Founder Forward launches statewide initiative.
Founder Forward Michigan
Contact: leadership@founderforwardmi.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Founder Forward Launches: A statewide initiative to attract and retain high-growth founders, strengthening Michigan’s innovation ecosystem and economic future.
Detroit, MI — [October 27, 2025] — At a time when Michigan is accelerating efforts to grow its population and strengthen its economy, the Michigan Growth Office unveiled Make MI Home, a first-in-the-nation talent attraction and retention program to ensure founders are part of that momentum. As part of the rollout, $769,000 in new grants were awarded to five regional consortiums – including Founder Forward – bringing total investment to nearly $1.5 million, and fueling ten new programs across the state focused on talent, population growth, and long-term prosperity.
Michigan Women Forward (MWF), Femology, Verdigris Group, and Michigan Central have joined forces to launch Founder Forward, a statewide fellowship designed to attract, retain, and accelerate high-growth startup founders in Michigan, and help early-stage entrepreneurs not only start companies, but stay, scale, hire, and build generational roots.
Founder Forward will recruit 20 Fellows, 10 relocating from outside the state and 10 scaling their ventures from within Michigan. Fellows will receive financial support, workspace inside Newlab at Michigan Central, expert-led programming, and access to Michigan’s growing network of investors, mentors, and industry partners.
Founder Forward is now accepting applications through November 30, 2025, welcoming visionary founders ready to scale in Michigan.
Key program benefits include:
Relocation & Startup Support: $5,000 relocation grants for out-of-state fellows and $1,000 for in-state fellows.
Professional Growth & Mentorship: Expert-led workshops, weekly office hours, and one-on-one consulting focused on fundraising, operations, leadership, and investor readiness.
Access to Michigan’s Innovation Infrastructure: A 12-month membership and workspace at Michigan Central, the state’s premier district for mobility and technology innovation.
Community Integration & Leadership Development: Monthly networking events, peer group facilitation, and civic engagement projects to strengthen local community connections.
Visibility & Showcase Opportunities: Fellows will be spotlighted at statewide events, including a high-profile Founder Showcase that connects founders with investors, partners, and ecosystem leaders.
As Michigan continues to emerge as a national leader in mobility, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, Founder Forward represents a bold step in cultivating the state’s next wave of startup talent. The 2026 fellowship provides financial relocation or retainment support, professional development, ecosystem integration, and access to Michigan’s growing network of investors, mentors, and innovation hub workspace at Michigan Central.
“Founder Forward reflects Michigan’s commitment to cultivating a world-class innovation ecosystem,” said Meagan Ward, Founder of Femology and Program Partner. “By investing directly in entrepreneurial leaders, we’re not just supporting businesses, we’re building the infrastructure of Michigan’s economic future.”
Founder Forward provides a suite of tools, capital, and connections to empower early-to mid-stage entrepreneurs building scalable ventures. The program is open to founders across industries including technology, sustainability, manufacturing, healthcare, and the creative economy.
Through direct financial support, mentorship, and ecosystem integration, the initiative aims to:
Attract and retain entrepreneurial talent in Michigan;
Support over 250 businesses through mentorship and programming;
Create 30+ new jobs and generate more than $3 million in new revenue;
Foster long-term attachment, with 80% of Fellows remaining in Michigan post-program.
“This is about making Michigan the place where founders want to be,” said Carolyn Cassin, CEO of Michigan Women Forward. “With the right mix of capital, community, and infrastructure, Michigan can compete with any startup hub in the country.”
Founder Forward is powered by a cross-sector consortium that brings together the expertise and infrastructure necessary for statewide impact:
Michigan Women Forward (MWF) — Serves as fiduciary and lead implementing partner, ensuring financial stability and economic equity outcomes through its statewide network as a certified CDFI.
Femology — Provides founder recruitment, programming, coworking space, and marketing, fostering a culture of innovation and connectivity.
Verdigris Group — Implements educational workshops, mentoring, and consulting support from subject matter experts and founders.
Michigan Central — A 30-acre tech and culture hub that provides the infrastructure, network and expertise for cross-sector collaboration between startups, Fortune 500 companies, academia, government, artists, investors and non-profits to solve society's biggest mobility challenges.
Together, these partners are creating a model for regional innovation that’s both inclusive and economically transformative.
About Michigan Women Forward (MWF):
Michigan Women Forward (MWF) is a certified community development financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs through access to capital, business resources, and ecosystem support. Since its founding, MWF has deployed over $15 million in microloans and growth capital, supporting more than 1,500 underrepresented-owned businesses across Michigan. MWF also provides education, mentorship, and technical assistance, helping entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses that generate jobs and strengthen local economies. MWF celebrates outstanding underrepresented leaders by honoring their contributions to the community, economy, and state, inspiring the next generation of inclusive leaders. With a vision of creating an inclusive economy for Michigan, MWF works to ensure that underrepresented entrepreneurs can build viable businesses, accumulate long-term wealth, and contribute to a more equitable and resilient economic future.
About Femology:
Femology is a nationally recognized platform accelerating women-led companies through capital access, strategic visibility, and evidence-based programming proven to drive scale, innovation, and economic impact. With a demonstrated track record of guiding founders from concept to commercialization and investment, Femology expands pathways to capital, connects entrepreneurs to industry and venture networks, and equips them with the tools required to compete and win in high-growth sectors. As a Founding Partner of Michigan Central, Femology leads signature innovation programming and economic development initiatives that strengthen Michigan’s startup pipeline and attract, retain, and scale women-led ventures. Its work spans founder education, investor readiness, ecosystem coordination, and cross-sector partnerships that support job creation, technology deployment, and long-term business growth.
About Verdigris Group:
Verdigris Group is a startup consulting firm built by founders for founders. The Verdigris team are not just advisors; they are embedded team members who roll up their sleeves to help their clients achieve their next catalytic milestone. Since its founding in 2024, Verdigris has supported over 50 companies, raised over $200M for clients, and taken interim leadership roles to achieve new product and new program launches. Verdigris builds Hardtech, early-stage companies in the following three divisions: medical technology, manufacturing & minerals, and consumer packaged goods. With a team that has founded over 20 startups, Verdigris’ core expertise is in building companies. Verdigris is the proud entrepreneurial support partner of Michigan’s Founder Forward Fellowship.
About Michigan Central:
Michigan Central is a 30-acre technology and cultural hub in Detroit, where leaders, thinkers, communities and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that shape our collective future. By providing access to world-class infrastructure, tools, and resources, Michigan Central inspires innovators and community members to collaborate on real, ground-breaking solutions to global problems. Since opening in April 2023, Michigan Central has grown into a diverse ecosystem of nearly 250 companies and startups working at the intersection of mobility, technology and society. Learn more at Michigan Central.
