2026 EVENTS CALENDAR
Find your next great idea. Meet your next best friend. Start your next adventure.
Monday April 6
That's it, I've Had Enough, i'm Starting my Own Company
WHEN
Monday April 6
12:00PM - 1:00PM
WHERE
Technology and Innovation Center, 325 E Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI
DESCRIPTION
Ensure you are going out on your own for the right reasons, not just on impulse. Once you have decided that working for yourself is what you want to do, there are hundreds more decisions to be made.
Organizer
Gravity Works Design
E&I Launch Party
WHEN
Monday April 6
7:00PM - 9:00PM
WHERE
E&I Hub, The Graduate, 133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
The Launch Party opens 517 Entrepreneurship & Innovation Week with an evening designed to bring together entrepreneurs, creators, students, business leaders, and community partners from across the region.
Organizer
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
Pitch Lab: Mastering Your Business Pitch
WHEN
Monday April 6
5:00PM - 7:00PM
WHERE
E&I Hub, The Graduate, 133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
Great ideas do not win funding. Great pitches do.
A hands-on experience during designed to help founders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring business owners sharpen their pitching skills and confidently communicate the value of their ideas.
Organizer
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
Tuesday April 7
PitchMI Championship
WHEN
Tuesday April 7
12:00PM - 3:30PM
WHERE
Grewal Hall at 224
224 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933
DESCRIPTION
One Stage. One Champion. $1 Million Prize.
Four regional winning teams are advancing to the statewide championship, where they’ll go head-to-head for an additional $1 million investment and the title of PitchMI State Champion.
ORGANIZER
MSU Research Foundation
MSU Innovation Celebration
WHEN
Tuesday April 7
4:00PM - 6:30PM
WHERE
Henry Center for Executive Development
3535 Forest Rd, Lansing, MI 48910
DESCRIPTION
This annual event recognizes the vision and impact of MSU faculty, students, researchers, and inventors whose work is shaping solutions to real-world challenges and contributing to Michigan’s economic growth.
ORGANIZER
MSU Innovation Center
When the Hustle Isn’t Adding Up: A Cash-Flow First Approach to Building a Business That Lasts
WHEN
Tuesday April 7
6:30PM - 8:00PM
WHERE
MSUFCU: 311 Abbott, East Lansing, MI
DESCRIPTION
When the hustle isn’t adding up, it is often not about working harder, it is about understanding your numbers. This hands-on workshop is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, and side-hustlers who are putting in the work but are still not seeing the financial results they want.
ORGANIZER
Dr. Darla Bishop
Wednesday April 8
Capital Area Tech Hub Coffee Mixer
WHEN
Wednesday April 8
8:00AM - 9:30AM
WHERE
Case Credit Union
2400 West Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
Join us for a Coffee Mixer focused on building meaningful connections across the local tech and entrepreneurship community.
ORGANIZER
Capital Area Tech Hub (CATECH)
Grow Series by Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
WHEN
Wednesday April 8
10:00AM - 11:30AM
WHERE
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
500 E Michigan Ave UNIT 200, Lansing, MI
DESCRIPTION
An engaging panel discussion on the realities of running a business in Lansing—including marketing, policy changes, and practical advice for success.
ORGANIZER
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
Innovate State: From Supply Chain to Global Change
WHEN
Wednesday April 8
6:00PM - 7:00PM
WHERE
MSU Union Ballroom
49 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824
DESCRIPTION
The Innovate State Speaker Series brings emerging and accomplished Spartan entrepreneurs to campus for a live, unscripted fireside chat.
ORGANIZER
Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Healthy Founders = Healthy Exits
WHEN
Wednesday April 8
12:00PM - 2:00PM
WHERE
E&I Hub, The Graduate
133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
This session offers founders a candid look into what investors look for when evaluating a company’s potential and long-term viability.
ORGANIZER
Washington Avenue Advisors & Ventures
Start Up Grind
WHEN
Wednesday April 8
4:00PM - 6:00PM
WHERE
The Rock Bar, The Graduate
133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
An evening of networking, connection, and conversation with Lansing’s founders, investors, and business leaders.
ORGANIZER
Washington Avenue Advisors & Ventures
Thursday April 9
Influencer Lab: Content as Innovation
WHEN
Thursday April 9
7:00PM - 8:30PM
WHERE
The Graduate
133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
Explore how creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals are using content creation to build influence, shape culture, and create opportunities.
ORGANIZER
Cocktails & Coworking
Business Made Simple
WHEN
Thursday April 9
5:30PM - 6:30PM
WHERE
E&I Hub, The Graduate
133 Evergreen Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
This LEAP workshop series is designed to provide entrepreneurs with knowledge of tech tools to grow their business or increase efficiency.
ORGANIZER
Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP)
Burgess New Venture Challenge
WHEN
Thursday April 9
4:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE
Marriott East Lansing at University Place 300 M. A. C. Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
Burgess New Venture Challenge is the premier pitch competition for student entrepreneurs at Michigan State University.
ORGANIZER
Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Friday April 10
Grand River Connection: E&I Week Edition
WHEN
Friday April 10
5:01PM - 7:00PM
WHERE
MP Social
313 N Cedar St, Lansing, MI 48912
DESCRIPTION
Grand River Connection is our monthly networking series geared toward young professionals.
ORGANIZER
Lansing 5:01
Future of Work Workshop: Level Up Your Communication with AI-Powered Visuals
WHEN
Friday April 10
9:00AM - 12:00PM
WHERE
TechSmith
14 Crescent Road, East Lansing MI 48823
DESCRIPTION
A practical, insightful, hands-on workshop exploring how AI-driven visual tools are transforming the way teams connect, sell, and share ideas.
ORGANIZER
Tech Smith
Capital Connection: 517 E&I Week Last Call
WHEN
Friday April 10
7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHERE
Urban Beats
1213 Turner Rd, Lansing, MI 48906
DESCRIPTION
An elevated closeout experience for E&I Week featuring curated cocktails, live DJ sets, and visuals celebrating Lansing’s innovators.
ORGANIZER
OS x LEAP x Lansing 5:01
Empower Your Business Growth
WHEN
Friday April 10
11:30AM - 1:00PM
WHERE
Lansing EDC Office
401 S. Washington Sq., Suite 101, Lansing, MI 48933
DESCRIPTION
Explore how the Lansing EDC Empower Program helps entrepreneurs scale through practical systems, automation strategies, and operational clarity.
ORGANIZER
Lansing Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
FAQS
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517 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week is open to innovators, entrepreneurs, students, professionals, and community members from the Lansing Region and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, there's something for everyone!
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Most events are either free or budget-friendly, making it accessible for attendees from all walks of life. Check event details for specific pricing.
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Registration details for individual events will be available on our website closer to the event. Be sure to sign up early for the events that align with your interests and goals.
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Expect a mix of workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences. Events are designed to help you learn, grow, and connect with other innovators and entrepreneurs.
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Interested in sponsoring? Contact us to connect and explore sponsorship opportunities