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OU INC

OU INC is a SmartZone Business Accelerator, in collaboration with the City of Rochester Hills, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and various industry partners. We serve as one of Oakland County's business startup resources, and provide a wide variety of services and capital for our clients.

OU INC focuses on companies specializing in alternative energy, advanced/additive manufacturing, advanced automotive, advanced technology innovations, IT & digital technologies, medical devices, and mobility technologies. We provide entrepreneurial and business startup resources, as well as strategic business solutions for developing business ventures. OU INC also excels in accelerating ideas to market and supporting technological innovation. We foster a healthy environment for early-stage, growth-based, and high-tech companies, and provide support for existing entities through our facility and business development resources. 

OU INC is an International Business Innovation Association (InBIA)-certified international soft landings site. The InBIA recognizes the need for entrepreneurship centers that have the capacity to serve foreign companies interested in expanding outside of their domestic markets. So in order to serve these foreign companies, they’ve developed a global network of Soft Landings centers, including OU INC. Companies that want to expand into international markets need unique programs and services, and this Soft Landings network identifies entrepreneurship incubator programs that excel in serving these companies while providing them with support and visibility. To date, OU INC has supported soft landings for companies from Italy, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Greece, Ireland, and the UK.

Michigan STEM Forward Program

Michigan STEM Forward is a statewide program of Michigan Economic Development Corporation that matches students attending Michigan colleges and universities with internship opportunities at the state’s leading innovative companies. Companies do not have to be in a specific industry, but all internships must be STEM-focused.

Michigan STEM Forward provides students meaningful career experience and promotes job retention in the state, while providing financial support to companies who hire these interns.

STEM Forward funds 50% of the intern’s compensation for a 10-12 week internship (up to $3,000 for a full time intern, up to $1,500 for a part time intern).  The minimum wage for the program is $15 per hour. Companies are welcome to set their own wage above that amount with the understanding that once the match has been exhausted the company is responsible for 100 percent of the cost. This year, MEDC's STEM Forward program has a goal of 500 internships.

Potential interns and companies can register for the program at STEM Forward.

OU Sports Technology Incubator

The Oakland University Sports Technology Incubator (STI) is an innovative program managed and coordinated by the Oakland University Athletic Department. The S.T.I. is led by Director of Athletics, Steve Waterfield and Director of Development, Jake Daugherty. With experience in NCAA Division I Collegiate Athletics as well as experience participating as a Collegiate Student-Athlete, the Director and Co-Director will be able to give companies resourceful insights on their innovations.

The Sports Technology Incubator will be home to innovative sports technology to enhance and develop athlete’s performance. With direct access to NCAA Division I athletes and programs, companies will have the ability to evaluate their innovations at a high level immediately.

For more information please contact:

Sports Technology Incubator Director

Steve Waterfield
Director of Athletics
[email protected]
(248) 370-3131

MEDC Logo  SBDC-Michigan

OU INC

Shotwell Pavilion
419 Golf View Lane
Rochester, MI 48309-4477
(location map)
(248) 648-4800
Fax: (248) 648-4799
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