The 2025 Momentum Report

At Lionbear Ventures, capital is more than funding.

It's a tool for strengthening communities, accelerating innovation, and backing the people doing the hard work of building something that lasts. Over the past year, Lionbear Ventures has supported projects across Michigan that span rural towns, urban centers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and municipalities. Each investment represents more than a dollar amount. It represents belief, partnership, and momentum.

​In 2025, $7,484,600 has been deployed across 26 awards in 15 communities in Michigan. From large-scale municipal projects to early-stage accelerators and community-based organizations, this funding reflects a broad and intentional approach to economic development. These awards support job creation, innovation, housing, sustainability, small business growth, and community infrastructure. Just as importantly, they demonstrate what is possible when public, private, and mission-driven partners move forward together.

​Numbers quantify success, but communities define it.

​Each award tells a story of a place and a purpose: cities investing in their future, organizations scaling their reach, and entrepreneurs turning ideas into action. Lionbear Ventures remains focused on backing projects that deliver both economic return and community resilience.

"2025 was the year Lionbear Ventures proved we're here to stay. This week I rewatched the film Hidden Figures with my eight-year-old daughter. I was once again moved by JFK's speech 'We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.'

​Lionbear chooses to serve small Michigan communities and businesses whose projects and initiatives are hard.  We may not get it perfect each time, but we remain unafraid to take chances and bring innovation to some incredible clients.

​Nothing we do, we do alone. I want to recognize partners like Centrepolis Accelerator, i69 Regional Development Corp, Shiawassee Chamber of Commerce and The Cook Foundation for their brave leadership. This was a year when the team witnessed the seeds we’ve planted have now produced fruit. We'll continue to sow more seeds and look for us to pursue even greater challenges in 2026!" 

Ashley Connelly
Lionbear Ventures Founder & CEO