TechTown's Retail Boot Camp (RBC) is an intensive, hands-on, 12-week program that prepares serious entrepreneurs for the opening of their brick-and-mortar establishments in Wayne County. The program's curriculum is designed to strengthen businesses so they can grow into permanent locations and thrive in today's retail environment. Retail Boot Camp has gained a reputation for supporting the launch of successful businesses in neighborhood commercial districts, including Mama Coo's Boutique, Third Wave Music, Plum Health, Breadless, Flamingo Vintage Detroit, Mature, MG Studio, Spectacle Society, Alotta Locs, J&T's Kitchen, Genesis Therapeutic Massage & Wellness, Terri's Cakes Detroit, Jessica Blair Beauty, Ice Cream Detroit, Just Elevate Fitness, The Damage Zone, Halie & Co., For the Love of Cheesecake, Konjo Me, Opal Grove, Crummies, Trap Vegan, The Congregation, and T&T Sip & Read.

• Identifying brick-and-mortar startup costs and funding sources
• Strengthening your business model
• Branding & marketing for your retail business
• How to identify the right location
• How to negotiate your lease
• Capital readiness and sales projections
• Developing quality retail operations and routines
• Creating a quality customer experience
• Understanding your pricing and inventory mix
• Pitching your business
• And more...

• 12 weeks of sessions facilitated by business development and retail experts
• Opportunity to pitch for kickstart awards
• Post-graduation 1:1 coaching from a TechTown strategist for up to six months
• Alumni exclusive workshops, events and incubation opportunities

• RBC Showcase Pitch Event - 5/19/26

• Ready to grow into a brick-and-mortar location
• Previous or current retail sales history with this business (retail pop-up or e-commerce transactions, wholesale activity, etc.), industry-related experience, or a well-thought-out or formally written plan to launch a brick-and-mortar business.
• Intention to open their brick-and-mortar in Wayne County

TechTown is 100% committed to connecting all applicants to resources, regardless of program participation. Interested business owners are highly encouraged to complete the application.

There is no fee to apply to the program. The program fee upon acceptance is $499.

TechTown Detroit’s RBC: E-commerce & Home-based Edition is an intensive, ten-week program specifically designed for those operating as pop-ups, online, wholesale or other other retail product-based businesses based in Wayne County or owned by Wayne County residents. 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. Retail Boot Camp has gained a reputation for supporting the launch of successful businesses in neighborhood commercial districts, including Indigo Culinary Co., At My Sister's House, Alora Grove, Preva, Serenityy The Brand, PedalPal, Detroit Berry Company, Midcio, Unik I Am, Epic Infants, Lotusbtr Body Care, Margeaux & Max, Detroit’s Future is Female, Sunshine Handcrafted, Whipped Up Cosmetics, Yara Klaire Book Series, Dolled Up By Darnishous, and Poppa's Hot Sauce.

• Strengthening your business model
• Financial statements and sales projections
• Packaging and pricing
• Building your online presence
• Branding and marketing for your retail business
• Creating a quality customer experience
• Pitching your business
• And more...

• 10 weeks of in-person sessions facilitated by business development and retail experts
• Opportunity to pitch for kickstart awards
• Post-graduation 1:1 coaching from a TechTown strategist for three months
• Alumni exclusive workshops, events and incubation opportunities

• Summer/Fall 2026

• Previous or current retail sales history with this business (retail pop-up or e-commerce transactions, wholesale activity, etc.) and ready to grow the business
• Must live in or primarily operate in Wayne County

TechTown is 100% committed to connecting all applicants to resources, regardless of whether they participate in a program. Interested business owners are highly encouraged to complete the application.

There is no fee to apply to the program. The program fee upon acceptance is $299.