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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CMURC Midland SmartZone Best Small Business Recognized
CFSpan honored for success with innovative carbon fiber products
MIDLAND, Mich., July 31, 2024 — CFSpan has been recognized as the 2023 CMURC Midland
SmartZone Best Small Business of the Year, honoring founders Ravi Shanker and Willie
Rytlewski for their patented carbon fiber products. Shanker and Rytlewski join the impressive
group of past recipients of the Entrepreneurs of the Year and SmartZone Small Business of the
Year awardees and were recognized by the Governor, alongside other business leaders at the
annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business gala.
CF Span is a Midland-based start-up committed to bringing carbon fiber benefits to industrial
applications, specializing in structural solutions that use economical and high-performance
carbon fiber products for high-tech industries like aviation, automotive, aerospace, energy, and
infrastructure. Some benefits of using carbon fiber are high stiffness, high tensile strength, high
strength to weight ratio, high chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance, and low thermal
expansion.
“The team at CF Span presents a distinct value proposition with their corporate experience and
their ability to bring this new, innovative technology to market,” noted Erin Strang, President +
CEO of CMURC. “Partnering with the Midland Business Alliance, and SBDC Tech Team to
facilitate Business Accelerator Funds, and other MEDC initiatives to bolster a local early-stage
tech company has poised this venture to foster job creation and investment opportunities in our
region.”
CF Span's technology is supported by initiatives like the SmartZone programs, Great Lakes Bay
Business Hub (GLB SBH), MEDC STEAM Ahead, Business Accelerator Fund (BAF), and
Going PRO Talent Fund, and serves as a catalyst for local growth and innovation. Within the
ecosystem, entrepreneurs are invited to tap into a diverse range of programs and services. By
getting involved, entrepreneurs can collaborate to craft a customized solution, ensuring eligibility
and opening doors to opportunity.
“CF Span’s mission is to enable customer success by delivering economical, high performance
structural products that span into the future,” said Ravi Shanker, cofounder of CF Span.
“CMURC has helped us with the many connections in the community to experts that we need as
we scale up."
CF Span achieved notable milestones that underscored their commitment to comprehensive
business growth and economic development. Among their key accomplishments was the
formulation of a robust business strategy, characterized by a multi-generational product portfolio
that ensures longevity and adaptability in a dynamic market landscape. CF Span fortified their
position through the development of unique intellectual property, specifically tailored for the
creation of intricate structures using CarbonBar™ technology.
"Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is essential for community vitality and growth,” said
Tony Stamas, MBA President and CEO. “We're excited that CF Span has chosen Midland as its
base, introducing groundbreaking technology set to positively impact the Great Lakes Bay
Region."
To learn more about business accelerator programs and space, please visit https://cmurc.com for
more information or to see other resources and apply for the Great Lakes Bay Business Hub visit
https://workgreatlakesbay.com.
About CF Span
CF Span, founded in 2023 and headquartered in Midland, MI, is committed to pioneering
breakthrough industrial products that are both affordable and revolutionary. With a mission to
empower customer success, CF Span delivers economical, lightweight, high-performance
structural products designed to span into the future. Their flagship product, CARBONBAR™,
showcases the unparalleled strength and lightness of carbon fiber, making it ideal for a wide
range of applications, from aerospace to renewable energy.
CF Span is passionate about making the advantages of carbon fiber accessible and budgetfriendly. The company stands out by offering solutions that provide weight reduction, consistent
availability, and superior environmental performance compared to traditional materials like
aluminum and steel. Despite market adoption challenges, CF Span addresses these with a
competitive pricing strategy, ensuring early customers receive significant value from
lightweighting their products. For more information, visit www.cfspan.com
About Great Lakes Bay Business Hub
The Great Lakes Bay Business Hub (GLBBH) is your go-to resource for small business support
and workspace solutions across the Great Lakes Bay Region. It provides flexible conference and
office spaces in Bay City, Midland, Saginaw, and Mt. Pleasant facility in Isabella County,
catering specifically to the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners. The mission at
GLBBH is to strengthen the region's economic landscape by empowering local businesses.
Through collaboration with regional Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development
Corporations, the GLBBH offers a comprehensive network of support and resources to fuel
growth and innovation. Apply today and unlock new opportunities to propel your business
forward.
About Central Michigan University Research Corporation
CMURC is the regions Entrepreneurial Service Organization offering professional and diverse
coworking space with accelerator programs focused on product and strategic development for
entrepreneurs to positively impact the economy in the Great Lakes Bay Region. It brings
together local, regional and statewide partners to accelerate the success of entrepreneurs,
professionals, and corporations growing businesses and jobs by leveraging the resources of
Central Michigan University, the Mount Pleasant SmartZone District, and the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation. CMURC is committed to inclusive entrepreneurship with
the ultimate goal of closing the opportunity gap because people from all backgrounds deserve
access to business and entrepreneurial resources.
About Midland Business Alliance
The Midland Business Alliance (MBA) represents more than 3,000 businesses as Midland's
business hub. The goal of the MBA is to support the attraction, development and growth of
businesses throughout Midland by providing an integrated portfolio of tools and resources.
Additionally, the MBA manages the Midland Area Farmers Market and Midland Blooms. Visit
our website at www.MBAmi.org for more information.
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To schedule an interview or for more information, please contact:
Kali Weiler
Central Michigan University Research Corporation
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