Overview + Programs UPDATED JANUARY 10, 2014
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TechTown Detroit Overview + Programs UPDATED JANUARY 10, 2014 440 BURROUGHS STREET • DETROIT, MI 48202 • 313.879.5250 • techtowndetroit.org WE MEAN BUSINESS We are Detroit’s business growth center. We help create and grow companies. We incubate and accelerate technology and innovation. We are engines of economic growth and catalysts of urban revitalization. We are TechTown. TechTown is the most established business incubator and accelerator in Detroit – founded specifically to develop and grow sustainable, technology-based businesses. Today our work supports industry verticals that are specific to the region’s inherent assets and address the city’s identified needs, supporting not only tech-based businesses but also retail and neighborhood enterprises for a more holistic approach to economic development. TechTown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is located within the Woodward Technology Corridor SmartZone. OUR BUSINESS UNITS OUR BUILDING & PROGRAMS More than 50 businesses call our historic building home. Some are clients or alumni, others are businesses unaffiliated Labs: For high-potential, tech-centric startups with our programs but still drawn to our facility’s unique Venture Accelerator – highly competitive, boot-camp amenities, flexible lease terms and supportive community style program helps show entrepreneurs how to turn their of like-minded peers. early stage technology-based startups into sustainable, The 140,000-square-foot structure was designed by famed market-ready businesses Detroit architect Albert Kahn in 1927. It was first a service Detroit Technology Exchange (DTX) – programmatic department for Pontiac then later became the Chevrolet partnership between TechTown, Bizdom, Invest Detroit and Creative Services building. The Corvette was designed on the Detroit Creative Corridor Center; offerings include a boot the third floor and auto show displays were built here as well. camp for college students and recent grads, an entrepreneur- Today we offer a range of spaces for lease, including small in-residence program and a fellowship program offices, office suites and wet labs. As a Biobanking Center of Excellence, we’re proud to house operations such as National Blocks: For retail entrepreneurs & neighborhood enterprises Institutes of Health-funded Perinatology Research Branch. In late 2013, we’ll offer membership-based co-working space, Retail Boot Camp – competitive, highly customized program as well as rentable event space. prepares serious entrepreneurs with strong retail concepts for the successful launch of their Detroit business SWOT City – delivers TechTown acceleration services to OUR INVESTORS small businesses in underserved neighborhoods through partnerships with community and economic development organizations • New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan • American Reinvestment and Recovery Act • City of Detroit OUR HISTORY • Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan We were founded in 2000 to help stimulate the local • Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation economy and further economic diversification efforts • The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation by serving technology-based businesses, including • Hudson-Webber Foundation university spin outs. • Michigan Economic Development Corporation Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System and The Kresge Foundation General Motors Co. served as our founding partners. • Start-up funding came from a public and private coalition • Wayne County with investment totaling approximately $35 million. • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development techtowndetroit.org VENTURE ACCELERATOR LABS The Labs Venture Accelerator isn’t for the faint-hearted. IMPORTANT DATES This intense, fast-paced business accelerator program will show you Jan. 13: Spring session applications open how to turn your early stage technology startup into a market-ready March 7: Spring session applications close business. Upon graduation from the 12-week program, select startups April 5: Spring session begins may be invited to enter incubation at TechTown Detroit. June 25: Showcase STRUCTURE TAKEAWAYS • Curriculum based on The Startup • Test business concepts Owner’s Manual, a step-by-step • Explore markets business development guide written by famed serial entrepreneurs • Develop a business model Steve Blank and Bob Dorf • Find potential customers • Enrolled startups meet regularly • Align with partners for facilitated sessions • Develop a pitch for your venture • Time outside of classes will be spent conducting customer discovery for validation TARGET TECHNOLOGIES • Program culminates with a showcase, • Advanced automotive where startups pitch to industry • Advanced computing experts, local