MAPP
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Marketing and Patent Program? The program is primarily intended for entrepreneurs and small businesses that will be able to start or expand their businesses through partially subsidized marketing and patent services. Until now, businesses often traveled out of the U.P. to meet with experts in these fields. With this program, marketing and patent experts are available in a Houghton office for timely, high quality and cost-effective assistance. In the end, the goal of the program is to help companies with high growth potential increase local employment opportunities and stronger communities.
What are the requirements to receive subsidized services? Participants must meet SmartZone requirements and be working on a product or service within the Tri-Corridor definitions and show a high commitment to success and other factors. Subsidized services will not be granted to companies that are purely technology users, consulting companies or entrepreneurs without a robust business plan. Review the " Who Qualifies for MAPP Assistance? " section above as well as the applications under " How Do I Apply? ".
What costs are subsidized? The program finances limited services of expert patent lawyers from the Southfield firm of Brooks Kushman P.C. and Boomerang Marketing. Subsidized costs include the companies' periodic travel to Houghton, initiating patent filings, purchasing professional marketing research and developing a direct marketing program. Participants will be required to pay for all services that do not qualify for or exceed the available subsidy. The program will not pay for costs such as printing, advertising or any work that is not critical to the business' future growth.
What are the obligations of the business receiving a subsidy? The business must initially provide a plan that emphasizes growth objectives related to the assistance that it will receive. Following the assistance, it will be required to submit periodic reports to show the material effect that the assistance produced. A business that receives a patent is requested to reimburse the SmartZone up to the value of the subsidy used to procure the patent within the first few years of its successful commercialization or licensing.
Can established businesses utilize available service providers? Yes. Established businesses (those with recurring revenue and/or profit) are encouraged to utilize the available service providers even though they may not qualify for a program subsidy. Brooks Kushman and Boomerang Marketing provide local offices at the SmartZone for the convenience of all local businesses, thereby reducing the cost and improving the level of service to all clients in the area. Seminars offered within the program are open to all interested businesses.
Who is providing the expert services? Following an arduous selection process, the SmartZone chose Boomerang Marketing, a local full-service marketing company, for initial marketing services and Brooks Kushman, a full-service Intellectual Property Law firm from Southfield , Michigan , for patent services. Each company will provide reduced-rate services within the program and operate offices in Houghton , Michigan . As necessary, the program may also engage services from additional marketing experts.
Will my proprietary business information be kept confidential? Any business information that you provide in confidence will be kept confidential. If you receive patent assistance, you will enter attorney-client privilege with the patent attorney. Information including your business name, a description of your business and similar general information may be publicized in the program's marketing campaign. Additionally, you will be required to periodically report certain performance metrics in aggregate to measure the success of the program, none of which will be of a confidential nature.
Resource: http://www.mtecsmart.com/programs.html