MICHIGAN
Implemented by Law or Executive Action
In 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Michigan’s first ever entrepreneurship officer, naming Ben Marchionna the Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer of Michigan. This role was inspired by Right to Start recommendations. This groundbreaking position serves as the first point of contact for all Michigander entrepreneurs and focuses on establishing Michigan as a supportive network for innovators and entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have a dedicated advocate within the state government. These efforts fostered collaboration and propelled Michigan forward as a hub for entrepreneurial growth. Right to Start worked to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship policy and a dedicated liaison with the Governor's Senior Staff and through engagement with the Michigan Microbusiness Coalition.
Introduced
In 2024, Representative Alabas Farhat sponsored House Bill 5463, which would create an Office of Microenterprise Development and define “microenterprise business” in state code.
New businesses create almost all net new jobs in the United States. Entrepreneurs create stronger communities, grow GDP, create homegrown jobs, increase community wealth, diversify goods and services, increase lifetime incomes, and fight inequality and poverty.
65% of Americans believe it's harder to start a business today compared to their parent’s generation. 94% of Americans believe “it’s important to America’s future” that citizens have a fair opportunity to start and grow their own businesses. 81% of entrepreneurs say that the government favors big businesses over them, and 69% say the government doesn’t care about them at all.
Streamlining processes and removing barriers and unnecessary burdens for new, young companies to start and grow is critical to expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for all.
Many states are realizing the importance of new, young businesses to their economic growth and are working to change and update policies.
Your State Needs Entrepreneurs.
Interested?
Right to Start shares best practices to help policymakers support entrepreneurs. We are a leading, national nonpartisan civic organization working to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all throughout the United States by changing minds, changing policies and changing communities. Our policy recommendations are pro-growth measures, which will remove barriers and streamline processes to starting, cut red tape, advance homegrown job creation, and build a stronger connection between entrepreneurs and government.
Disclaimer - For Informational Purposes