Lansing Region’s Top Talent and Aspiring Ventures to Celebrate 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week April 6-10
Dozens of events to be held across Michigan State University and surrounding areas
Lansing, Mich. (April 1, 2026) — 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week (517 E&I Week) will take place April 6–10, 2026, bringing together founders, students, investors, creatives, community members for a five-day, multi-venue celebration of innovation across Lansing and East Lansing.
Coordinated by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) in partnership with the Lansing Regional SmartZone, this year’s edition will feature 28 events, including workshops, panels, pitch opportunities, networking experiences, and community activations designed to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
517 E&I Week continues to build on its mission to position Lansing as a growing hub for entrepreneurship and creative technology, with expanded programming and increased collaboration among regional and international partners.
“This year’s 517 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week offers some great examples of how Michigan State’s educational mission and innovation enterprise align with our region’s needs,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “As we equip graduates with skills for the careers of today and tomorrow, we’re also creating opportunities with our mid-Michigan partners that not only drive economic growth, but help build a more vibrant, resilient region where people want to live, work, study and invest.”
“517 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week brings together the Lansing region for access to real entrepreneurial resources and world class talent,” said LEAP President and CEO, Bob Trezise. “The talent we see emerging from this region isn’t just filling jobs; they’re creating them. LEAP has always believed that when you invest in people and give them the tools, the mentorship, and the community to succeed, remarkable things happen.”
This year’s programming highlights include sessions focused on financial sustainability, founder wellness, creative technology, and startup growth, alongside opportunities for direct engagement with local and regional resources.
On Tuesday, MSU Research Foundation’s PitchMI Championship will see four regional winning teams going head-to-head for a $1 million investment and the title of PitchMI State Champion.
Friday will see Techsmith’s Future of Work (Workshop): Level Up Your Communication with AI-Powered Visuals where participants will get a hands-on introduction to AI-driven visual tools that are transforming the way teams connect, sell, and share ideas.
Events will take place across multiple venues, including Michigan State University, downtown Lansing, and East Lansing, with programming designed to be accessible to a wide range of participants.
At the center of the week is the Innovation Hub, sponsored by Foster Swift and located at the Graduate Hotel in East Lansing. The Hub will host daily activations, informal networking, and opportunities for attendees to gather between events, creating a consistent space for connection throughout the week.
517 E&I Week is made possible through the support of partners including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Lake Trust Credit Union, and Foster Swift as the Hub Sponsor, alongside a network of community organizations. Additional partners include the Michigan State University Research Foundation, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and many others contributing to the week’s programming and impact.
The full schedule of events is live, and community members are encouraged to register early. Visit 517ei.com to explore the full schedule and secure your spot at events throughout the week.
“The Lansing Economic Development Corporation is proud to support 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week as a platform to elevate local entrepreneurs and connect them with the tools, capital, and networks they need to grow,” said Kris Klein, President & CEO of Lansing EDC. “Through our work with the LEED Initiative and programs like Empower and the Lansing SEED Academy, we’re committed to building a more inclusive and resilient local economy. E&I Week plays a critical role in showcasing the energy and potential of Lansing’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while strengthening collaboration across partners.”
“Choose Lansing is proud to support the activities of 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week taking place across our region, showcasing the creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking spirit that fuel economic growth and community vitality,” said Melissa Nay, Director of Membership & Community Engagement at Choose Lansing. “We’re equally proud to champion the visitors who bring new energy and dollars into our community, including through initiatives like our Certified Tourism Ambassador program, which helps equip community members to represent the Greater Lansing region.”
“This event is about connecting local impact with global innovation through real stories and shared experiences,” said Gulnara Ismailova, Resource Hub Director and HHP Fellow (2024–2025). “By bringing international fellows and local leaders together, we create opportunities for collaboration that go beyond borders. 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week shows how cities like Lansing can become hubs for inclusive and forward-thinking entrepreneurship.”
“E&I Week brings people in Lansing together who are building things and figuring it out as they go,” said Jeff McWherter. “My talk, ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough, I’m starting my own company,’ is about that moment when you decide to go for it. Sometimes people just need a push, or to see how someone else did it, before they find the courage to take that step.”
“I’m excited to lead When the Hustle Isn’t Adding Up because so many entrepreneurs are working hard but still not seeing the financial stability they need,” said Dr. Darla Bishop. “I’ve been there myself and had to reset and learn how to prioritize profit in my own business. The goal of this session is to give founders practical tools to do that earlier and with more clarity. E&I Week matters because it connects people to the resources and relationships that make building a successful business in Lansing feel possible.”
“The ‘Press Start’ gameplay event is a chance for attendees to get an early look at the innovative video game work being created in the capstone course at MSU,” said Brian Winn. “Students are paired with industry partners like Bungie, Rockstar, Santa Monica Studio, and Iron Galaxy, and attendees will also be able to play games from Lansing-area independent studios. It’s valuable for both the creators and the community.”
About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all — working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
About the Lansing Regional SmartZone
The Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) drives growth in the Greater Lansing region’s high-tech sector by funding local partners to deliver exceptional entrepreneurial support services. The LRSZ is a partnership between City of East Lansing, City of Lansing, East Lansing Public Schools, Ingham County, Lansing Community College, Lansing School District, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan State University Innovation Center, and Michigan State University Research Foundation. A dynamic organization of leaders from all backgrounds and business sectors, the LRSZ has locations in downtown East Lansing at the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) and in Lansing at the MSU Health Park. LRSZ is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Category: Press Releases, Talent and Workforce, SmartZone