Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier
Series
Upjohn Institute Technical Report No. 26-061
DOI
10.17848/tr26-061
Issue Date
September 2026
Abstract
The Solutions Hub for an Alternative Packaging Ecosystem (SHAPE), a Michigan-Ohio partnership operated by the Michigan State University Research Foundation as part of a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine, co-funded a special cohort of the NextCycle Accelerator focused on sustainable packaging and circular economy ventures. This report evaluates how the accelerator contributed to firm-level advancement and ecosystem-level change, drawing on program data and interviews with participating companies, program facilitators, stakeholders, and SHAPE management. Participants most consistently credited coaching, network connections, and the Pitch Showcase with meaningfully impacting their business trajectory, gaining market traction, advancing technology readiness, and gaining access to the market. Benefits varied with company maturity and operating capacity and were conditional of limited accelerator funding constraining coaching hours and peer-to-peer engagement. The evaluation concludes that the accelerator is an effective intervention and, besides scaling it up, recommends strengthening onboarding, expanding coaching and peer engagement, and broadening partnerships with regional companies. Stakeholder interviews added insight into how SHAPE can strengthen its long-term impact. Recommendations include aligning SHAPE programming with state agencies, universities, and policy efforts to build a regional environment that supports circular packaging businesses.
Sponsorship
Michigan State University Foundation
Subject Areas
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; Industry studies; Entrepreneurship and innovation; Regional policy and planning; Regional collaboration; Business and tax incentives; WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Executive Summary
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Citation
Lendel, Iryna V. and Chloe Wieber. 2026. "From Innovation to Impact: Evaluation of the SHAPE Accelerator Cohort." Upjohn Institute Technical Report No. 26-061. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. https://doi.org/10.17848/tr26-061