stakeholders, and potential partners and investors • Advanced electronic devices • Select startups may be invited to • Advanced manufacturing enter incubation upon program • Advanced materials completion • Biotech • Clean technologies, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS alternative energy Engineering • Technology-based and -enabled • startups • Medical devices • Located or willing to locate in Southeast Michigan • Teams of at least two are encouraged, but individuals will be considered • Ability to commit at least 20 hours per week outside of the class on customer discovery and other assignments Apply today! [email protected] techtowndetroit.org/ventureaccelerator Launch Detroit is a highly competitive, 10-week summer accelerator for college students and recent graduates aspiring IMPORTANT DATES to launch a technology startup. Those accepted to participate Jan. 2: Application period opens receive an entrepreneurial stipend of $2,500 per individual March 14: Application period ends (up to $7,500 per venture team). May 28: Launch Detroit begins Aug. 1: Showcase Launch Detroit is a Detroit Technology Exchange (DTX) program, a partnership between TechTown Detroit, Bizdom, Invest Detroit and the Detroit Creative Corridor Center. It is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Michigan Strategic Fund and the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan. STRUCTURE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS • CurriculumbasedonThe Startup • Undergraduateandgraduatestudents, Owner’s Manual,astep-by-step orrecentgraduatesfromanyMichigan businessdevelopmentguidewritten university,seekingtolauncha byfamedserialentrepreneurs technology-basedbusiness SteveBlankandBobDorf • Teamsofatleasttwoarerequired • Enrolledteamswillbegivenaccessto • Full-timecommitmentfor10weeks co-workingspaceatTechTown • Weeklyworkshopsand one-on-onecoaching CURRICULUM • Timeoutsideofworkshops willbespentpursuingcustomer • Valuepropositions validationandacceptance • Customersegments • Programculminateswithashowcase, • Distributionchannels wherestartupspitchtoindustry Customerrelationships experts,localstakeholders,and • potentialpartnersandinvestors • Revenuestreams • Partnerships • Resources PROGRAM WILL COVER • Activitiesandcosts Searchingforabusinessmodel • • Pitchpractice • Findingtherightproduct/marketfit • Acquisitionofnecessaryresources • Obtainingfirstcustomers • Developingafundingstrategy Apply today! [email protected] techtowndetroit.org/launchdetroit RETAIL BOOT CAMP BLOCKS The Blocks Retail Boot Camp isn’t for the faint of heart. This competitive, highly customized program will prepare serious entrepreneurs with strong retail concepts for the successful launch of their Detroit business. HOW IT WORKS WHAT WE COVER • Entrepreneurs meet once a week • Choosing the right location for workshops and mentoring Merchandising sessions facilitated by business • and retail experts • Sound fiscal management • Detroit-specific topics are the • Customer service focus (e.g. introductions to select neighborhoods and key • Marketing and branding stakeholders, local opportunities • Government regulations and resources) and processes • Program concludes with a showcase • Taxes and insurance where participants pitch their businesses to a panel of judges. • Planning start-up costs • Business model canvas • Developing the pitch WHO IS ELIGIBLE • Business will locate in Detroit • Brick-and-mortar, for-profit, independent retail establishment (e.g. coffee shop, clothing store, bookstore, grocer, gallery, gift shop) • Compelling value proposition; offers an exciting product niche and/or serves identified community need • Previous retail experience • Strong understanding of start-up costs and ability to commit own funds • Commitment to launching business within six months to one year of program completion [email protected] techtowndetroit.org/retailbootcamp TM Program Overview & Case Studies UPDATED NOVEMBER 2013 1 TECHTOWN DETROIT 3 440 Burroughs St. 4 Detroit, MI 48202 2 313.879.5250 techtowndetroit.org/swotcity 5 1 2 Brightmoor Office 4 Grandmont Rosedale Office 17405 Lahser 19800 Grand River Detroit, MI 48219 Detroit, MI 48223 3 Osborn Office 5 East Jefferson Office 13560 East McNichols 14628 East Jefferon Detroit, MI 48205 Detroit, MI 48215 NEIGHBORHOODS MATTER SWOT City is a TechTown Detroit program that works to strengthen small businesses in underserved neighborhoods through partnerships with community and economic development organizations. The socially inclusive platform delivers TechTown’s acceleration services to neighborhoods that lie beyond the incubator’s typical reach but require access to crucial small business assistance. Together, TechTown and its partners work to create a new economic reality — a vibrant and dense community with the support infrastructure necessary for essential businesses to thrive in the place they call