FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nancy Kooienga
Director, Marketing & Communications
Phone: 616.210.9596
Email: kooiengn@gvsu.edu
Michigan Small Business Development Center Expands Tech Team, Hires Two New Consultants to Support Key Michigan Tech Sectors
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announce the recent expansion of the Michigan SBDC Tech Team. Two new consultants have been added to accelerate the growth of high-tech entrepreneurship and reinforce Michigan’s leadership in the life sciences-MedTech and freshwater sectors.
Dr. Shruti Bagla will support the rapidly expanding health sector in Michigan, targeting Detroit and neighboring Ontario, with the aim of bolstering the region’s reputation as a major hub for medical innovation. She will assist with medical startups in locating and accessing the specialized resources needed to thrive in a highly competitive market with uniquely lengthy timelines for success. One of her key priorities will be to enhance funding submissions in this cost-intensive sector where delays can significantly impede start-up growth.
Dr. Bagla is a dynamic venture professional with deep expertise in commercializing advanced technologies and driving growth in the high-tech life sciences sector. She brings a unique blend of scientific rigor and executive leadership to the Michigan SBDC Tech Team, where she supports startups across growth stages. With a proven track record of evaluating startups, conducting due diligence, and scaling healthcare innovations—including medical devices, tech-enabled care delivery, and life science tools—Dr. Bagla has made a significant impact both within early-stage ventures and multi-billion-dollar healthcare systems.
Dr. Bagla holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Wayne State University, where she studied epilepsy and later in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Currently, she is wrapping up her Executive MBA at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Dr. Bagla has contributed significantly to scientific literature and has been featured in prominent platforms such as Wayne State University’s Graduate School Newsletter and Crain’s Detroit Business through her leadership at RapidBio.
Joe Carr will focus on positioning Michigan as a leader in freshwater innovation by supporting funding submissions and fostering strategic collaborations that drive technology development in rural areas and universities. One of his key responsibilities will be to engage stakeholders in the sector to create a shared vision and collaborate with advocacy groups and state agencies to tackle common challenges.
Carr has a successful track record in fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship, with extensive experience in launching and scaling successful businesses, coupled with a deep understanding of community needs. His unique qualifications have helped clients create and retain nearly 700 jobs, attract over $56 million in investment, and launch over 120 new companies. Carr has led multiple award-winning programs, including a tech initiative that broke funding and award records.
“From MedTech to BlueTech, the Michigan SBDC Tech Team is poised to help Michigan small businesses succeed across sectors,” said J.D. Collins, Michigan SBDC Executive Director | CEO. “We have great expectations for the impact Shruti and Joe bring to the ecosystem, and we are incredibly grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for its support.”
“This initiative will secure Michigan’s position as a leader in high-tech innovation within two key sectors of the state’s economy,” said Ben Marchionna, Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer at the MEDC. “Michiganders possess all the innovation, resources and drive needed to seize current global opportunities, and it is the MEDC’s mission to enable that.”
The Michigan SBDC provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services, market research, cybersecurity resources and business education through the Michigan SBDC.
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About the Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center’s mission is to provide no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michigan SBDC services are available through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners may access the services of their nearest Michigan SBDC office by visiting michigansbdc.org.
The Michigan SBDC is hosted on a state level by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business. Regional hosts include Saginaw Valley State University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Mid Michigan College, Michigan Technological University, Kettering University, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and Lansing Community College.