Big idea, meet big business.
Sweat and inspiration aside, sometimes it's all about the connections.
Digital Edge plans to make that process a bit easier for Michigan start-ups. The Ann Arbor-based non-profit takes a LinkedIn approach by connecting local entrepreneurs with the wide range of state resources they might not even know exist.
"Our focus is Michigan but primarily southeast Michigan," says Joe Minock, managing chair of Digital Edge. "The main goal is connecting the heads of web start-ups with the resources available throughout southeast Michigan from a business standpoint and an investment standpoint. It's literally like a MySpace or Facebook for Michigan."
Think venture capital and angel investors. Think tips on how to avoid new business pitfalls and ways to squeeze a buck. The bits and pieces of advice not found in business schools but needed for a start-up to make it into the profitability and job creating phase.
So far about 50 people have joined the site, started last summer, and Minock expects that number to grow to 200 by the year ends. He even thinks it possible it could become bigger sooner.
"We're seeing some phenomenal growth that we're excited about," Minock says.
Right now the website is based out of Ann Arbor because that's where Minock works. However, the small group of people that keep it up (which come from as far away as Flint) work from home, so "Digital Edge is wherever we happen to be at the same time," Minock says.
For the time being Digital Edge is right here, right now. That's at least until it takes off like Minock and his minions hope it will one day soon.
Source: Joe Minock, managing chair of Digital Edge
Writer: Jon Zemke
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