What is Velocity?
Velocity is a catalyst for culture change designed to accelerate innovation, reinvention, and growth for Macomb County businesses in the manufacturing, technology, and defense industry. Located in the Sterling Innovation District, our incubator, accelerator, and coworking space offer world-class opportunities to help businesses thrive.
Who we are
Velocity has provided space, programming, and support to entrepreneurs and growing companies for the past 11 years. The collaboration between the City of Sterling Heights, Macomb County, and Oakland University launched the center and created a hub for economic development across Macomb County as one of 21 SmartZones in the state of Michigan.
What we value
+ Accelerating growth
+ Inspiring and igniting innovation
+ Creating collisions and collaboration
+ Diverse ideas, people, thoughts, and perspectives
+ Being a valued and trusted partner
Our business community

Velocity is proudly located in the “Sterling Innovation District,” which spans six square miles and is home to 28 million square feet of industrial and high-tech space.
Billions of dollars in new high-tech manufacturing investments have been made throughout the Sterling Innovation District over the past five years, including the reinvention of Velocity
Our Team

April Boyle
Senior Advisor for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Interim Director of Velocity
April Boyle is a Social entrepreneur angel Investor, and champion of inclusive innovation ecosystems. As founder and former executive director of BUILD Institute, she helped incubate hundreds of small businesses—especially women- and minority-owned.

Paula Macpherson
Community Engagement Manager
Paula serves as the Community Engagement Manager, helping Velocity grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem by strengthening relationships and partnerships in Macomb County. She is a lifelong resident of Macomb County and has always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

Kathryn Quell
Building Services Specialist
In her role as Velocity’s Building Services Specialist, Kathryn works closely with tenants to ensure the physical aspects of the building are operating smoothly. She supports program initiatives, acts as a liaison for the board, manages finances related to Velocity’s operations, and much more.

Velocity aims to
+ Provide a sense of community and connections
+ Accelerate innovation and reinvention
+ Be a resource for start-up and second-stage business support
+ Be a catalyst for culture change and collisions



