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