Search results

Detroit Means Business, a coalition of business support organizations and government agencies that was established to help small businesses in Detroit, has opened registration for its second annual Small Business Summit, taking place on Tuesday, May 2 at Ford Field. The summit, held in partnership with Huntington Bank and New Economy Initiative Detroit, is designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs take their business to the next level. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from successful business owners, network with fellow entrepreneurs and gain valuable insights on how to grow their business. Organizers are also planning a few surprise announcements including the launch of a new resource to help Detroit small business owners sharpen their entrepreneurial skills. Whether one is just starting out or have been in the business for years, the summit is a must-attend event. Participants will leave with a wealth of knowledge and actionable strategies to scale their business. When registering, please only register for one (1) ticket type that is applicable to you: Detroit Small Business Owner (non-profit organizations/501c3 not eligible) Small Business Support Dignitaries and Honorees DEGC Staff Speakers, Moderators, and Panelists If you are unsure which ticket type you should register for, please contact detroitmeansbusiness@degc.org. If you register for more than one ticket, any others registered for will be canceled. Attendance is free and space is limited. Register today at: bit.ly/DMBweb

Motor City Match requests two types of service providers: Technical Assistance Providers and Design & Architectural Service Providers. Technical Assistance Providers Businesses that apply to become a Motor City Match Technical Assistance service provider must submit scopes of work and rates for specific services in these business service categories. Legal Services Accounting and Financial Planning Services Marketing and Branding Services Business Planning & Business Consulting Technology Services Pre-Construction Services & Project Management Learn more about Small Business Technical Assistance Services RFQ here. Design & Architectural Service Providers Businesses that apply to become a Motor City Match Design & Architectural Service Provider must submit proof of qualifications and examples of completed work. Design awardees solicit bids from qualified providers based on the scope of work specific to their project. Requested Architectural Services: Architecture and design services Building condition assessments Feasibility Analysis Permitting and zoning review Project estimates Project management Building permitting Construction Administration Energy Efficiency / Green Building Practices Learn more about Small Business Design & Architectural RFQ here.

Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II recently joined Michigan Women Forward (MWF), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Huntington National Bank and the Ballmer Group to announce the launch of a new $10 million microbusiness loan program for women and entrepreneurs of color in Michigan. The Michigan Economic Opportunity Fund will lend to individuals who don’t qualify for traditional loans through banks or other financial institutions, providing opportunities for those who are socially and economically disadvantaged due to a lack of access to capital and credit. “Starting and growing a business takes grit, courage and tenacity – and here in Michigan, that runs deep in our DNA,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., MEDC CEO. “By taking a truly Team Michigan approach, this new fund will facilitate more risk-takers across the state in acquiring access to the capital and support they need to be successful and build a future right here in Michigan. Work remains to aid microbusinesses, but this is a significant and praiseworthy start.” Entrepreneurs can apply for up to $50,000 in loans through this program. With the average loan managed by MWF at $25,000, the Michigan Economic Opportunity Fund will be able to assist approximately 400 entrepreneurs. Last year, the nonprofit organization provided 88 loans for $2.456 million invested in primarily women-owned businesses. Women, veterans and entrepreneurs of color can apply for Michigan Economic Opportunity Fund loans by visiting www.miwf.org. Read more at MEDC.

Interested in applying for Round 23 of Motor City Match but unsure where to begin? Join Motor City Match Monday, March 20, from 6-8 PM for an in-person information session at the Northwest Activities Center. This is your chance to learn more about the program, guidelines, and the five tracks available to apply to: Plan, Develop, Design, Cash, and Restore. When: March 20, 6-8 PM Where: 18100 Meyers Road, Detroit 48235 You can register for this free info session here

The first Business Improvement Zone BIZ Connect of the year should prove an exciting one for Detroit-based businesses. Happening on March 9 at the GM Renaissance Center’s Wintergarden, this BIZ Connect will be filled with representatives from major events happening in Downtown Detroit throughout the summer and fall months. Confirmed speakers include Visit Detroit, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Detroit Police Department, and the City of Detroit Department of Homeland Security. Visit Detroit, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix and the Downtown Detroit Partnership will discuss how to leverage upcoming events to benefit your businesses, while the Detroit Police and City of Detroit Department of Homeland Security will share how you can connect to its new emergency communications system. The Business Improvement Zone will be hosting two sessions with the same content to accommodate various business schedules. These sessions, which are free and include light refreshments, will be from 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Those wishing to attend should reserve their spot ASAP, as seating is limited. Reserve your spot now.

Detroit Means Business Small Business Owner Advocate Danielle North believes the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the crisis status of Michigan small businesses. According to North, businesses need something she has coined "tangible support," and the pandemic has helped show how to offer it. Now, it is up to local, state and the federal government, along with other organizations to define and implement this tangible support. "The COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis, and Detroit’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, along with our state and federal governments, did an amazing job. The culture of support for small business owners shifted dramatically. It’s like the entire world realized that not only might major corporations need help, but small businesses might shut down, without any way to bounce back." For more, visit the Detroit Free Press.

Motor City Match 12th round cash awardee Baobab Fare has made national news again, following chef and co-owner Hamissi Mamba's impressive win on Food Network's "Chopped." Mamba competed against three other chefs during the hour-long show and took the top spot, which includes a $10,000 prize. The chef will donate the cash prize to Freedom House Detroit and Burundi kids. "This was not a choice for us to come to the United States,” said Mamba in a media alert about the win. “It was about survival. And after years of being here, of building a community space through Baobab Fare, Detroit Ni Nyumbani. That means and translates to ‘Detroit is Home,’ and it is so important to us that we give back to the people, and the community that has given us so much love and support over the years." For more, visit The Detroit News.

