Michigan Business Beat | Paula Macpherson, Velocity: Driving Startup Growth in Macomb County

Chris Holman welcomes Paula Macpherson, Executive Director, Velocity, Macomb County, MI. There were several things Chris wanted to find out from Paula in this conversation: 1.Velocity has been a driving force in supporting startups in Macomb County for over 11 years. Can you share some of the key challenges and opportunities you've seen in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem in this region? 2. You’ve had impressive success in helping businesses grow, such as helping start 31 new companies and attracting $19.2M in investments last year. What do you believe sets Velocity apart from other incubators and accelerators in Michigan? 3. You offer essential services like grant support and entrepreneur guidance. What is the most common type of support that startups seek when they first come to Velocity, and how do you tailor your approach to meet their needs? 4. As one of Michigan’s 21 MEDC SmartZones, how does Velocity contribute to the broader economic development goals of the state, and what role do you envision for Velocity in the future of Macomb County’s growth? 5. Can you share a success story from one of the businesses that has gone through Velocity's programs? What impact did Velocity's resources have on their growth, and how does that reflect the broader mission of Velocity in supporting local entrepreneurs? [Up to Speed] Here is a little bit about Paula Macpherson: https://www.mivelocity.com/paula Paula serves as the Executive Director of Velocity, Macomb County's dedicated SmartZone. Velocity's mission is to support the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing incubator and accelerator services, business coaching, networking opportunities, educational programs, access to grants, and funding. A lifelong Macomb County resident with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Paula brings a wealth of experience to her role. She spent a decade in the commercial construction industry before transitioning to mergers and acquisitions, where she worked for nine years. In addition to owning and operating several businesses, Paula has also served as a business growth consultant. At Velocity, Paula thrives on collaborating with an innovative team and strategic partners statewide. She is passionate about showcasing Macomb County's entrepreneurial advancements to the investment community and is committed to fostering the region's economic growth. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/