Posts

Weekly Resource #36 DTX Launch Detroit

One of my favorite things to do while listening to lectures in my business class, besides diligently taking notes of course, is thinking of ways to apply whatever is being talked about to “the real world.” These in-class brainstorming sessions provide an ample distraction for those less stimulating lectures and I often find that I come up with my best ideas while doing this. Many people say they think of good ideas while showering. For me, a boring class has the same effect. If you’re anything like me, you probably have one or two business ideas that you really like that could feasibly become a successful business. Well, If your idea is for a technology start up, clear your summer schedule because there is an accelerator for you to make that idea into a reality.

DTX Launch Detroit is 10-week, highly competitive, accelerator for College undergrads and recent graduates aspiring to launch a technology start-up. The course focuses on teaching entrepreneurial teams the skills and knowledge they need to develop their business. This will be done by exploring markets, developing business models, finding customers, and acquiring resources, just to name a few topics of discussion. Due to the intensive nature of the course, it is required that you are able to make the 10 weeks of this course a full-time commitment.

In order to be eligible, your team must be made up of current students of a Michigan college, Michigan residents attending an out-of-state college or university; and/or Michigan residents who graduated from a college or university within the last two years. At least two of these members must be able to participate in the program full time. You can find the application and additional information about DTX launch Detroit here. Registration is open until March 14th and the program begins May 28th.

 

Weekly Resource #20 – Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference

Business conferenceFor 12 years the Annual Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference has been bringing business women from across the state together to interact and establish connections with one another.  Woman from many different industries will attend this 2 day networking event starting Tuesday, September 24th and ending the evening of Wednesday the 25th.

Educational workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities will make up the schedule of events. The seminars will be presented by keynote speakers Cynthia Kay and Susan Bari.  During the convention, attendees will have many opportunities to network with 75 certified women owned businesses displaying in the conference center.

The workshops will cover topics designed to help entrepreneurs grow their business, including marketing strategies, networking tips, leadership training, and others.

Registration can be found here.

Weekly Resource #19 – Detroit Kitchen Connect

detroit-kitchen-connect1As you are well aware of, opening a business is risky. The amount of overhead required to open a brick and mortar store-front is immense to say the least. This is especially true for those of you who are opening a food business. The additional equipment needed to run a successful food business that meets the customer’s needs and the state’s health regulations, adds a lot to the cost of opening. Kitchen Connect aims to reduce this overhead by making commercial kitchens available for food entrepreneurs to prepare their product in and to establish a community of kitchens across Detroit.

The benefits of being able to rent out a fully fledged commercial kitchen opposed to buying all new (or even used) equipment is obvious. Kitchen Connect knows this and offers their services at a reasonable cost. An application process is required and can be started here. Located in the Osborn community of Detroit, the Matrix Human Services kitchen is available during the organization’s normal business hours: Sun: 9a-5p, Mon & Tue: 9a-7pm, Wed & Thurs: 9a-10p, Fri & Sat: 9am-5. Peter & Paul kitchen, located in Southwest Detroit,  is available Monday – Friday 24 hours per day.

Each entrepreneur must meet the requirements posed by the state and Kitchen Connect in order to be considered during the application process. a “ServSafe Food Certificate” is required and can be obtained by attending a day of instructor-led training and taking the provided test. Insurance and a $200 deposit to Kitchen Connect are also required to use their sponsored facilities. Visit Their website for contact information and be sure to reach out to kitchen connect and their partners with questions and concerns. The best way to get advice is to attend Friday office hours, 8-10am at the Green Garage, 4444 Second Ave., Detroit 48201. Email or call them in advance to confirm: info@foodlabdetroit.com, 313-799-3280.

Weekly Resource #16 – ProsperUS Entrepreneur Training

m-logoRevitalizing low-income neighborhoods has a continued to be a complex issue with no simple solution. ProsperUS Detroit is one of the organizations in the Detroit area that is at the forefront of empowering entrepreneurs and community partners to rebuild their blighted communities from within. Offering many different resources including lending, consulting, and instructional classes, ProsperUS has many ways to meet its goal.

ProsperUS is returning to Focus: HOPE this September for a new session of it’s Entrepreneur training class. Focusing mainly on the central Woodward/North End, Southeast and Cody-Rouge neighborhoods, the class requires an application and interview to take place before a seat will be reserved and attendance permitted. Attending entrepreneurs can be in any stage of development from the early idea stage to owning an established business. The cost of the class will vary depending on the participant’s income level and household size. The training consists of 11 class sessions, 10 hours of 1-on-1 coaching, ongoing technical assistance, and will be wrapped up with a graduation ceremony. Graduates will also become eligible to apply for character-based lending.

The deadline to apply is Friday August 23rd, 2013. Swing by Focus:HOPE to pick up an application or download it here. Once filled out, mail it to 1355 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238, Email it to brittany.sanders@focushope.edu, or Fax it to 313.494.4574. For more information, Check out the ProsperUS Detroit website and this detailed description of the training course.