Starting in Michigan newsletter

Yep, another newsletter from Bryce. Why??

Easy answer: this one is specific to the Michigan startup ecosystem. I've spent 15 years building businesses in Michigan and have realized along the way I care a lot about economic development.

I want Michigan to be the best place in the country to start and grow a business.

"On a 1-10 scale, 10 being highest, would you recommend starting a business in Michigan to a friend?" That's what I ask founders all the time and the answer is typically in the 5 or 6 range. In "net promoter score (NPS)" terms, that makes them "detractors". While NPS measures customer loyalty, I believe that translates to our startup ecosystem. Founders with that sentiment are unlikely to start again in Michigan and unlikely to encourage others to start in Michigan. (Note: if anyone wants to help me do a large scale, proper survey, please reach out!)

If you asked me a couple of years ago, I would be a detractor, too. I've seen so many of my friends churn out of entrepreneurship with the feeling they set their lives back years. I've seen the horror stories and the more common "zombie" stories.

However, I've recently embarked on a quest to speak to 500 Michigan founders, investors, entrepreneur support organizations, and policy makers. After 250 conversations, my road show has taken me all across the state to the various sub-regional ecosystems.

I've witnessed the frustrations and triumphs. The disillusioned and the enthused. I've met people who have given up on Michigan and others that are waking up everyday fighting for Michigan. Each individual is justified in their belief and represent the complex mosaic of building a business in Michigan.

At this halfway point, I am more encouraged about the state of our state than I was prior. While there are significant gaps, there are some bright spots that deserve to be amplified.

Which brings me to the purpose of this newsletter: I will be sharing my learnings/beliefs along the way here. I am currently in the trend discovery phase and will soon move to proposing/supporting initiatives that can help take Michigan to the next level.

This newsletter will be both critical and complimentary of Michigan's startup ecosystem. But most importantly, it will be talking about the realities of building in a startup in Michigan.

So if you're a Michigan based founder, investor, entrepreneur support organization, or policy maker, I ask this:

1. Please reach out so I can learn more about your perspective
2. Consider subscribing to this newsletter to increase visibility and discourse about our ecosystem

See you in the next one.

-- Bryce