Why Southwest Michigan?

Southwest Michigan has a rich heritage of entrepreneurial spirit and business success that defines today’s healthcare industry.

Here, you will find the origins of The Upjohn Company, founded by Dr. W.E. Upjohn. This is also the home of the Stryker® Corporation formed by Dr. Homer Stryker, physician, surgeon and inventor. Both companies have had profound influence on the delivery of modern healthcare around the world. Their legacy not only shaped the future of medicine but also created a community with the resources and talents fundamental to nurturing
medical enterprises.

Why MMDA?

The leadership of the MMDA has decades of experience growing and developing medical device business not just locally or nationally but also globally. We are prepared to work shoulder-to-shoulder with inventors and developers to navigate through the key processes necessary to develop a successful enterprise in the medical device industry.

The MMDA is part of Southwest Michigan First, a leading economic development catalyst. Our commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship has fostered the creation of the world-renowned Kalamazoo Promise college scholarship program; the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, a life science accelerator that has launched more than two dozen start-ups; the $100 million Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund, the nation’s largest community-based venture fund; and First Angels, an angel network providing seed money to young entrepreneurs.

Mission

To be the recognized global leader in the development of medical device jobs and wealth through the creation, acceleration and location
of medical device focused companies.

Vision

To be the foundation of a Medical Device Community that incorporates medicine, research, design, development and manufacturing in Southwest Michigan to develop technologies that will enable patients to live normal, healthy lives.

What Types of Ideas Are We Looking for?

Our management team is experienced in finding, vetting and developing medical device concepts from the “back of the napkin” to commercialization.

The MMDA seeks medical device concepts that are in the very earliest stages of development that would benefit from the accelerator’s ability to manage the project from concept to reality.

We seek inventors that are willing to relocate, if necessary, to the welcoming climate of resources and support in Southwest Michigan. We will then work to bring the concept to market through local manufacturers with years of experience in the medical device industry.

We believe in ideas that focus on improving patient safety, reducing costs to the healthcare system and improving
clinical outcomes.