight grant winners were previously announced in May. The latest projects to receive awards are:
—Applied Engineering Technology and Wayne State University: Ann Arbor’s Applied Engineering Technologies was founded in 2004 and has created treatment shaft components to combat the problem of contamination caused by wastewater overflows into lakes and rivers after major storms. The project received $36,003.
—Comet Technology Corporation and Wayne State University: Comet Technology Corporation, based in Ann Arbor, develops software tools for resolving noise and vibration problems with applications in automotive, aerospace, heavy equipment, and the consumer product industries. The project received $40,000.
—HyGenesis and the University of Michigan: Troy-based HyGenesis has developed a system to reduce hospital-acquired infections to be used in healthcare and school settings. The project received $35,573.
—Northwest Michigan Biodiesel and Michigan State University: Northwest Michigan Biodiesel, located in Traverse City, sustainably produces biodiesel and ethanol from waste food products. The project received $20,000.
—Quantalux and Michigan State University: Ann Arbor’s Quantalux provides energy research services for applications including biogas, solar thermal, and thermal storage materials. The project received $39,952.
The MCRN also announced it is accepting requests for proposals from tech entrepreneurs for the next round of grant funding. The deadline to apply is Sept. 27; click here to apply.
