Central Michigan University Research Corporation

Name

Central Michigan University Research Corporation

Legal name

Central Michigan University Research Corporation

Website

https://cmurc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Accelerator and Coworking Services

NAICS

Management of Companies and Enterprises (551), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSANAHAI

Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate)

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)

SECONDARYFSANAHAL

Corporate Deep Tech / R&D Commercialization CVC

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)

SECONDARYBPAGAKAC

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYFSANAHAE

Joint Venture CVC / Consortium Funds (Multi-corporate)

Financial & Insurance/Private Equity & Venture Capital/Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)

Keywords

• Business accelerator services
• Coworking space facilities
• Entrepreneurship support programs
• Startup incubation services
• Small business consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Mt Pleasant

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Coworking Memberships: Monthly membership fees for open coworking, dedicated desks, and private office space across Bay City, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, and Saginaw locations
2. CENS Membership Programs: Tiered annual membership programs for national security ecosystem engagement: CENS Partner ($249/year), Forward Access ($7,200/year), Mission Integration ($15,000/year), Decisive Capability ($25,000/year)
3. Accelerator Programs: Programs for entrepreneurs including Virtual Passport, Accelerator for innovative products, and Investment track for capital-ready companies
4. Donations and Endowments: Entrepreneur Like ME Fund accepting donations in partnership with Bay Area, Saginaw, Midland, and Mt. Pleasant Community Foundations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CMURC operates four coworking locations in the Great Lakes Bay Region (Bay City, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw) offering flexible workspace memberships, specialized lab facilities, and a portfolio of business accelerator programs (Virtual Passport, Accelerator, Investment, Lift ME) supporting entrepreneurs from ideation through capital readiness. It additionally runs the CENS national security innovation consortium, the BlueWater Angels angel investor network, the National Security Consortium seeking UARC designation, and the Entrepreneur Like ME endowment fund in partnership with four regional community foundations.

Product overview

CMURC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit business accelerator and coworking organization that operates as a multi-product service portfolio rather than a unified software platform. The core offering is CoWork RC, providing flexible physical workspace across four Michigan locations. Supporting programs include Virtual Passport (online entrepreneurship education), Accelerator Program (for IP-driven innovations), Investment Program (for funding-ready companies), and Lift ME (tribal entrepreneurship accelerator). Ancillary services include the Entrepreneur of the Year award, CMURC Labs (research facilities), CENS (national security consortium), BlueWater Angels (investor network), Entrepreneur Like ME Fund (endowment), Innovation Ambassadors (academic collaboration network), and the National Security Consortium (defense research coalition).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CoWork RC: Coworking space brand offering workspace solutions in the Great Lakes Bay Region
• Entrepreneur Like ME Fund
• BlueWater Angels
• CENS
• Lift ME

