Key Dates

Summer/Fall 2026

Business Support Includes:

• Ten weeks of in-person sessions facilitated by business development and retail experts
• Participants have the opportunity to pitch for up to $3,000
• All graduates receive post-graduation coaching from the TechTown team for three months

Participants must have the following qualifications:

• Have an e-commerce or home-based business
• Previous retail activity (pop-up or e-commerce transactions)
• Must live in or have a business located 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.

TechTown’s Retail Boot Camp is an intensive, hands-on, 12-week program that prepares serious entrepreneurs to open their brick-and-mortar establishments in Wayne County. The program curriculum is designed to strengthen businesses so they can grow to a permanent location as they strive 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 Mama Coo’s Boutique, Third Wave Music, Plum Health, Breadless,  Flamingo Vintage Detroit, Mature, Mongers’ Provisions, MG Studio, and Spectacle Society. 

What is Covered

During sessions, action steps will be assigned. Discussions include but are not limited to the following topics:

• Developing quality retail operations and routines
• Designing impactful visual merchandising
• Selling through virtual and in-person customer service
• Selecting a point-of-sale and e-commerce system
• Understanding your pricing and inventory mix
• Identifying startup costs and funding sources
• Selecting a permanent location based on market data
• Navigating brick-and-mortar regulations with legal guidance
• Utilizing an architect for the design-build process
• Developing crisis and store management practices

Key Dates

Winter/Spring 2026