TechTown Detroit

Retail Boot Camp Spring 2026 Showcase
2026-05-19 16:30 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | WSU Industry Innovation Center (I2C), 461 Burroughs St, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Tuesday, May 19 | 4:30 – 8 p.m.

In-person at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center

Join TechTown Detroit to celebrate the hustle and hard work of 15 Retail Boot Camp (RBC) graduates at the program’s 17th cohort showcase.
The SHOP at Showcase starts at 4:30 p.m., offering an opportunity to meet, shop and sample goods and services from the hottest new businesses in Detroit retail while enjoying light refreshments. At 6 p.m., participants will pitch their business on stage and answer questions from the judges. See how these businesses will make their visions a reality with what they learned during RBC.
Five standouts will each win a $5,000 Kickstart Award, and one People’s Choice Award winner, chosen BY YOU during the event, will receive $1,000!
Make a donation with your RSVP to the Kickstart Award fund and know that all graduates will continue their journey after RBC with TechTown at their side.
Event timeline:
4:30 – 5:45 PM: The SHOP at Showcase and light refreshments
6 – 8 PM: Pitches + Q&A | People’s Choice Voting | Judges’ Deliberation | Winners Announced
For years, TechTown has helped RBC graduates open competitive retail businesses in a fast-changing environment. Now, it is more important than ever that we double down on what we know works: inclusive educational opportunities that help rebuild our economy on a foundation of equity that gives everyone a pathway to succeed.

AI and Automation: Build Night
2026-05-26 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-23 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-20 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-17 17:30 - 21:00, 2026-10-27 17:30 - 21:00 | WSU Industry Innovation Center (I2C), 461 Burroughs St, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Join us with Detroit’s builders for an intensive hands-on session where you’ll learn practical AI and automation, build working prototypes with expert mentors, and demo what you shipped by the end of the night.
What is Build Night?
TechTown’s AI and Automation Build Nights are a monthly series designed for beginners, founders, and builders who want to move beyond theory and actually ship something. Whether you’re a starting founder building your next product, a developer learning new tools, or someone just curious about AI then this is your night to experiment, collaborate, and create something real.
No pitch decks. No talking about building. Just build!
Who should attend?

Beginners with no coding experience (we provide templates and guided support)
Founders building products who need mentor help to ship an MVP feature
Developers wanting to learn AI tools while building with experts
Product builders looking to automate workflows and operations
Anyone curious about AI who wants hands-on experience

What you will leave with:

Hands-on mentorship from industry experts
Free tool credits (Lovable, Replit, Zapier, Make, and more)
A working prototype or automation by end of night
Food and refreshments provided
Application pathway for continued TechTown support
Connections to Detroit’s builder and founder community
Demo time to showcase your work and get feedback

Come connect with fellow founders, curious people, exchange ideas, and build relationships with people who understand the challenges and excitement of building something new!
Join us every month for our AI and Automation: Build Night and become part of a thriving tech ecosystem. Reserve your spot today!

The SHOP at TechTown
2026-05-27 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-24 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-07-29 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-26 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-09-30 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-28 11:00 - 14:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Experience the best of Detroit’s small business community at The SHOP, TechTown Detroit’s monthly retail pop-up marketplace! Join us in person on the last Wednesday of every month to explore unique products, connect with local entrepreneurs and uncover your next favorite find. Mark your calendar and join us for a vibrant shopping experience celebrating Detroit’s small business community!
Interested in participating in The SHOP? Submit an interest form today!
The SHOP at TechTown is made possible with support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Wells Fargo.

Financial and Sales Forecasting
2026-05-27 11:30 - 13:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Wednesday, May 27 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This session will be held in-person at TechTown Detroit. Registration opens at 11:00 a.m., with the session starting promptly at 11:30 a.m.

This intensive, hands-on workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs gain a clearer understanding of the numbers that drive their business and use that insight to make more informed, confident decisions. Participants will explore the differences between sales projections and financial forecasts, as well as both top-down and bottom-up forecasting approaches, to better understand how to plan for growth and sustainability.
Through guided examples, interactive discussion, and hands-on worksheets, attendees will also work through break-even analysis step by step and apply key concepts in real time. By the end of the session, complex financial ideas will feel more accessible and actionable, equipping participants with practical tools they can immediately use for stronger, more strategic business planning.

