History

TechTown was founded in 2000 by Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System and General Motors. In 2004, TechTown incorporated as a nonprofit and established its headquarters in a landmark 1927 Albert Kahn building just north of the Wayne State campus.

Originally founded to support tech-based spinoffs from the university, we soon realized that our incubation and acceleration strategies for tech companies could help strengthen neighborhood small businesses and commercial corridors across Detroit. Today, we offer a full suite of entrepreneurial services for tech and neighborhood businesses, with satellite offices across the city.

Our five-story building serves as an entrepreneurial hub, housing the TechTown administrative offices, our J440 coworking community, meeting and event space, and numerous businesses working across sectors to drive progress in Detroit. TechTown works in close partnership with Wayne State’s Office of Economic Development, the university’s hub for catalyzing business activity in Midtown and across the Detroit region.