News & Stories
Client Corner – with Steelhead Technologies
By Amanda Jackson I met up with Jeff Halonen, one of the six co-founders of Steelhead Technologies in Calumet, MI, who shared some entrepreneurial insight, what it took to get up and running, and the story behind their name. Can you share a little about yourself?Jeff:...
Two MTEC SmartZone Clients Selected for Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards
The Keweenaw Community SparkPlug Awards are an annual community celebration that recognizes local businesses, organizations, community projects, and individuals for their efforts during the past year. The awards are given in eight different categories and the...
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear Sews Its Way Into Industry 4.0: A Q&A With Co-founder Nathan Ackerman
by Dennis Burck, Automation Alley Operating out of the U.P. in Hancock, MI, Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear (CTUG) is a small hiking gear manufacturer employing a staff of nine. Its line of backpacks and accessories are designed to withstand harsh conditions while...
2023 Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition: Supporting Michigan Tech’s Enrepreneurs
Houghton, MI - January 31, 2023 It was a night of fierce and calculated competition as MTU students across disciplines pitched innovative business ideas and solutions to help shape the world. This Husky Innovate event is a tribute to the late Professor of...
How A Lake Linden laboratory is developing safer food packaging
By Brianna MacLean | Posted Jan 26, 2023LAKE LINDEN, Mich. (WJMN) – In 1993 in Lake Linden, Michigan Technological University Professor Dr. Bill Campbell and his wife Ellen founded the Nitrate Elimination Company, or what’s now known as NECi Superior Enzymes. Their...
Best Fit, Top Value: MTU Alums’ College Shopper Makes Choosing the Right College Easier
By Rick White | January 9, 2023 Since 2018, Michigan Tech alumni Ashley Kern and Erin Thompson have helped colleges around the country increase enrollment, sharpen budgets and improve student retention with predictive analytics company SightLine. Now they’re making...
MTEC SmartZone Client takes First Place at Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge
On Friday, November 11, twenty semifinalist startup teams from eleven universities across Michigan competed for $12,500 cash prizes. For the second year in a row, the Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge (MCSC) celebrated student entrepreneurship and innovation....
Michigan Tech and Eagle Mine Partner for EV Battery Recycling Innovation and Climate Sustainability
11/29/2022—On Nov. 16, the Biden Administration announced a $74 million funding package to advance domestic battery recycling and reuse that will strengthen the nation’s battery supply chain. Michigan Technological University and Eagle Mine are co-recipients of part...
Client Corner – with refill U.P.
By Amanda Jackson I met up with Briana Tucker and Travis Wakeham, the couple behind the Keweenaw’s first zero waste refillery, Refill U.P. While the refillery business idea is not high-tech like the typical MTEC SmartZone client, they did bring the can-do...