Downtown Detroit Winter Markets Vendor Information Session
2026-05-27 18:00 - 19:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Wednesday, May 27 | 6 p.m.

This information session will take place via Zoom.

Are you a Detroit-area small business owner? Have you thought about applying for the Downtown Detroit Markets, but aren’t sure if your business is a good fit or ready for the experience? Would you like to know more about what it takes to be a successful vendor in the Downtown Detroit Markets?
If so, register for this free info session with TechTown Detroit to learn more about the Downtown Detroit Markets. We will provide pertinent information and answers to your questions, so that you can successfully complete your application for the Downtown Detroit Markets.
TechTown is happy to partner on the 2026 Downtown Detroit Markets alongside Bedrock, Downtown Detroit Partnership and the Gilbert Family Foundation.

AI & Automation: Build Night 101
2026-06-02 17:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-04 17:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-10 17:30 - 20:30, 2026-10-15 17:30 - 20:30 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Join us for our AI Build Night 101! These are beginner-friendly, hands-on experience designed for exploring new tools, professionals looking to streamline their work, or simply someone curious about what AI can actually do beyond the hype. This session is built for those who have heard the buzz, maybe experimented with a few tools, but still feel unsure about how to apply AI and Automation in a meaningful, practical way. Instead of overwhelming you with technical jargon or abstract concepts, we focus on breaking everything down into clear, simple ideas you can immediately understand and use.
Throughout the session, we take a practical, step-by-step approach to demystifying AI and Automation. You’ll learn what these tools actually are (and aren’t), how they fit into real workflows, and where they can create the most impact in your day-to-day work. We’ll explore accessible, no-code and low-code tools that allow you to build without needing a technical background, and we’ll show you how small automations can lead to significant time savings and increased productivity. Participants won’t just sit and listen because you’ll be actively building. Through guided exercises and real-world examples, you’ll start creating simple automations, experimenting with AI-powered tools, and thinking through how these solutions can apply to your own goals. Whether it’s automating repetitive administrative tasks, organizing and analyzing information more efficiently, improving customer interactions, or quickly prototyping a new idea, you’ll walk away having already taken action.
Beyond the tools themselves, this Build Night 101 is a beginner course built to build confidence and shift your mindset. AI and Automation can feel intimidating at first, but once you understand the fundamentals, they become powerful, approachable resources that anyone can use. By the end of the session, you’ll not only have a stronger understanding of what’s possible, but also a clearer sense of how to continue exploring and building on your own. Come ready to learn by doing, ask questions, experiment freely, and connect with others who are on a similar journey. You’ll leave with practical knowledge, tangible progress, and a solid foundation to start integrating AI and Automation into your work, your projects, and your everyday life.
Join us every month for our AI Build Night 101 and become part of our ecosystem. Reserve your spot today!

First Thursdays & Coworking Concert Series
2026-06-04 17:30 - 21:30 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Thursday, June 4 | 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

This event will be held in-person at TechTown Detroit. Registration opens at 5:15 p.m.

Detroit has never had anything quite like this. And we think it’s about time.
This June, First Thursdays becomes the home of the Co-working Concert Series, a brand new TechTown experience built around a simple idea: the people building this city’s economy and the people shaping its culture belong in the same room.
The Co-working Concert Series exists to spotlight the depth and breadth of entrepreneurship and innovation in Detroit. Tech founders, small business owners, artists, creatives. We see it all as one ecosystem. The intersectionality of the work is what makes this city special, and the series is our way of putting that on full display.
What you’ll gain

New connections that actually stick. A room full of Detroit founders, small business owners, creatives, and curious connectors. The kind of conversations that turn into collaborations, customers, or your next hire.
A wider view of Detroit’s ecosystem. Meet people building outside your usual circle. Tech founders trading notes with visual artists, small business owners swapping stories with musicians. That’s where the good ideas live.
A first look at Detroit talent. The Co-working Concert Series gives you a front-row seat to artists shaping Detroit’s sound right now, in an intimate setting you won’t get at a bigger venue.
A night that actually feels like Detroit. Good people, good music, good food. No pitch decks required.

