GrowMI
GrowMI is a mobile platform that connects professionals to Michigan’s entrepreneurial resources, aiming to boost innovation, support business growth, and improve talent retention across the state.
Role
Researcher, Visual Designer
Tools Used
Figma, Figjam, Canva
Duration
3 Weeks
Problem
Michigan faces significant challenges in attracting and retaining entrepreneurial talent. Many skilled graduates leave the state due to limited startup resources, lack of professional networks, and insufficient access to funding. Without a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, Michigan struggles to compete with other states that offer more robust opportunities.
Solution
GrowMI connects entrepreneurs to key resources—including funding opportunities, mentorship programs, networking events, and skill-building tools—through a user-friendly interface with personalized recommendations that simplify the process of finding and accessing support. By making entrepreneurial resources more visible and accessible, GrowMI empowers professionals to launch and grow their ventures—ultimately strengthening Michigan’s startup ecosystem and helping retain talent in the state.
Funding Opportunities
Provides information on state and federal grants, venture capital, and other financial support.
Skill-Building Courses
Offers online learning modules and certifications tailored for entrepreneurs.
Professional Networking
Connects users with mentors, investors, and industry professionals.
Key Features
Local Resource Mapping
Identifies co-working spaces, incubators, and other essential business resources.
Event Calendar
Highlights entrepreneurship events, workshops, and networking sessions.
The Process
Concept Generation
Originated the idea of developing a mobile app as the most practical and impactful solution. Given our UX background, leveraging expertise made the team more competitive in the competition.
Visual Design
I designed the app’s name, logo, tagline and high-fidelity prototype, ensuring a clear presentation.
Survey & Data Interpretation
Generate the survey’s questions and analyzed survey responses to identify key pain points faced by entrepreneurs in Michigan.
Sustainability & Feasibility Considerations
Incorporated feedback regarding cost estimation, funding strategies, and long-term viability to ensure the app's impact would be measurable and lasting.
Justification of Solution
Addressed concerns about alternative solutions by demonstrating why a mobile app was the most feasible and scalable option compared to large-scale policy changes or physical infrastructure projects. as the most practical and impactful solution.
Project Impact
Our solution presented a realistic, scalable, and cost-effective approach to strengthening Michigan’s entrepreneurial network. Judges praised the feasibility of a mobile app compared to infrastructure-heavy alternatives, highlighting its ability to be quickly implemented and widely adopted.
Takeaways
Strategic Framing Matters
Pitching a solution that aligns with our team’s UX expertise strengthened our competitive edge.
User-Centered Thinking is Key
Identifying real user pain points through surveys and interviews ensured our solution addressed actual needs.
Visuals Enhance Communication
A hi-fi prototype made our concept more compelling and tangible for judges.
Sustainability Planning is Crucial
Addressing cost concerns and proposing funding models made our solution more credible.
Justification is Key
Clearly linking our solution to the core problem helped refine our final presentation and improve stakeholder buy-in.