Entrepreneurship

Coverage of those starting up businesses and community resources to help them thrive.

Janet Webster Jones in 2019. The founder of Source Booksellers will be a panelist at this year's Black Business Reunion at TechTown.

TechTown to host Black Business Reunion in recognition and celebration of city’s Black entrepreneurs

“Our Black Business Reunion is a celebration and recognition of Detroit’s Black business community, their everlasting legacy and the impact they make in our everyday lives,” says Christianne Malone, chief program officer at TechTown Detroit.

Latest in Entrepreneurship
Cathryn Coleman (center), founder and owner of Bouncing Around the Motor City: Party & Event Rentals and 2023 Hatch Detroit grand prize winner.
With $100K up for grabs, application window opens for Hatch Detroit small business pitch competition

"Hatch Detroit continues to attract community-minded entrepreneurs who are strengthening Detroit's small business economy," says Christianne Malone, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and Chief Program Officer of TechTown Detroit.

Dining Destinations: 8 bars and restaurants coming to Metro Detroit in 2024

The Metro Detroit hospitality industry is buzzing with new activity, so we check out eight places to try this year. "The amount of people that have stopped by to let us know that they live nearby and are excited is kind of overwhelming,” says Pie Sci founder Jeremy Damaske, who is opening an Oak Park location soon.

BUILD Institute shows micro-entrepreneurs that their vision is feasible

“Taking the Rebuild course helped me in terms of fund allocation," says Detroit entrepreneur Tishera Page. "I’m a lot more knowledgeable now than I was before opening the business in terms of scaling.”

Detroit's Crawford family celebrates the grand opening of Cred Cafè in the Rivertown district.
Coffee shop by day, speakeasy by night: Cred Cafè celebrates opening in Rivertown district

“Our story is one of passion, commitment and a genuine desire to contribute to Detroit's growth,” says Cred Cafè president and CEO Sylvia Crawford. “We started with a dream and transformed a vacant, blighted building into a multifaceted space that reflects the spirit of our community.”

Owners of Michigan & Trumbull Pizza, Nate Peck and Kristen Calverley.
Michigan & Trumbull Pizza finds new home at Dreamtroit

"Our success is a testament to the community's support, and we're excited to continue serving our unique Detroit-style pizza to the neighborhood," said co-owner Kristen Calverley.

Mapping Detroit: Coffee Shops and Community Building

Gathering spaces in Detroit are a hot commodity and not easy to come by, so the loss of just one is usually a substantial hit to the community. A handful of new baristas are trying their hand at pop-up coffee offerings and we can’t wait until they have some physical space to add to the growing demand.

TechTown Detroit is located at 440 Burroughs St. in Detroit.
TechTown-affiliated startup accelerator takes home this $500K grand prize in national competition

“The EPIC Prize will really help the entrepreneurs in these incubators bring their technologies to market faster,” says Dr. Vanessa Z. Chan, Chief Commercialization Officer for the U.S. DOE's Office of Technology Transitions.

“Elevate Your Voice” Entrepreneur Spotlight: Jason Dixon

"...we know that if we don't learn to work together and trust each other and create that system, because we have systems against us, we need to be smarter to create systems for us working together," says Jason Dixon, founder of the Inkster-based Strategic Alliance Community Development.

Detroit entrepreneurs encourage residents to shop small for the holidays

From vegan baked goods to skincare products to All Things Detroit, the holiday season is a time for the city's small businesses to shine. Here are three local gems you should know about, and how they find support from entrepreneurial applifiers in Detroit. 

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