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.
Small Business Services
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.
How TechTown Supports Tech Startups
TechTown Start Studio
Start Studio is TechTown’s answer to Detroit’s unmet demand for idea-stage tech business assistance. Pointing to books and tools and giving advice isn’t enough. Learning how to actually validate a business idea is a daunting and lonely proposition that takes our most precious of resources: time.
TechTown Capital Program
Recognizing that funding is often a barrier to growth, we are committed to providing content, resources and tangible tools to access funding that will assist in propelling business for our clients and community in a valuable way.
TechTown Incubator
TechTown’s Incubator program is an intensive 30-week business development experience designed to help Detroit-based tech founders fortify their businesses into sustainable, investment-ready companies.
STEEP
STEEP: STEM Entrepreneurial Excellence Program – A business incubator program supporting the need for greater inclusion of underrepresented women in STEM and STEM-enabled businesses
Open Office Hours
Want guidance on which TechTown program is right for you? Are you looking for feedback on a business idea need to meet with an expert or TechTown staff member? Click here to learn more and get the conversation started by scheduling an Open Office Hour appointment.
Ask an Expert
Are you looking for specialized support for your tech startup or neighborhood small business? Members of TechTown’s Professional Service Network provide free, 25-minute consultations to help you with growing your business. Our Experts have a range of skills and specialties that they’re excited to share with you.
TechTown Training Series
The Training Series focuses on themed monthly, on-demand workshops designed for entrepreneurs to view at a time most convenient for you. Topics range from marketing to customer development, financial planning, HR, and more!
How TechTown Supports Small Businesses
Small Business Support
313 STRONG is a customized support program for brick-and-mortar small businesses in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck neighborhoods.
Our staff of passionate, skilled professionals provides one-on-one assistance to stabilize, adapt, and remain responsive during COVID-19.
Retail Boot Camp
At the heart of our Retail Services program is our Retail Boot Camp, an intensive, 10-week program that prepares serious entrepreneurs for the opening of their brick-and-mortar establishments in Detroit.
If you are preparing to open a small business in the city in the next six to 12 months, this is the program for you!
Virtual Retail Pop-Ups
TechTown’s Retail Services help promising retail entrepreneurs operating the necessary omni-channel retail location of today and tomorrow. We provide online pop-up opportunities plus customized coaching and mini boot camp workshops.
Open Office Hours + Ask an Expert
Would you like to connect with an expert in our Professional Services Network (PSN) or get an opinion on your big idea? Could you use some direction on how to secure funding, line up resources or make connections in Detroit’s small business network? Fill out the form below to get the conversation started with a member of our team and schedule an Open Office Hour appointment.
Open Office Hours are available to both tech startups and neighborhood small businesses at all stages. At your Open Office Hour, a TechTown team member will discuss your goals and direct you to the appropriate programs, resources and experts in our Professional Services Network, based on your particular business needs.
These may be TechTown services or programs, they may be other resources within Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, or a combination of both. Our goal is to match you with the resources that best fit your needs at this stage in your startup or small business’ growth.
How Office Hours Work
Step 1
Fill out a short intake questionnaire.
Step 2
Schedule an open office hour appointment with a TechTown staff member.
Step 3
Meet with a TechTown staff member.
Step 4
Get matched with programs, resources and experts in our PSN and Ask an Expert programs.