February 22, 2023 (DETROIT) – The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation has announced Dr. Marlo Rencher as the first president of its small business initiative, Detroit Means Business (DMB), a coalition of private, public, and philanthropic partners dedicated to meeting the needs of Detroit-based small businesses. Dr. Rencher, a native Detroiter and serial entrepreneur, is a long-time advocate of entrepreneurship and inclusion within Detroit’s small business community. “Dr. Rencher is well-known and respected within many circles of Detroit’s small business community. She brings a strategic mindset that will help DMB anticipate future opportunities and chart a course that will enable the team to thrive in our rapidly changing environment,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson. As president, Dr. Rencher will provide direction in delivering DMB’s strategic agenda while building capacity within the organization. Additionally, Dr. Rencher will provide leadership in strengthening relationships with Detroit’s small and mid-sized businesses, supporting the needs of the city’s small business ecosystem, and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for local entrepreneurs. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to join this esteemed organization and be part of a community of forward-thinking leaders dedicated to driving innovation and progress for Detroit entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Rencher. “Together, we will unlock new opportunities and achieve greater heights in shaping the future of our city’s business community.” Dr. Rencher’s hiring comes as the DMB, which was founded to support local small businesses during the height of the pandemic, seeks to elevate its programming following an influx of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). “ARPA funding will help DMB carry out the Mayor and City Council’s vision of supporting small businesses who suffered the negative impacts of COVID-19. As those of us on the front line know, many of our small businesses are still struggling to recover,” said Nicole Sherard-Freeman, group executive for jobs, economy and Detroit at Work. “Dr. Rencher has a track record of leading systems and the interventions needed for small businesses to do more than recover. She’s the right leader to help us create conditions in which Detroit small businesses can thrive.” Dr. Rencher joins Detroit Means Business after serving as senior director of technology-based programs at TechTown Detroit. Here, she focused on developing new, inclusive, outcomes-based initiatives that break down discriminatory barriers within the start-up community to foster innovation, creativity and success. Prior to that, she worked as vice president of innovation, entrepreneurship and diversity at Cleary University. Dr. Rencher is also the co-founder of Commune Angels, an inclusive community of angel investors. She is a Michigan State University graduate with a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in business and organizational anthropology from Wayne State University. In 2021, she was named one of Michigan’s 100 Most Influential Women by Crain’s Detroit Business. “Dr. Rencher is a fearless advocate for Detroit’s small businesses. Her experience as a business owner, innovator, angel investor and problem solver is unmatched,” said Walker-Miller Energy Services Founder and CEO of Carla Walker-Miller, who serves as DMB’s executive committee chair. “Under her leadership and informed by the voices of Detroit’s small businesses, we will meet the vision of DMB to scale the ecosystem.” ### About Detroit Means Business (DMB): Detroit Means Business is a coalition of business support organizations and government agencies that was established to help small businesses in Detroit, Michigan. The coalition’s primary objective is to provide small business owners with the resources and support they need to survive and thrive in Detroit’s economy. This includes access to financing, training, technical assistance and other resources. About Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC): Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is a non-profit organization that serves as Detroit’s lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction and economic development. DEGC is led by a board comprised of business, civic and community leaders. Its staff provides services for key public authorities that facilitate incentives and other forms of financing for projects that bring new jobs and investment to the City. DEGC also manages important initiatives to support small businesses and grow neighborhood commercial corridors. DEGC is dedicated to inclusive development and access to economic opportunity.

Small businesses have been leading the way in job growth in Michigan. Michigan's minimum wage rises above $10 starting this year; the increase from $9.87 to $10.10 was set by the "Michigan Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018" and is part of multiple annual increases. Marick Masters, a professor of business at Wayne State University says this raise should be manageable when it comes to small businesses in the state. "Most recent year, you had about 170,000 person increase in the number of employees in small businesses in Michigan. So that's something you want to sustain, and you wouldn't want to set the minimum wage perhaps at a level that would detract from that," says Masters. Read more at CBS Detroit.

Need to cross more items off your holiday shopping list? Why not shop local and support local businesses in Detroit? Detroit Means Business helped to create an online directory tool, Shop Small Detroit, that features a map and filters that allow shoppers to search categories, including business types, neighborhoods, communities of interest, discounts and promotions, and by language. While appearing on “Live In The D,” Detroit Means Business, Program Director Alondra Carter-Alvizo, highlighted various products from Detroit businesses. Watch the segment over at Clickondetroit.com.

Detroit Soul, a farm-to-table soul food restaurant in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood on the city’s east side, celebrated the grand opening of its second location with community members this week! The business, marking the 142nd brick-and-mortar opened by Motor City Match, sources food locally to fill a community void for healthier food options and family-friendly dining. “In opening the location of this soul food restaurant, we aspire to build more community, economic growth and employment within the area,” said Detroit Soul co-founder and Detroit Means Business Small Business Advocates (SBOA) member Jerome Brown. Brown and his brother, Samuel Van Buren, were driven by faith to leverage their corporate careers and launch a business aligned with their passion for homemade southern-style cooking and community. Read more at degc.org/newsroom.

Motor City Match, a program helping Detroiters bring their dreams of entrepreneurship to reality, is accepting applications for its Round 22 grant awards. The program will award a total of $1.25 million to up to 40 Detroit-based entrepreneurs interested in opening a new brick-and-mortar location or business owners looking for improvements and investments to their existing space. Applications are being accepted from December 1 to January 15, 2023, and can be found at https://apply.motorcitymatch.com/submit. The application period was extended by 15 days due to the holiday season. Program officials will also host informational sessions for interested applicants in the coming weeks. Learn more at degc.org/newsroom.