What Proto Accelerator does

Proto Accelerator is a three-month startup accelerator program operated by LEAP Inc. (Lansing Economic Area Partnership), a regional economic development coalition in Lansing, Michigan. The program invests $60,000 in seed funding per selected startup in exchange for equity or program participation, and is targeted at physical-product and technology startups globally, with a current disclosed portfolio of seven companies spanning portable nutrition (VADE Nutrition), insurance-tech (LVLFi, Supportomate), employer wellness (KudosHealth), medical devices (Sympill), industrial hardware (Black Pine), and consumer products (Spinning Speakers). The program is differentiated by its hybrid model: rather than serving only startups, it operates a parallel Corporate Innovation Platform that pairs cohort companies with Michigan-headquartered corporate partners (Delta Dental of Michigan, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, MEDC, and DIFS) for piloting and scaling. The go-to-market relies on referrals through the LEAP and Michigan State University networks, plus direct applications to the cohort program.

Underlying technology is not disclosed; PROTO does not appear to develop proprietary technology itself, instead providing prototyping, legal guidance, marketing, and business strategy support to portfolio companies. Several corporate partners' executives (e.g., Delta Dental CEO Goran Jurkovic; MEDC Senior Advisor Tino Breithaupt) sit as advisers and quote the program publicly, indicating an embedded operating relationship rather than transactional sponsorship. Revenue derives from two streams: startup investment returns via equity/appreciation in portfolio companies, and corporate partnership fees for participation in develop-source-pilot-scale programs. PROTO operates quasi-commercially as a program of a non-profit economic development body; it does not disclose separate financial statements and reports no external institutional ownership.

Name

Proto Accelerator

Legal name

LEAP Inc.

Website

https://protoaccelerator.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Proto Accelerator is a Lansing, Michigan-based three-month startup accelerator program operated by LEAP Inc., investing $60,000 in seed funding per selected physical-product or technology startup and pairing them with Michigan corporate partners for piloting and scaling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Startup accelerator program
• Seed funding startup
• Corporate innovation partnerships
• Technology startup incubation
• Physical product prototyping

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Startup Investment Returns: PROTO Accelerator invests $60,000 in seed funding to selected startups in exchange for equity or program participation. The accelerator generates returns through equity appreciation in portfolio companies.
2. Corporate Partnership Fees: Corporations pay to participate as innovation partners, accessing startup technologies and concepts for their innovation portfolios through develop, source, pilot, and scale programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Proto Accelerator runs a three-month startup accelerator program that provides physical product and technology startups with $60,000 in seed funding along with prototyping assistance, legal guidance, marketing support, business strategy resources, and direct introductions to corporate partners. The program simultaneously operates a Corporate Innovation Platform that partners with Michigan-based corporations (Delta Dental, Farm Bureau Insurance, MEDC) for develop, source, pilot, and scale engagement phases, enabling paid pilot opportunities between startups and enterprise customers.

Product overview

PROTO Accelerator is a startup accelerator program operated by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) that provides a 3-month intensive program for physical product startups. The core offering consists of the PROTO Accelerator Program itself, which provides $60,000 in seed funding along with operational support including prototyping assistance, legal guidance, marketing support, and business strategy consulting. The Corporate Innovation Platform works with enterprise partners to source, pilot, and scale promising startup technologies. Together, these services create a symbiotic relationship between startups seeking market entry and corporations seeking innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PROTO Accelerator Program A three-month startup accelerator program that provides selected physical product and technology startups with $60,000 in seed funding, prototyping assistance, legal guidance, marketing support, and business strategy resources needed to bring ideas from prototype to market.
• Corporate Innovation Platform A platform that collaborates with corporations such as Delta Dental, Farm Bureau Insurance, MEDC, and DIFS to expedite and support the development, sourcing, piloting, and scaling of startup technologies and concepts that fit their innovation portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Startups receive paid pilot opportunities with insurance carriers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Delta DentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Dental of Michigan is a corporate partner with multiple executives serving as PROTO advisers including Toby Hall (SVP, Chief Actuary, CDO), Jeff Botkin (SVP Business Services), Jeffery Johnston (VP and Chief Science Officer), Kenneth Theis (SVP/ CIO), and Margaret Trimmer (Director of Communications). CEO Goran Jurkovic stated the partnership aligns with their innovation priorities.
• Farm Bureau Insurance of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm Bureau Insurance of Michigan is a corporate partner with executives Kim Bailey (VP Information Systems) and Bill Hodges (Director of Marketing) serving as PROTO advisers.
• MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEDC is a corporate partner. Tino Breithaupt, Senior Advisor of Business Development, serves as a PROTO Corporate Partner.
• Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROTO Accelerator is a program of LEAP, the coalition of area leaders in Michigan's capital committed to building a prosperous and vibrant region. LEAP provides organizational infrastructure and office space.
• DIFS (Department of Insurance and Financial Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is listed as a current partner supporting the innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lansingproto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Proto Accelerator