East Michigan APEX Accelerator

06/01/2026

National Small Business Month may be ending, but the mission continues.

🔹 99.9% of U.S. businesses are small businesses
🔹 46% of America's workforce is employed by small businesses
🔹 Millions support federal missions
🔹 Thousands contribute to the defense industrial base

These companies are designing, manufacturing, innovating, and delivering the capabilities that help keep our nation secure.

Throughout May, we highlighted the critical role these companies play in supporting readiness, expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, and delivering innovative solutions to meet national security needs.

The Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth is committed to helping more businesses find their place in the defense marketplace through resources such as APEX Accelerators, Project Spectrum, the Mentor-Protégé Program, and LYNX, our digital platform designed to help businesses assess readiness and connect with mission-aligned opportunities.

The mission is too important to leave talent on the sidelines.

Thank you to the small businesses powering the warfighter and strengthening America's industrial base.

Small Business. Big Mission. Learn more at business.defense.gov.

05/26/2026

2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo: Meet the Buyers

The U.S. Small Business Administration, General Motors and the New American Industrial Alliance are excited to announce the list of buyers participating in the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at MotorCity Casino Hotel (Detroit, MI) on June 5, 2026, from 10 am – 3 pm EDT!

Buyer Highlight 🔍 - Boeing
Boeing is a global aerospace company that develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
• 336412 - Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing ✈️
• 336413 - Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing ✈️

Register, spots are limited! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-supplier-matchmaking-expo-tickets-1986269266846?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/26/2026

2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo: Meet the Buyers

The U.S. Small Business Administration, General Motors and the New American Industrial Alliance are excited to announce the list of buyers participating in the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at MotorCity Casino Hotel (Detroit, MI) on June 5, 2026, from 10 am – 3 pm EDT!

Buyer Highlight 🔍 - NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA is America's space agency, pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.
• 336414 - Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
• 336415 - Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion
Unit Parts Manufacturing
• 236210 - Industrial Building Construction
• 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life
Sciences
• 541330 - Engineering Services

Register, spots are limited! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-supplier-matchmaking-expo-tickets-1986269266846?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/26/2026

Had a great time at 2026 connecting with partners, buyers, and business owners. 💼✨Thank you to the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) team for hosting.

05/22/2026

Our mission is to support the warfighter. We remember and honor the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces this Memorial Day.

Our office is closed Monday, May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

U.S. Suppliers: Here's 5 reasons why you don't want to miss the Supplier Matchmaking Expo on June 5 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, MI (10am - 3pm EDT)

Top 5 Reasons to Attend:

1️⃣ 1-on-1 matchmaking with real buyers – pitch & build relationships!

2️⃣ Strengthen U.S. supply chains amid global disruptions

3️⃣ Free high-value networking with buyer + resources

4️⃣ Maximize your time: Choose prescheduled meetings, informal chats, or both!

5️⃣ Limited spots available!

Don't miss the opportunity to speak with buyers who are looking for their perfect match! Register now: https://suppliermatchmakingexpo.eventbrite.com/

Connect and boost your business at the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo—live and in person! No cost to attend!

05/19/2026

Beyond SAM.gov: How to Win Your First Contract.
NEW! Webinar...Coming Soon. Register: 83fdfa5d-f09c-43e3-976b-8b95b08e1219@253e7787-672d-4071-9290-fc3db5246db7" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/83fdfa5d-f09c-43e3-976b-8b95b08e1219@253e7787-672d-4071-9290-fc3db5246db7

05/13/2026

is showing the world what Michigan’s defense industry can do as the Arsenal of Democracy 💪

We’re located in the Army Pavilion, come say hi! 👋

Michigan Defense Expo x XPONENTIAL Show

05/08/2026

Happy Small Business Month! 🎉

May is National Small Business Month — a time to recognize the businesses driving our economy and delivering critical capabilities for our warfighters.

On Monday, President Trump hosted a summit honoring the contributions of small businesses across the nation. As the President said clearly: small businesses are “the lifeblood of the American economy…[and] our country is made up of a lot of small businesses and that ends up being a really big business.”

President Trump, through his “Great Big Beautiful Tax Cut and Regulation Cut Bill” (as he remarked at the event), has unlocked significant capital flow for America’s small businesses. In fact, 12 million small businesses received an average tax cut of over $7,000.

At the Department of War, small businesses aren’t just part of the industrial base ecosystem — they are essential to mission readiness, innovation, and delivering capability at speed and scale.

As we join our federal partners and industry this month in recognizing National Small Business Month, we are proud to highlight the businesses making a daily impact on mission readiness, acquisition outcomes, and defense industrial base resilience.

02/10/2026

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center hosted its Manufacturing Insights and Innovation Expo to discuss technology adoption, workforce challenges, business growth, and operational priorities.