Mission Statement

Create Opportunities for Mid-Michigan’s entrepreneurs by offering business plan development and financial literacy trainings, access to capital and networking opportunities

EIM Facts

The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization whose mission is to "create opportunities for Mid-Michigan entrepreneurs by offering business plan development and financial literacy trainings, access to capital and networking opportunities." The “Institute” was initially established on November 20, 1995 as a collaborative effort between the City of Lansing, Michigan State University’s Center for Urban Affairs, Lansing Neighborhood Associations, Lansing Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Catholic Charities, First of America Bank (now National City), and Michigan National Bank (now Bank of America). The “Institute” has been providing business plan trainings and operating a revolving loan fund for over ten years.

Some facts about the organization:

  • 44% Men Business Plan Training Participants
  • 56% Women Business Plan Training Participants
  • 72% Minority Business Plan Training Participants
  • 82% Business Plan Development Training Completion Rate
  • 33 Micro-Loans Approved, $ 204,075 disbursed over ten years
  • Business Development Services include:
    • Credit Before Capital program
    • Foundations of Business Planning program
  • Serving the Mid-Michigan area
  • Assisted local businesses: Turkeyman, Chiffon’s Salon, Haze, Inc. Test of Time Enterprises, Braids -N-Things International, Margaret Ross Jewelry, Blessed Assurance Home Care, Natalia’s Hair Braiding, Steps Along the Way, Troubleshooters Technical Support, Hemlines Perfect Fit Alterations, Rhonda’s Reflections, Cameron Rautmann Photography, just to name a few.

History

The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan (formerly the Lansing Community Micro-Enterprise Fund or LCMF) was established on November 20, 1995. The creation of LCMF was a collaborative effort by the City of Lansing, Michigan State University’s Center for Urban Affairs, Lansing Neighborhood Associations, Lansing Community College’s Small Business Development Center, Catholic Charities, First of America Bank (now National City), and Michigan National Bank (now Standard Federal). The organization received its 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service on May 16, 1996, and hired a fill time Executive Director on November 4, 1996.

The first business training session was held in August of 1996. Since that time 32 other training sessions have been held with this last class being class #33. A total of more than 500 individuals have enrolled business plan development training program with 84% completing the training. Since that first training session 75+ entrepreneurs and businesses have been assisted by the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan, either with the business training sessions or with a micro-loan.