ENTRYPOINT

FLINT, MI — Small businesses in Genesee County faced financial obstacles, embraced “shop local” initiatives and struggled with getting access to capital over the last year, according to the 2021 Genesee County Small Business Analysis. The Flint and Genesee Economic Alliance gathered input from 350 small businesses that responded to the Genesee County Small Business Landscape Survey, conducted by Ann Arbor-based research firm EntryPoint. Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, told MLive-The Flint Journal that the organization went into “emergency crisis management” mode during the pandemic, working to get information and money out to small businesses. Gipson also owns an online t-shirt line, Flint Small Business Saturday and plans to release a stationary products line. Flint - Support small businesses” initiative.

ANN ARBOR – Nonprofit research institution EntryPoint has released its 2020 Midwest Shop Local Gift Guide in order to boost sales this holiday season at local businesses. Featured Ann Arbor businesses include the Ann Arbor Art Center, Cadence Baby, Cookie Colab, The Getup Vintage, Produce Puns and Poisera, to name a few. “The pandemic makes shopping at local businesses difficult this year, so we’re here to help," reads its website. “EntryPoint’s 2020 Midwest Shop Local Gift Guide is an easy way to buy gifts at any price point during the 2020 holiday season. The guide is also a great resource for discovering more about each company and their work, their leaders, products and services.”Browse the gift guide here.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Despite the coronavirus pandemic impacting local businesses, Ann Arbor can add the title of startup leader to its many accolades, according to a new report. Released on Aug. 17, by Ann Arbor-based entrepreneurial research nonprofit EntryPoint, the report found that Ann Arbors high-tech ecosystem is going strong and that 38% of Michigans startup companies call Washtenaw County home. However, only 15% of these venture-backed startups are led by people of color and only 13% are led by women, according to the EntryPoint report. Of those surveyed, 94% of all high-growth, high-tech startup companies in Washtenaw County felt somewhat prepared to operate during times of shelter-in-place. However, 36 of the 55 active venture-backed startups have reported feeling impacted by the pandemic, according to the report.

ANN ARBOR The majority of business owners in Ann Arbor reported being impacted by the coronavirus health crisis, according to a new report by EntryPoint. The research-based nonprofit surveyed 185 businesses across the city of Ann Arbor, 48% of which are located in the downtown area. Businesses surveyed operate across a variety of sectors including hospitality, tech, retail, health care, professional services and agriculture, among others. Ann Arbor companies make up for 46% of businesses in all of Washtenaw County. Revenue lossAccording to the report, 59% of businesses in Ann Arbor lost more than half their revenue since February.