For the launch, we’ve got Detroit’s own Verzell & the Ego Trip taking the desk stage.
Agenda

5:15 PM | Registration Opens
5:30 – 7:30 PM | Networking, connecting, and spontaneous collisions
7:30 – 9:30 PM | Verzell & the Ego Trip, live (think NPR Tiny Desk meets Detroit)

Refreshments and lite bites for both halves of the night.
About Verzell & the Ego Trip
Verzell is a Detroit-born rock and soul artist with deep blues roots and a falsetto that sticks with you. His influences run from the Rolling Stones to Lenny Kravitz, and his sets with the Ego Trip have built a real following across Michigan.
Cost
Free to attend. If the music moves you, tips for the band are strongly encouraged.
Vendor Opportunities
Each month, we spotlight up-and-coming business owners to share what they do and inspire others in the community. Interested in being featured as a business spotlight participant? Complete the interest form here!
Join us at First Thursdays and become part of a thriving community. Reserve your spot today!
The Coworking Concert Series is in partnership with:

Urban Organic
Detroit is Different
Miss Eva’s Detroit

First Thursdays is made possible with support from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
Reserve your spot today!

Detroit Elevate: Learn & Scale Summit
2026-06-08 09:00 - 16:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Meet with the brightest minds to hear their inspiring success stories. A spark is all it takes to ignite your elementary ideas and convert them into a working success.Also help us mobilize ongoing projects by sourcing for or contributing to the foundation. Participate in various contests in different categories and walk away with grand prizes.

Join us and meet other like-minded attendees and grow your network!

Why attend?

Detroit Elevate is intended to support growth-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 to enhance operations, improve customer experience, and expand services.
The Detroit Elevate: Thrive & Scale workshop is strongly encouraged for anyone interested in submitting an official contest application. In addition, this workshop is designed to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and helpful resources to help you scale your business now.
Agenda
9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM: Detroit Elevate Overview & Cohort Application Process
9:20 AM – 10:00 AM: Keynote – Marc Howland
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: “Are You Ready for It?”
Speakers:
Marc Howland, Breadless
Leslie Vargas
April Anderson, Good Cakes & Bakes
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM: Cultivating Relationships & Communication
Speaker: Faris Alami, International Strategic Management (ISM)
11:30 AM – 11:55 AM: Building a Lasting Legacy Business
Speaker: Lauren Stovall & Co.
11:55 AM – 12:00 PM: Break
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Money Matters Workshop
Speakers:
Tina Williams, QT Business Solutions
Arlena Minter, Michigan Women Forward
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Resource Fair & Networking
Featured Resource Partners:
• Ops+ Powered by TechTown
• QT Business Solutions
• International Strategic Management (ISM)
• Social Solace
• Michigan Women Forward
• Detroit Legacy

Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition Information Session
2026-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Tuesday, June 09 | 6 p.m.

This information session will take place virtually via Zoom.

TechTown Detroit’s Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition is an intensive, ten-week program specifically designed for e-commerce, pop-up and home-based retail 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.
Information sessions provide an opportunity to learn about the program, who is a good fit and what to expect during the application process.
Applications open Tuesday, June 8 and close Thursday, July 9.
Have questions about Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition? Please contact carrie@techtowndetroit.org.
Visit techtowndetroit.org/rbc for more information and key dates on the Fall 2026 Retail Boot Camp: E-Commerce & Home-based Edition program.
Retail Boot Camp is made possible with support from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Orsa Foundation, Huntington, & MEDC.

2026 Detroit Elevate: Program Overview & Application Review
2026-06-10 13:00 - 14:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Why attend?

Interested in applying for the Detroit Elevate 2026 Cohort? Join us for an informational session to learn more about the program, review the application process, explore eligibility requirements, and get your questions answered. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into the cohort experience and determine if Detroit Elevate is the right fit for your business.
www.DetroitElevate.org

Open City: Oh Shit, Now What
2026-06-11 17:00 - 19:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Thursday, June 11 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This session will be held in-person at MoonDog Cafe. Registration opens at 4:45 p.m., with the session starting promptly at 5:00 p.m.

