TechTown is Detroit’s Entrepreneurship Hub

We help tech startups and local businesses launch and grow. We are an incubator and accelerator. We support businesses with coworking and office space, meeting space and event space. We also connect entrepreneurs to resources, and learning and networking events in Detroit.

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Tech. Neighborhoods. We mean business.

In the last 10 years, TechTown has supported nearly 2,000 startups and small businesses. Our entrepreneurs do whatever it takes to make their good ideas happen. And what does TechTown do? Whatever it takes to help them get there.

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Toast of the Town

Don’t miss Toast of the Town, presented by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Join us at TechTown on October 10 for a benefit celebrating Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit, featuring the 4th annual Salute Awards.

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Tech Startup Programs

If you’re serious about your startup, have an innovative technology or want to play a larger role in the city’s burgeoning tech industry, TechTown is the place to start. We can help you with proof of concept, incubation and commercialization services.

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Small Business Support Programs

We can help you start or grow a retail business like a bakery, coffee shop, clothing boutique or grocery store. We also support service-based or lifestyle businesses like fitness studios or hair salons, as well as small manufacturers.

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Check out more than 150 TechTown-supported businesses on our Shop Local directory.

TechTown Spotlight

Collaborations Matter

TechTown’s SWOT City team is a customized support program for brick-and-mortar small businesses in Detroit neighborhoods. As part of this support, SWOT City team members (Portfolio Managers) connect small businesses to a rich network of subject matter experts in support of their coaching efforts. This group of professionals cares about strengthening Detroit through a unique approach to commercial corridor revitalization, job creation and economic development.There are many important aspects to running a small business. In today’s competitive omnichannel sales environment, a website that connects you to customers, represents your brand, provides sales opportunities and enhances your online presence is vital.On July 3, TechTown partnered again with Rebrand Cities, a global civic design partnership with Wordpress.com, and Venture for America Fellows (VFA) to host a hackathon style event, in which 30 Detroit small businesses were assisted in developing their first websites. Two hundred VFA Fellows created new websites for businesses, led workshops and provided one-on-one sessions to help educate business owners on brand building, domain research and design.Six SWOT City businesses (including a Retail Boot Camp graduate) worked in partnership with VFA Fellows to produce new websites:Razzle Dazzle Nail Supply, Chasity Jones | razzledazzlesupply.com Triangulo Dorado, Adrian and Karina Torre | triangulo-dorado.comMangonadas del Barrio, Antonio and Maribel Hernandez | Mangonadas del BarrioLa Rosita, Angelica Saenz | larositarestaurant.comEl Caporal, Antonio and Aracely Canchola | elcaporaldetroit.comQuince Primaveras, Eulalia Piña | 15primaverasllc.com“For so many years I tried to have a website for my business,” said SWOT City client, Eulalia Piña, owner of Quince Primaveras.” This seemed almost impossible since they are very costly. Finally, I have a website where customers from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County can see the variety and brands of gowns we carry. I am really loving my website.”SWOT City Portfolio Managers at TechTown are here to support, encourage and connect businesses with other professionals who will offer the specific expertise needed to grow your business.  TechTown has a broad network of tools and resources, including subject matter experts, workshops and the Accenture Skills to Succeed online learning platform. At TechTown we know, collaborations matter!

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Next-Level Pop-up Merchandising

With a little planning and purposeful decision-making, you can create a visually stunning pop-up display that can be scaled for a variety of spaces, make a strong statement about your brand and gain the interest of new customers.Pop-ups are a great way to test products, broaden brand exposure and awareness and gain new customers. Unfortunately, many vendors underestimate the value that well-executed visual merchandising can have on gaining new customers and increasing sales. If your display is boring or unattractive, customers will keep walking by, but if you can gain their attention, you have an opportunity to convert them to a customer for life.The effort you put into your pop-up display can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Visual merchandising is an art. It doesn’t need to be complicated, simply make thoughtful and purposeful choices and create a set of tools to convey your brand story to potential customers.TechTown now offers a custom fixture library to vendors at our monthly pop-up, The SHOP, to help entrepreneurs learn and practice these three tips for next-level pop-up merchandising:

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Featherstone Moments

For many minority entrepreneurs, it’s difficult to discover the proper support in communities that have not always been inclusive of everyone. Juan Carlos Dueweke-Perez created his marketing agency Featherstone Moments to address the challenges faced by businesses owners of color, women and the LGBTQ community. Find out more about how his company works with entrepreneurs and why he loves coworking at TechTown.

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Expert Business Advisors at TechTown

Get Involved

Offer your expertise to small businesses and startups in Detroit. Join our Professional Services Network and give back to the community by mentoring Detroit entrepreneurs.

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Events At TechTown

Our calendar is full of great business events and learning events. Join us at an upcoming event.

Host your next event at TechTown. 

Support our Work

Your tax-deductible donation helps launch and grow businesses across Detroit while contributing to the revitalization of a great American city.

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