MSU Extension Product Center

Since 2003, the Michigan State University Product Center, part of MSU Extension, has assisted in business expansions resulting in total investments of over $446 million and creation of 3,729 jobs.

In 2024, the MSU Product Center:

• Aided 655 clients through 3,386 counseling sessions. 
  • These clients were entrepreneurs who participated in one or more counseling session.
• Led to the creation of 120 jobs. 
• Helped retain 64 jobs with existing businesses that would otherwise have been lost.
• Had clients launch 54 new food and beverage products. 
• Secured more than $2 million in total capital formation, leveraging: 
  • $200K in owner investments
  • $1.59M in other capital investments/grants
  • $220K in loans

Food Processing and Innovation Center

In 2024, the MSU Product Center's Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) helped 31 clients build $80M in total sales growth over 1,000+ hours of production.

Core Services

Venture Development

The MSU Product Center provides vital venture development services for new and emerging businesses. Innovation counselors across the state deliver one-on-one counseling to clients and assist with developing concepts and business plans, navigating the regulatory process and accessing the supply chain.

Thanks to the MSU Product Center's close relationship with MSU campus staff and faculty, clients can access specialized services such as product classification and process authority review, nutritional labeling, food science, food processing and safety expertise, and packaging assistance. 

Food Processing and Innovation Center

The Food Processing and Innovation Center is the nation's leading independent commercial food development, processing, packaging, and research facility. The Center's real-time production environment supports the creation of vibrant new food products. Businesses big and small rent the state-of-the-art facility, which features the latest in processing and packaging technology to help reduce their risk and discover ways to take their operations to the next level. Products made in the Center comply with Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations.

Accelerated Growth Services

Accelerated growth services work with established businesses that want to improve their market performance. The MSU Product Center helps clients meet the high-level food safety and certification required by retailers. These strategic planning services also assist companies in charting a course for business expansion.

Strategic Research Services

Strategic research services are geared toward a broad and diverse client base. Market analysis, feasibility studies and economic impact reports provide clients with the data they need to make key decisions.

Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show

The Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show is an annual event designed to assist food business entrepreneurs. The conference provides educational sessions with a focus on starting and expanding food businesses. The trade show offers a venue for entrepreneurs to showcase their products to retail buyers and the general public.

2025 Making It In Michigan Award Winners

Entrepreneur of the Year 

drench, Karen Akouri, drenchitclean.com

Start-Up to Watch

Charlevoix Cheese Company, Matt Thompson, charlevoixcheese.com

Value-Added Agriculture

Doodle's Sugarbush, Lynette Henson, doodlessugarbush.com

Barrier Buster

Furniture city Creamery, Rachel Franko, furniturecitycreamery.com

Young Innovator

Great Lakes Tinned Fish, Marissa Fellows, greatlakestinnedfish.com