Applications now open for DTX Launch Detroit college tech accelerator

Date: January 14, 2019

Contact: Brianna Batton

Phone: (313) 577-3122

Email: brianna@techtowndetroit.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Applications now open for DTX Launch Detroit college tech accelerator 

Students get paid to work on their business, compete for a total of up to $25,000 in cash

 

DTX Launch Detroit is offering Michigan college students and recent graduates the opportunity to get paid to work on their tech startup–and potentially win a grand prize of $15,000 for their business. The 10-week accelerator is accepting applications for summer 2019. Applications are open through April 5. Three information sessions will be held, on January 10, February 19 and March 20, from 5:30-8pm at TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs, Detroit.

“DTX Launch Detroit helps students turn their promising ideas into full-fledged businesses,” says Betsy Reid Creedon, TechTown’s director of entrepreneurial services.  “Students work closely with experts, test their ideas in the community and fine-tune their business models–and they get paid to do it.”

Nearly 190 students from 25 colleges and universities have participated to date in DTX Launch, which is entering its seventh year. Select graduates have gone on to enter the TechTown Business Incubation Center, which provides customized business support services.

Graduates of DTX Launch include:

  • MySwimPro, a virtual swim coach named by Apple as the Apple Watch App of the Year in 2016.
  • ToDoolie, an online platform that connects busy homeowners to local students to help with everyday tasks like cleaning, yard work and moving furniture.
  • CityInsight, a company that provides real-time technology to help municipal governments streamline their operations and improve communication with their customers. The company developed the Detroit Water and Sewage Department’s online/mobile Customer Care Portal.
  • EnBiologics, a team of Wayne State biomedical engineering students who are developing a veterinary hydrogel, which is currently in clinical trials.
  • Peerstachio, a peer-to-peer learning and social networking website for undergraduate college students and high school seniors transitioning into college. Students can also connect and build diverse peer-mentor relationships to support them throughout their educational journey.

The 10-week program consists of two weekly sessions from late May-August, as well as substantive work in the field. Participants will receive a stipend of $2,500 per individual (up to $7,500 per team). The program concludes with a showcase where a total of up to $25,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, including a $15,000 grand prize.

DTX Launch Detroit is a program of the Detroit Technology Exchange (DTX), a programmatic partnership between TechTown Detroit, Design Core Detroit, Invest Detroit, Next Energy and Grand Circus, designed to recruit and groom talent for tech entrepreneurship opportunities and convert innovative technologies into Michigan-based startups. It is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Michigan Strategic Fund, The William Davidson Foundation, New Economy Initiative, General Motors and Bank of America.

 

To RSVP for one of the info sessions, visit techtowndetroit.org/dtxinfo

For more information, visit https://techtowndetroit.org/dtx/

 

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TechTown is Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub, with a full suite of programs for both tech and neighborhood small businesses. TechTown works with businesses at all stages, helping startup, emerging and established companies develop, launch and grow.