Products and services

• CoWork RC Professional coworking membership offering flexible workspace options including open coworking, dedicated desks, and private offices across four locations in the Great Lakes Bay Region (Bay City, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw) for entrepreneurs, remote workers, and small teams.
• Virtual Passport Program Online entrepreneurship program providing weekly strategy sessions, resources, peer network, and access to mentor partners for aspiring entrepreneurs not yet ready for in-person acceleration.
• Accelerator Program Business accelerator for innovative products with defensible IP, offering business summary review, professional assistance, and mentor partner connections for early-stage product companies.
• Investment Program Program for capital-ready companies providing investor pitch preparation and connection to funding opportunities through the BlueWater Angels network and broader Michigan Capital Network.
• Lift ME Tribal Incubator No-cost underserved business accelerator for Saginaw Chippewa Tribal entrepreneurs, providing custom work plans, peer discussions, weekly virtual sessions, designated account management, and networking opportunities.
• CENS National Security Innovation Consortium Tiered membership consortium (CENS Partner $249/year to Decisive Capability $25,000/year) aligning government, universities, and industry to move national security innovation from concept through deployment across TRL 1-9.
• National Security Consortium Michigan university consortium focused on strengthening U.S. national security through cutting-edge research, technology development, and workforce training in autonomy, energy resilience, advanced manufacturing, cyber-secure operations, and warfighter performance.
• CMURC Labs Specialized lab facilities including Motion Analysis Lab (motion capture and VR), X-Ray Diffraction Lab (PANalytical diffractometer), Drone Lab (30+ drones), Merchandising and Design Lab, and CMDT product testing facilities for researchers, scientists, and startups.
• BlueWater Angels Investor Network Angel investor network connecting startups with accomplished individuals and organizations from the Great Lakes Bay and mid-Michigan region for private capital investment and mentorship.
• Entrepreneur Like ME Endowment Fund Philanthropic endowment fund in partnership with Bay Area, Saginaw, Midland, and Mt. Pleasant Community Foundations accepting donations to fuel innovation, create jobs, and strengthen communities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.
• Innovation Ambassadors Network of Central Michigan University researchers and faculty experts providing expertise and collaboration opportunities in materials science, biotech, drone technology, textiles, neuroscience, and geophysics to startups and industry partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• $201M Capital Invested in Great Lakes Bay Region over 15 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Daymond John's Next Level CEO ShowminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 April 2026Erin Strang, CMURC President + CEO, featured on the Next Level CEO show hosted by entrepreneur Daymond John, an educational series spotlighting elite entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
• Kettering UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Initial member of the National Security Consortium led by CMU and CMURC. Contributing to defense-related research and workforce training for UARC designation.
• Lawrence Technological UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Initial member of the National Security Consortium contributing to defense research and development capabilities.
• University of Detroit MercymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Initial member of the National Security Consortium contributing to defense-related research capabilities.
• Eastern Michigan UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Initial member of the National Security Consortium expanding the consortium's research capabilities.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Office of Defense & Aerospace InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Led by Colonel John T. Gutierrez (Ret.), this office is driving the consortium's mission to achieve UARC designation and strengthen U.S. national security through defense research.
• Central Michigan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMU is the primary university partner providing research expertise, faculty collaboration, student engagement, and institutional resources. CMURC leverages CMU resources as a core component of its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEDC provides SmartZone designation, state resources, and 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund support. MEDC programs and funding opportunities are accessible through CMURC's accelerator programs.
• Lake Trust Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Lake Trust Business Breakthrough Day and entrepreneur events. Supports CMURC programs through marketing and event sponsorship.
• PNC BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPNC is the presenting sponsor for the Lift ME program, supporting underserved entrepreneurs in the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal community.
• Bay Area Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Entrepreneur Like ME Endowment Fund, providing philanthropic support for inclusive entrepreneurship in Bay County.
• Midland Area Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Entrepreneur Like ME Endowment Fund, providing philanthropic support for inclusive entrepreneurship in Midland County.
• Mt. Pleasant Area Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Entrepreneur Like ME Endowment Fund, providing philanthropic support for inclusive entrepreneurship in Isabella County.
• Saginaw Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Entrepreneur Like ME Endowment Fund, providing philanthropic support for inclusive entrepreneurship in Saginaw County.
• Comerica BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner providing Business Bootcamp programming on succession planning for CMURC entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator operator running sector-specific cohorts and a centralized mentor network. Comparable to CMURC as both run structured accelerator programs for early-stage startups, but Techstars operates at much larger global scale with venture-backed economics.
• Y Combinator: Pioneer startup accelerator offering batch-based programs, demo days, and investor access. Comparable to CMURC's Virtual Passport and Accelerator programs in serving aspiring founders with peer learning and investor readiness, though at vastly greater scale and primarily virtual.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Corporate innovation platform and accelerator connecting startups with enterprise partners across verticals. Highly comparable to CMURC's CENS consortium in functioning as an innovation intermediary between startups, universities, and large institutions.
• WeWork: Global flexible-workspace provider offering coworking, private offices, and enterprise solutions. Comparable to CMURC's CoWork RC brand in providing flexible workspace, but at global scale and with private-equity ownership rather than nonprofit structure.

Direct peers

• MassChallenge: Nonprofit global accelerator supporting high-impact startups with equity-free programs and corporate partnerships. Closely comparable to CMURC as both are nonprofit, community-driven accelerators offering programs, mentorship, and ecosystem support to early-stage founders.
• 1871: Chicago-based nonprofit tech hub and incubator providing coworking, programming, and corporate partnerships. Directly comparable to CMURC's CoWork RC and accelerator model as a regional nonprofit innovation hub serving startups and corporate members.
• Venture For America: Nonprofit fellowship and entrepreneurship program placing talent in emerging U.S. cities. Comparable to CMURC's regional economic development mission and inclusive entrepreneurship focus supporting founders in non-coastal U.S. markets.

Regional players

• Spartan Innovations: Michigan State University's startup support and venture creation arm. Comparable to CMURC as a Michigan-based university-affiliated innovation organization supporting entrepreneurs and connecting to state economic development resources.
• University of Michigan Tech Transfer (Innovation Partnerships): University of Michigan's central office for technology commercialization, licensing, and startup creation. Comparable to CMURC in commercializing university research and supporting startups in Michigan, though operating at much larger research-output scale.
• TechPlace (Lakeshore Advantage): Michigan-based entrepreneurial services organization offering coworking, business consulting, and maker-space resources. Comparable to CMURC as a regional Michigan nonprofit hub providing coworking, accelerator, and economic development programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CMUResearchCorporation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-michigan-university-research-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/CMUResearchCorp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Central Michigan University Research Corporation