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FAQ
If you still have a question please feel free to contact the lab.
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What is Lean Rocket Lab?LRL is an innovation hub in the heart of downtown Jackson. Technically speaking LRL is a co working space. With flexible desk and office options for members. Inside you’ll also find Fortress Cafe, a locally owned and operated coffee shop open to the public and serving locally roasted coffee and grab and go food from various downtown restaurants. The lab has multiple meeting rooms, conference rooms and event space bookable by both members and the public. On any given day you might walk in to find a pop up bakery or retail shop, or a Michigan Tribe Networking Event. (Michigan tribe is a female entrepreneur meetup. The lab is also a community of amazing people; creators, innovators, leaders, professionals, non profit directors, tech startups, solopreneurs, work from home moms and dads and many more. People collaborating, creating and supporting each other. We have various professional service providers on site as well; including patent attorneys, social media experts, photographers and videographers. And then there’s the stuff you can’t see. Lean Rocket Lab is an MEDC SmartZone Business Incubator designated to support tech focused entrepreneurs in Jackson County. We run multiple programs including a ManuTech incubator and the Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator. These programs consist of educational resources, access to a variety of professional service providers, experts engineers, prototypers and manufacturers. We also have a network of early stage investors and manage a seed fund where we can make investments in startups as well. Our primary goal with these programs is to catalyze entrepreneurship in our community, attract best in class technology to Michigan and specifically help strengthen our manufacturers. Lastly - we run Local - a program specifically designed to help neighborhood based small business owners. The program consists of a 6 week boot camp, intensive mentorship and support, access to milestone based grant funding; and even access to small business lending. Simply put, we’re a physical space, a community, and a deep set of resources all designed to help people grow their businesses and be a blessing to our community.
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What is the ManuTech Incubator?Our Manu-Tech Virtual Incubator is a robust, resource packed platform designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of Ideation, Validation, Start Up, Commercialization and Growth. Manu-Tech is unique in that it combines the resources, network and expertise of two manufacturing incubators, the Lean Rocket Lab and Centrepolis Accelerator. Accepted teams get access to the full breadth and depth of Lean Rocket Lab's and Centrepolis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem, resources, and partners, at a very low cost. Coaching Software suite Mentorship Prototyping Professional services Office space Manufacturing partners Investor Network
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What is the Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator?Spearheaded by Michigan's Industry 4.0 Knowledge Center, Automation Alley - the Industry 4.0 Accelerator is the first of its kind in the United States. Powered by Centrepolis at Lawrence Tech University and Lean Rocket Lab in Jackson Backed by a $1.3M strategic Industry 4.0 investment fund In partnership with Michigan's top OEM's and downstream suppliers We've received applications from teams across the globe. Because we've always supported teams both virtually and in person, our program continues to run largely uninterrupted during this time. While our investment fund focuses on Michigan intent, there is no required 'on location' or classroom style requirements in the program.
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What is Lean Rocket Local?Lean Rocket LOCAL will take the current success of Lean Rocket Lab and expand its mission to support its efforts to launch and scale neighborhood and placed based businesses and organizations. Fellows Program: 10 teams are selected to participate in our fellows program. This intensive year-long cohort provides in depth access to mentors and milestone-based financial incentives. Business Basics: Basics is a series of workshops and courses designed to help people learn and grow in what it takes to run a business. From finance to business planning.
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What is included in a Lean Rocket Lab Coworking membership?Lab members benefit from an inviting and modern space space, the latest hybrid work/meeting technology, valuable events, and an uplifting community of people. Surround yourself with creators, influencers, leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs.All membership levels include the following perks and services: 24/7 Key Fob Access Free Mail Service (feel free to use our address for your business) Access to commercial Printer/Copier/Scanner Promotion / exposure through various channels (business card wall, monitors, social, etc.) Free High Speed Wireless Internet Bike Storage Free Coffee/ Tea/ Filtered Water Community kitchen access Unlimited meeting room / conference room bookings ZenBooth Access (sound canceling phone booth) Wheelchair Accessible Café/ Restaurant with 15% discount Member lunches and periodic events All meeting rooms have Roku 65” LED Tv’s, Meeting Owl, smart conference phones and Apple TV 24/7 Video Surveillance
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What are the different workspace solutions LRL offers?Day Pass Hot Desk Membership Dedicated Desk Membership Shared Office Space Private Office (for Professional Service Network members) *All hot desk and dedicated desk memberships are flexible and month to month, no contracts necessary.
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How do I get started?Lean Rocket Lab is a 501c3 non profit economic development organization. So while some of our programs do require an application process, almost everything we do is at no cost to the entrepreneur. This is made possible by the generous support of many great Jackson companies, various foundations and the MEDC, EDA, and DOD. So getting started is simple, walk in our front door and schedule a free consultation to learn about what resources are available, or contact us through FB, our website or via phone. There’s a simple intake form we’ll ask you to complete - and after that we’re just here to help.
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