$75,000 Awarded to Northwest Michigan Small Businesses through 20Fathoms and Venture North Partnership

20Fathoms and Venture North are pleased to announce the recipients of $75,000 in small business grants. Each of the following Northwest Michigan businesses received approximately $4,500.  

The recipients were selected based on their company’s strategic need for funds, as well as the expected impact on the local economy. Applications were reviewed by a committee of small business support professionals representing Grove Community Incubator, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and 20Fathoms.  

Grants were distributed to businesses throughout Northwest Michigan, with a particular focus on supporting those founded by individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurship. More than 70% of recipients are women-owned businesses and two of the recipients are Indigenous-owned businesses. Indigenous entrepreneurs who participated in the April 2025 Indigenous Business & Marketing Essentials bootcamp also received grant funding through this program.

Lauren Carlson, Owner of The Piping Plover in Manistee, is one of the entrepreneurs who received a grant.

The Piping Plover is a women’s clothing boutique in downtown Manistee that features local and sustainable clothing brands. Lauren designed the store with thoughtful touches and an artist’s eye for creativity, incorporating artwork from local artists and creating a welcoming community place.

“It was really important to me as a community member to do what I can to support our local businesses and make our downtown vibrant, inviting, and include everybody,” said Lauren.

Operating a clothing boutique in a community heavily influenced by the seasonality of tourism is challenging, but Lauren embraces the role that visitors have in Manistee and is seeking to deepen her connection with her tourist customers. The small business grant from 20Fathoms and Venture North will help her take this next step and strengthen year-round sales.

“The grant will allow us to standardize the product photography across our website in order to build that connection with our visiting customers,” she said. “It will fund photo equipment and a photo space including a backdrop, mannequins, display fixtures, lighting, and a computer for photo editing.”

Read more about The Piping Plover.

The application period for the next round of grants is May 16-25. Designed for innovative startups and small businesses headquartered in Northwest Michigan, these grants are highly competitive. The grant provides direct financial support averaging $4500 for specific purchases of assets that will have a meaningful impact on business growth. This includes essential items, software, or products that contribute to immediate business expansion, operational scaling, or technology upgrades. (Excludes building renovations/repairs or general expenses such as marketing.)

This opportunity is open to all businesses, but those directly contributing to the region’s economic growth and innovation are particularly invited to apply. This includes retail and specialty stores, food and beverage businesses, service-based businesses, eco-friendly and sustainable businesses, production and manufacturing, artists and makers, and technology-based startups.

Click here to apply now.

This funding is made possible through a regional collaboration between 20Fathoms, Michigan SBDC, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, Traverse Connect, and Venture North to bring support and resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners in the region. The initiative is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.