One of the most inclusive and supportive tech-based startup programs in the region, Start Studio is designed for aspiring startup founders with a tech-based business idea they want to test in the real world. If you’ve ever said, “I’ve got a great tech idea, but I don’t know where to start,” Start Studio is for you.

Start Studio has two different tracks: Start Studio Discovery and Start Studio MVP. Start Studio Discovery is focused on validating early tech ideas through customer discovery interviews while Start Studio MVP helps founders to create demonstration-ready Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for customer-validated tech startups.

One of the most inclusive and supportive tech-based startup programs in the region, Start Studio is designed for aspiring startup founders with a tech-based business idea they want to test in the real world. If you’ve ever said, “I’ve got a great tech idea, but I don’t know where to start,” Start Studio is for you.

Start Studio has two different tracks: Start Studio Discovery and Start Studio MVP. Start Studio Discovery is focused on validating early tech ideas through customer discovery interviews while Start Studio MVP helps founders to create demonstration-ready Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for customer-validated tech startups.

Scale Studio is a TechTown Detroit program for established, revenue-generating service companies. Scale Studio focuses on helping participants to document and convert their intellectual property into monetized education or infotainment-based content. We offer six weeks of support via weekly online sessions and weekly coaching sessions with experts.

All Participants work toward three key outcomes: Establishing a tech-enabled aspect of their business, Generating reliable, recurring revenue from the tech side, and Operating the tech side profitably

The Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) is available to participating business accelerators in Michigan’s statewide SmartZone network. These funds are used toward the delivery of specialized services that are not otherwise available from these business accelerators to assist advanced technology companies, regardless of the company’s geography. A participating business accelerator will engage a third party specialist to help advance the client’s path to commercialization, company success and economic impact for the state of Michigan.

MAIN is one of the components of the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM), a $52.2M grant awarded to a broad coalition of partners. Led by the Detroit Regional Partnership, MAIN partners collaborate with each other and with the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance, the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the Economic Growth Institute at University of Michigan to leverage the region’s automotive, engineering, design, innovation and manufacturing strengths, leadership, and assets as elements of a smart, secure, sustainable, and inclusive advanced-mobility cluster.

MedHealth connect innovators, providers, payers, funders, health systems, economic developers, and businesses so they can develop cutting-edge products that improve quality of care.

It's designed to backup startups on both ends of the Michigan and Ontario border that boost the startup scene for the medical device and digital health entrepreneurial ecosystem; contribute to the growth and retention of business, talent, and investment; and serve to position medical innovation as a catalyst of the regional economy.

TechTown’s Retail Boot Camp comes in two variants: Brick & Mortar and E-Commerce. The Brick & Mortar edition is an intensive, hands-on, 12-week program that prepares serious entrepreneurs for the opening of their brick-and-mortar establishments in Wayne County. The program curriculum is designed to strengthen businesses to grow to a permanent location as they look to thrive in today’s retail environment.

The E-Commerce edition is al equally intesnive, eight-week program specifically designed for home-based, pop-up and e-commerce businesses based in Wayne County, or owned by residents of Wayne County. The program curriculum is designed to strengthen business owners’ skill sets and grow their businesses as they look to thrive in today’s retail environment.

The SHOP is TechTown Detroit’s world-class pop-up that allows entrepreneurs at a variety of business stages to test their ideas in a retail environment while offering in-the-moment coaching from retail experts.

This free program offers an opportunity to gain access to the TechTown community and its resources, network with fellow Detroit area entrepreneurs, reach a broader customer base, learn about visual merchandising and generate sales.

Coaching Up is a customized support program for small businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park neighborhoods. Whether you have remained open, reopened or are determining how to best move your business forward, Coaching Up is here to help! Our staff of passionate, skilled professionals provides one-on-one coaching to help understand, sustain and strengthen business operations in neighborhood commercial districts.

Detroit Elevate is intended to support second-stage businesses on their journey towards continued sustainability, growth and scalability. This initiative provides small businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park with connections to resources, capital and technical assistance that will allow them to enhance operations, improve customer experience, and expand services.

Since 2011, Hatch Detroit has helped Detroiters support up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown is an innovative contest that asks the community to decide the winner by voting for the business they want to see open in the city.

Each year, the grand prize winner will receive $100,000 courtesy of Comerica Bank to help open their doors! The Top 10 finalists receive free consulting and in-kind services from TechTown Detroit.

TechTown understands the unique challenges small businesses and entrepreneurs face when managing administrative tasks like payroll and benefits administration, talent management, compliance and financial services for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the TechTown community and beyond.

That’s why we created Ops+. No matter what stage your business is in, you deserve a reliable, experienced, and local partner to support your HR and financial needs.

Are you seeking specialized support for your tech startup or neighborhood small business? TechTown’s Strategists, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and Professional Service Network members offer free, 25-minute consultations to help you take your business to the next level. Our experts bring a diverse range of skills and specialties, and are eager to share their knowledge with you. Ready to start the conversation? Schedule an appointment with a team member who best aligns with your business needs.

Through the Small Business Support Hub Grant, funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, TechTown Detroit, ProsperUs Detroit, Eastern Market Partnership, Michigan SBDC, and BUILD Institute have partnered together to expand our collective free resources and events to all of Wayne County.

The Hub offers free and low-cost resources and invaluable business insights to help start, scale, and grow your business. Resources include in-person and virtual workshops, cohort-based training, coaching with industry experts and business strategists, ecosystem networking events, and so much more.

First Thursdays is a gathering where entrepreneurs, startups, and ecosystem partners unite to share ideas, forge connections, and support one another on their entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or starting, First Thursdays offers something for everyone.

Get a workspace that truly helps your bsuiness run: Become a member for as little as $170 per month with shared desk access! Dedicated desks start at $270 per month. All memberships include meeting room space (varies by package). Shared and dedicated desk membership are available at TechTown only.

Add your business to our community of high-tech enterprises, innovative small businesses, and nonprofit and social impact organizations. Private office suites and lab spaces allow you to personalize the space to fit your team and your work. Private office and lab members have 24/7 access to their suites and community amenities.

First Thursdays is a gathering where entrepreneurs, startups, and ecosystem partners unite to share ideas, forge connections, and support one another on their entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or starting, First Thursdays offers something for everyone.