Mark Johnson

Developing Software for Fortune® 500 and High-Growth Companies | Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Michigan Software Labs | Forbes Technology and Fast Company Executive Board

Mark spends his time talking with leaders who feel growing pressure to modernize, but aren’t convinced the next move is the right one yet.

Across hundreds of conversations with CEOs, CIOs, VPs, and executives, he sees a familiar pattern: internal teams are stretched thin, legacy systems are holding things back, and there’s no shortage of ideas. But there is plenty of uncertainty about where to invest, what to tackle first, and how much risk is acceptable. Too often, organizations move quickly into execution before they’re aligned on the real problem they’re trying to solve.

As co-founder of Michigan Software Labs, Mark’s role sits early in that decision journey. He helps leaders slow down just enough to clarify what matters and determine whether moving forward actually makes sense. When there is a clear opportunity, MichiganLabs’ senior strategy, design, and engineering teams carry that clarity through execution.

Mark brings perspective shaped by both entrepreneurship and long-term relationship building. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Economic Club of Grand Rapids and has been recognized as one of the Grand Rapids 200 Most Powerful Business Leaders and a Grand Rapids Business Journal 40 Under 40.

He enjoys helping organizations avoid costly missteps and make digital investments they can stand behind, and this focus is deeply personal.

Mark comes from a family of builders. His great-grandfather founded Forslund Furniture Company in 1935 and grew it through craftsmanship, storytelling, and enduring relationships. Mark sees MichiganLabs as a modern extension of that legacy: different tools, but the same commitment to doing good work with care.

Outside of work, Mark is a husband and father of four daughters. Evenings are often spent playing dress-up or princess, and he enjoys tennis, golf, ping-pong, and staying active in his church and local tech community.

Managing Partner

Michigan Software Labs develops custom mobile, web, and Internet of Things (IoT) software for clients ranging from locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Recognized as a leader in UX/UI design, with millions of end users to date, Michigan Software Labs was named one of the Top UX Design Companies in the U.S. by Clutch and the Inc. Best Places to Work Award.

Principal Consultant @ The i+D.e. Agency | Technology Transfer, Validation, Systems & Design Thinking

I partner with executive teams in Pharma, Biotech, and other highly regulated sectors to diagnose and permanently remove the structural growth inhibitors that threaten high-value, high-risk enterprises.

My methodology centers on eliminating Systemic Debt—the pervasive operational friction that arises when administrative complexity and process rigidity (“the lawyers”) suppress the insight, expertise, and innovation of technical teams (“the engineers”).

In precision-driven industries, this friction results in chronic compliance failures, massive Wasted Talent, and an organization that cannot scale, sustain, or adapt.

As a Hybrid Thinker, I operate as a systems auditor who integrates deep regulatory and quality expertise with advanced creative systems design. This dual fluency allows me to trace the true origins of Systemic Debt and engineer tailored, antifragile solutions that endure.

My firm, guided by The Apex Blueprint, designs and builds proprietary, bankable operational systems. We convert critical institutional knowledge into auditable, repeatable, and scalable operating machines—delivered as fixed-fee revenue products.
We support executive teams through seamless implementation, ensuring immediate remediation and long-term enterprise value.

Core Service Offerings — Ensuring Systemic Endurance

System Trace Audit
Precise, end-to-end diagnosis of Systemic Debt and hidden systemic failure.

Apex Delivery Protocol
Robust program leadership and controlled deployment of new systems.

Resilience Doctrine
A structured approach that ensures sustainable change, adoption, and behavioral alignment.

The Unity Blueprint
A proprietary framework for organizational alignment, cohesion, and cross-functional clarity.

The Hybrid Thinker Lab — Creating Bankable IP Ventures

Beyond our consulting practice, we conceive, design, and rapidly deploy high-value IP ventures through the Hybrid Thinker Lab, converting market foresight into high-margin, annuity-based revenue streams.

Our portfolio includes:

Generative media platforms (e.g., Concept Generator)

High-engagement intelligence applications (e.g., PrismGate)

Licensable intellectual property and operational system templates

The Apex Blueprint Guarantees Systemic Endurance

I eliminate Systemic Debt by bridging rational diagnosis with human-centric adoption, delivering solutions that are technically sound, organizationally embraced, and designed to last.

Stop managing crisis.
Mandate control.
Build a Zero-Debt Future.

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The Battle

Mark Johnson

Clarke Price 💡

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