Lansing Regional SmartZone

The Lansing Regional SmartZone (LRSZ) is a cooperative effort with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses in the Lansing Region. The LRSZ is a partnership between the City of East Lansing, City of Lansing, Ingham County, East Lansing Public Schools, Lansing School District, Lansing Community College, Michigan State University Foundation, and Michigan State University.

The SmartZone provides the support services needed to build high-tech companies and empower entrepreneurs to build successful technology business. The LRSZ is a dynamic organization of leaders from all backgrounds and business sectors, and has locations in MSU University Corporate Research Park, downtown East Lansing and downtown Lansing.

The SmartZone focuses on attracting, creating and expanding businesses in the fields of life sciences, advanced manufacturing and information technology. Special attention is given to help firms capitalize on research and technical resources at Michigan State University.

The LRSZ offers:

• Incubation, office, dry and wet lab space
• Network of business, professional and technical services
• Access to university resources, including technical research equipment and laboratories
• Linkages to sources of knowledge and expertise via the university and private industry resources
• Business development services and resources that are technical, managerial, financial, legal or intellectual in nature, specific to the emerging businesses’ needs
• Commercialization assistance
• Coaching and mentoring
• Preparation for access and presentations to investors

Lansing Regional SmartZone Program Offerings

To take full advantage of the programs offered through the Lansing Regional SmartZone complete the below steps:

1. Please review and sign the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corp) Checklist which goes over all of the statewide programs offered through the Lansing Regional SmartZone – form is linked here.
2. After completing the form feel free to schedule a call with Harrison Leffel-Jones, the Development Director for the Lansing Regional SmartZone for next steps and to review stateide and local programs.  – link to schedule a call.
3. In the meantime be sure to check out our currently funded programs and partner opportunities in our region to help grow your business. – opportunties linked here.
4. Check out our fantastci lineup of events brought to you our partners at the Michigan State University Research Foundation and StartupGrind Lansing.
5. Last but certainly not least – make sure you sign up for our monthly LEAPlit Entreprenuer Newsletter. – link to sign up here.

SmartZone Mentor Program

• Do you have experience working in tech or for tech businesses? Are you seeking a way to engage with your community? The Lansing Regional SmartZone is seeking to widen our pool of mentors to engage both with Startups and Established companies to fuel innovation in our region. If interested fill out the survey below:
  • Mentor Interest Form

Request for Funds from the Lansing Regional SmartZone

• If you are an entrepreneurial support organization and are seeking funds for your program for the fiscal year starting July 1st, 2023 – June 30th, 2024, please apply via the link below.
  • Application for Funding

• Programs must do the following:
  • Support high-tech/high-growth companies in the Greater Lansing Region
  • Meet a clear need in the community for entreprenuers, startups, or other corporate entities

• Application Timeline is Below:
  • Application period opens January 11th, 2023
  • Applications for Funding are due by March 1st, 2023
  • Programs are Reviewed by Program Committee and put forth to the board at April 26th, 2023 Board Meeting
  • Final Funding Decisions and Budget Approval at June 28th, 2023 Board Meeting

2023 Meetings

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

• Board Meeting Notice
• Board Meeting Agenda
• Informational Meeting Notice
• Informational Meeting Agenda
• Informational Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

• Board Meeting Notice
• Board Meeting Agenda
• Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 10, 2023

• Program Committee Meeting Notice

Meetings are hosted in the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center Conference Room located at: 325 E. Grand River Avenue, Ste. 300 East Lansing, MI  48825. Please direct any questions regarding participation in these meetings to Harrison Leffel-Jones at 517-643-1564.

Start a conversation with

Harrison Leffel-Jones

Lansing Regional SmartZone Development Director

Joe Carr

Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

2022-2023 LDFA Board

• Benjamin Bakken, Chair, Lansing Community College
• Jessy Gregg, Vice Chair, City of East Lansing
• Charles Hasemann, Treasurer, MSU, City of East Lansing
• Brian McGrain, Secretary, City of Lansing
• Matt Apostle, City of East Lansing
• Luke Hackney, City of East Lansing
• Kris Klein, LEDC, City of Lansing
• David Washburn, MSU Research Foundation, City of Lansing 
• Jon Laing, Lansing School District
• Nicole Millsap, Lansing Public Schools
• Dori Leyko, East Lansing Public Schools
• Glenn Mitcham, East Lansing Public Schools
• Irene Cahill, Ingham County

2022-2023 Program Committee 

• Jessy Gregg, Vice Chair, City of East Lansing
• Charles Hasemann, Treasurer, MSU, City of East Lansing
• Kris Klein, LEDC, City of Lansing
• David Washburn, MSU Research Foundation, City of Lansing

Documents

• Board Meeting Schedule 
  • 2022-2023 LDFA Meeting Schedule
• TIF Renewal:
  • LDFA TIF Development Plan
  • Complete 2022 TIF Renewal Packet 
• Operational Documents
  • LDFA Bylaws
  • LDFA Spending Policy 
• Financials:
  • LRSZ 2020 Audit
  • FY 2022/23 Approved Budget and Spending Plan
• Contracts:
  • FY 2022-2023 LEAP Services Contract
  • FY 2022-2023 LEAP Staff Contract
  • FY 2022-2023 SmartZone Active Programs

Related Links

• Business Accelerator Fund (BAF)