The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center has brought a new specialty business into its ranks. The software development company Corlnet has signed a two-year agreement with Grand Valley State University that allows the company use of incubator space at MAREC locations.

Based in Muskegon, Corlnet has an office in Grand Rapids and develops software for small businesses, government offices and Fortune 500 companies, offering proprietary software products, managed services and custom software development to clients across the U.S. in locations such as West Michigan, California, Texas and Florida.

Though Corlnet is only two years old, it has public and private sector clients in industries such as education, health care, insurance, aerospace, transportation and manufacturing.

Corlnet’s addition to MAREC was facilitated through a referral and incentive program, through which Corlnet joined another business, Longerdays.com, which also utilizes the incubator space at MAREC.

“Business incubators are spaces that are designed to help new and sometimes referred to as ‘start up’ businesses,” said Arn Boezaart, director of MAREC.

These spaces offer business support resources and services that help entrepreneurial companies grow during their early stages.

MAREC has a dual function, focusing on not only energy, but also on technology, Boezaart said. On the technological side, MAREC is part of the Muskegon SmartZone, which is a joint venture with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the city of Muskegon and GVSU intended to promote and attract high-technology business development in Muskegon and the region.
“As part of the Muskegon SmartZone, it’s important for us to support locally based technology start-ups as well as energy-related businesses,” Boezaart said.

Hank Betten, founder of Corlnet, moved the business into MAREC offices on Nov. 1, leading a team of six full-time employees.

“Our company includes software engineers, developers and architects who can build custom software for customer-specific needs, versus other types of companies that often adapt existing ‘one-size-fits-all’ products that may not serve a customer’s unique business process,” Betten said. “We’ve had a great year, and I see it continuing. I expect to double our staff to 12 employees in the coming year.”

Although there are many software companies in West Michigan, Corlnet stands among the few owned and centered locally in the Muskegon/Lakeshore region. This location allows Corlnet to have face-to-face interactions between clients and the company’s developers.

Betten said Corlnet’s ultimate goal is to revolutionize the marketplace for the information technology infrastructure industry, enabling it to engage more effectively with customers and end-users in developing solutions for their business needs.

To learn more about the business incubator program, www.gvsu.edu/marec/business-incubator-program.

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