InvestUP Announces Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, a $3 Million Pre-Seed Fund to Invest in Outdoor Recreation Startup Companies
Marquette, Mich., April 2, 2024 – InvestUP and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced the creation of the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund, a $3 million pre-seed fund to support entrepreneurs across Michigan in the outdoor recreation industry. The Fund will make investments ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 in promising Michigan-based startups that are […]
Upper Peninsula Leaders Commend $50 Million State Investment in Copperwood Mine Project
Project will create economic growth to benefit generations to come, provide wages double the current median wage MARQUETTE, Mich. — Community leaders, local business owners and residents from Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula held a virtual press conference today to commend the Michigan Strategic Fund for investing $50 million to support site readiness at the Copperwood […]
Episode 15: John Jamar, CEO CCI Systems

https://vimeo.com/884519265?share=copy During this episode of the Lead to Succeed podcast, John Jamar, President & CEO of CCI Systems, Inc. discusses how to attract and retain top talent in a challenging market with host Steve Arwood. This podcast is available on all streaming platforms, including: Spotify Apple Podcasts
Opinion: How the Upper Peninsula is helping drive digital future
By Dennis Livesay , Glenn Stevens A decade ago, many of us in tech prophesied that every company would become a computing company. Dennis Livesay is Dave House Dean of Computing, Michigan Technological University in Houghton. Glenn Stevens is executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber. Now, that […]
Episode 14: Dr. Brock Tessman, President, Northern Michigan University

https://vimeo.com/869283731/e2876df736?share=copy On this episode of Lead to Succeed, Dr. Brock Tessman, President of Northern Michigan University joins Steve to discuss the role of UP universities and the importance of attracting and retaining young talent by growing early and mid-career job opportunities. This podcast is available on all streaming platforms, including: Spotify Apple Podcasts
Episode 13: Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham, CEO Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

https://vimeo.com/862512438?share=copy Lead to Succeed: Conversations with U.P. Business Leaders is an interview series focused on leadership in the Upper Peninsula. Bridgitte LaPointe-Dunham, CEO of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, joins host Steve Arwood for a conversation about the importance of tribal communities and making and maintaining connections in the rural UP. This podcast is available on […]
2023 InvestUP CEO Summit
InvestUP held its second UP CEO Summit in Marquette on May 11, 2023. Executives and leaders from 100+ businesses came together with stakeholders to build new working relationships and participate in a day of action-driven discussions. Together, the attendees represented thirteen of the UP’s fifteen counties. Featured speaker Neel Kashkari, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve […]
2022 Year in Review
U.P. Businesses and People Continue to thrive! More than $ 0 Million invested into the regionto grow and retain theworkforce. More than $ 0 Billion committed to infrastructure improvements. More than $ 0 Million committed to development and expansion projects. 0 Projects funded as part ofdevelopment andexpansion across the U.P. Nearly 0 Million visitors to […]
InvestUP applauds collaboration leading to historic investments in Upper Peninsula

Policymakers, stakeholders, and InvestUP work together to secure largest regional investment ever with unprecedented State incentive of $200M ESCANABA, Mich. (January 31, 2023) After months of negotiations and collaboration with state and local stakeholders and policymakers, InvestUP, its partners and the region as a whole are celebrating global supplier Billerud’s unprecedented investment in the Upper […]
InvestUP announces U.P. native Vince Nystrom as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Fund Development
MARQUETTE, MI (December 19, 2022 ) – InvestUP is pleased to announce that U.P. native Vince Nystrom has joined its team as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Fund Development. He will support business development across the Upper Peninsula with a focus on business retention, expansion, and attraction, and the development of strategic initiatives to […]