Innovate Marquette is the state of Michigan’s 15th SmartZone. We were formed to assist in the accelerated creation and growth of technology-based businesses and jobs in Marquette County. We are partnered as a satellite SmartZone with the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) SmartZone in Houghton-Hancock which has been in operation for over 12 years. Our mission is to assist in transforming Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula into a world-class entrepreneurial eco-system supporting technology-based innovations, new businesses, new job creation and existing business expansion. Our focus is to coordinate, inspire and lead our business, government, academic and community leaders to enhance the efforts to date of leveraging the unique set of resources, experience and advantages we have in Marquette County to create a supportive environment and robust entrepreneurial eco-system in which new tech-based business ideas can start, grow and succeed while existing ones can continue to innovate, thrive and expand.