Every entrepreneur knows the moment. The deal falls through. Your key hire quits. The numbers don’t add up, and suddenly the plan you were so sure of is in pieces on the floor. Oh shit, now what? Reid Hoffman once said, “An entrepreneur is someone who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down.” Mary Kay Ash put it another way: “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do.”
Join us on Thursday, June 11 to hear from local entrepreneurs who’ve been there. They’ll talk about what happened when everything went sideways and how they figured out the next move anyway. The panel will share how they kept their heads under pressure, made tough calls without all the answers, and turned a crisis into the moment that pushed their businesses and themselves forward.
AGENDA:
4:45- Registration
5:00- Networking
5:30- Panel Begins
6:30- Panel Ends
7:00- Event Ends
By attending, you’ll walk away with:

Real tactics for steadying your business when something breaks, drawn from people who’ve lived through it
A clearer sense of how to make decisions when you don’t have all the information
Honest perspective on when to push through, when to pivot, and how to tell the difference
New connections with other Detroit founders who understand what you’re going through
The reassurance that hitting a wall doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means you’re actually building something

Our Panel:
Lester Gouvia

Owner & Chef
Norma & Les LLC

Martha Rosales

Founder
Nuvo Cabinets & Countertops

Mildred Palmer

Co-Owner
F & M Palmco

Scott Boateng

Founder
PREVA Body

Start Studio Lecture Series
2026-06-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-19 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-16 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-21 17:30 - 19:30 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Join us for our Start Studio Lecture Series! An energizing monthly workshop designed to empower aspiring and early-stage tech founders throughout 2026. Each session brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem partners for a hands on learning, thoughtful discussion, and practical skill-building rooted in the realities of launching and growing a tech-based venture.
Every month features a unique workshop led by a different expert facilitator, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights across a wide range of topics such as customer discovery and prototyping to fundraising, product strategy, and founder resilience. Whether you’re shaping an early idea or preparing to scale, you’ll find guidance that meets you where you are.
This lecture series is more than education it’ll become a community anchor.
Come connect with fellow founders, exchange ideas, and build relationships with people who understand the challenges and excitement of building something new. Each session also highlights emerging founders in the Start Studio community, offering inspiration and real-world examples of entrepreneurial growth.
Join us every month for our Start Studio Lecture Series and become part of a thriving tech ecosystem. Reserve your spot today!

Westland Business Summit
2026-06-23 08:30 - 16:00 | 36300 Warren Rd, Westland, Westland, Michigan – 48185, 36300 Warren Rd, Westland, MI, 48185, United States
Tuesday, June 23 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This session will be held in-person at Westland City Hall. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., with the session starting promptly at 9:00 a.m.

The Westland Business Summit is a dynamic full-day event designed to empower local business owners, entrepreneurs, startups, and aspiring business leaders with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to grow and succeed. Through engaging breakout sessions, expert-led panel discussions, and interactive workshops, attendees will gain valuable insights on topics such as marketing, finance, leadership, innovation, and business development from experienced professionals and industry leaders.
In addition to educational programming, the summit will feature a community resource fair for participants to explore resource vendor booths, network with community partners, and enjoy complimentary food truck samples. Our goal is for attendees to leave inspired and equipped with actionable strategies, meaningful partnerships, and valuable community connections that will help move their businesses and ideas forward.

Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition Information Session
2026-06-23 18:00 - 19:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Tuesday, June 23 | 6 p.m.

This information session will take place virtually via Zoom.

TechTown Detroit’s Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition is an intensive, ten-week program specifically designed for e-commerce, pop-up and home-based retail 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.
Information sessions provide an opportunity to learn about the program, who is a good fit and what to expect during the application process.
Applications open Tuesday, June 8 and close Thursday, July 9.
Have questions about Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition? Please contact carrie@techtowndetroit.org.
Visit techtowndetroit.org/rbc for more information and key dates on the Fall 2026 Retail Boot Camp: E-Commerce & Home-based Edition program.
Retail Boot Camp is made possible with support from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Orsa Foundation, Huntington & MEDC.

Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition Information Session
2026-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs Street, Detroit, MI, 48202, United States
Tuesday, July 07 | 6 p.m.

This information session will take place in-person at TechTown Detroit.

TechTown Detroit’s Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition is an intensive, ten-week program specifically designed for e-commerce, pop-up and home-based retail 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.
Information sessions provide an opportunity to learn about the program, who is a good fit and what to expect during the application process.
Applications open Tuesday, June 8 and close Tuesday, July 9.
Have questions about Retail Boot Camp: E-commerce & Home-based Edition? Please contact TechTown Retail Strategist Carrie Vestrand at carrie@techtowndetroit.org.
Visit techtowndetroit.org/rbc for more information and key dates on the Fall 2026 Retail Boot Camp: E-Commerce & Home-based Edition program.
Retail Boot Camp is made possible with support from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Orsa Foundation, Huntington & MEDC.
