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.
Support for Local Businesses
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 Business Incubation Center
TechTown Business Incubation Center (TBIC) provides customized support based on each tech startup’s unique business needs. Ideally, startups entering incubation have a business model based on demonstrated customer need and a technology in the early prototype stage, or will have graduated from a tech-focused accelerator program.
DTX Launch Detroit Student Accelerator
An intensive 10-week summer accelerator for college students and recent graduates aspiring to launch a technology startup. Participants will receive a stipend of $2,500 per individual (up to $7,500 per venture team) to test out their entrepreneurial dreams.
DTX D-Venture + DTX Fellows
The D-Venture entrepreneur-in-residence (EIR) program seats entrepreneurial-minded professionals to mine the underutilized and/or underdeveloped intellectual property developed in Detroit. The DTX Fellows program places high-quality, mid-level talent into Detroit’s startups and entrepreneurial support organizations.
Open Office Hours + Ask an Expert
Labs 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.
How TechTown Supports Local Businesses
Local Business Support
SWOT City is a customized support program for brick-and-mortar small businesses in Detroit neighborhoods.
Our staff of passionate, skilled professionals provides one-on-one assistance to help launch, stabilize and grow local businesses and strengthen neighborhood commercial districts.
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!
Retail Pop-Ups in Detroit
TechTown’s Retail Services help promising retail entrepreneurs prepare for the launch of their brick-and-mortar businesses. We provide a range of 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.