Venture North Funding & Development

08/20/2026

Plenty of space available for this FREE workshop designed specifically with small business owners in mind. Save your spot today!

In partnership with Venture North Funding & Development, we’re hosting Demystifying Marketing on September 16, a free, hands-on workshop designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs create a simple, affordable marketing plan that works for their business.

Learn practical ways to connect with customers, stay visible, and make marketing feel more manageable.

📅 September 16 | 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
📍 WSCC - Downtown Education Center
400 River St., Manistee, MI
🎟️ FREE to attend, but RSVP is required!

👉 Reserve your spot today: https://business.manisteechamber.com/events/details/demystifying-marketing-workshop-2026-2755

08/04/2026

We're excited to share this story from 9&10 News highlighting Venture North's partnership with the Frey Foundation!

Thanks to the Foundation's generous support, we'll be expanding our no-cost business consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Emmet and Charlevoix counties, helping more people access the resources they need to start, strengthen, and grow their businesses.

A big thank you to 9&10 News and reporter Kyle Garrison for helping share the news and spotlight the importance of supporting small businesses across Northern Michigan.

Read the full story here: https://www.9and10news.com/2026/08/03/venture-north-to-increase-business-consulting-in-emmet-and-charlevoix-counties/

We look forward to serving even more entrepreneurs and strengthening our region's small business community together!

The Frey Foundation recently awarded a grant to Venture North Funding and Development to expand its business support services in Emmet and Charlevoix counties. This investment will provide regional entrepreneurs with increased access to affordable financing and expert consulting.

07/30/2026

More communities. More entrepreneurs. More opportunities to grow.

Thanks to a generous two-year, $110,000 grant from the Walters Family Foundation, Venture North is expanding no-cost business assistance into Cheboygan, Crawford, and Otsego counties while continuing to serve entrepreneurs in Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, and Wexford counties.

Every small business deserves access to guidance, affordable financing, and a partner who believes in their success, regardless of where they're located.

This investment means more northern Michigan entrepreneurs will have someone to call when they're ready to start, grow, or strengthen their business.

We're grateful to the Walters Family Foundation for helping make that possible.

Learn more:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62602b170e91866e463a8fdb/t/6a6b67395be1e2291e3b4364/1785423673871/Walters-Family-Foundation-Grant-2026-NR.pdf

07/30/2026

Wonderful news for everyone!

07/24/2026

When organizations come together with a shared purpose, communities grow stronger.

We're honored to receive support from the Frey Foundation, helping Venture North expand affordable lending and no-cost business assistance for entrepreneurs in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

This investment is about more than funding: it's about creating opportunities, strengthening local economies, and working alongside outstanding regional partners to help small businesses realize their dreams.

Together, we're investing in people, businesses and the future of northern Michigan.

Learn more:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62602b170e91866e463a8fdb/t/6a62dcbd2257813ffb03bc1d/1784863934271/Frey+Foundation+Grant+-+2026+-+news+release.pdf

07/22/2026

Great news for Emmet County small businesses!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Venture North will expand outreach efforts to connect more entrepreneurs with affordable financing and no-cost business support.

Sometimes the biggest challenge isn't finding help — it's knowing where to start. This funding will help us reach more business owners, share available resources, and ensure entrepreneurs throughout Emmet County know they're not alone.

If you're starting, growing, or strengthening your business, we'd love to connect.

Our website: www.venturenorthfunding.org
News Release:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62602b170e91866e463a8fdb/t/6a5fe2b305ef4d0a4304b94f/1784668852507/Petoskey-Harbor-Springs-Foundation-VN-Grant-2026.pdf

07/22/2026

Kudos to the wonderful Nikki Devitt! As folks who have benefited from knowing and partnering with her and others at the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, we're not surprised at this recognition, but thoroughly happy to see it!

07/21/2026

We're expanding — but our mission remains the same.

For nearly two decades, Venture North has helped entrepreneurs across northern Michigan start, grow and strengthen their businesses. Now, we're excited to bring that same mission to Crawford, Cheboygan and Otsego counties.

Our newest Northern Lights story shares why this expansion is about much more than geography. It's about building relationships, working alongside trusted local partners and ensuring even more small business owners have access to the financing, guidance and resources they need to succeed.

We can't wait to be part of these communities!

Read the story on our website today:

Expanding the Mission with Partners: Venture North Small Business Lending and Technical Assistance Expands Region from 10 to 13 Counties

07/16/2026

Understanding your finances can be just as important as accessing financing.

We're grateful to Rotary Charities of Traverse City for a $15,000 Seed Grant that will help Venture North expand financial literacy resources for small businesses across northern Michigan.

Together, we're helping entrepreneurs build the knowledge and confidence they need to grow.

Thank you, Rotary Charities!

For full news release, visit:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62602b170e91866e463a8fdb/t/6a578d8fc55c143a0545136e/1784122767534/RCTC-Seed-Grant-NR-2026.pdf