“TechTown is foundational to the entrepreneurship community in and around Detroit and integral to Wayne State’s vision for innovation in the region,” said WSU President Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy. “In addition to elevating entrepreneurs in our community, TechTown’s community-based programs and services create enriching, impactful opportunities beyond the classroom for our students.”
TechTown Detroit is Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub and the only full-service entrepreneurship hub in Detroit serving every kind of business owner throughout Wayne County.
TechTown’s mission is to help tech startups and small businesses develop, launch and grow. It supports a variety of entrepreneur stages and experiences – from tech ideas to brick-and-mortar establishments – providing one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, training, coworking and event space.
Focused on its vision of a meaningful and equitable revitalization of Detroit, TechTown advances equity and opportunity through the launch and sustainable growth of tech startups and small businesses that create new jobs, generate revenue and strengthen neighborhoods.
Originally founded in 2000 by Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health and General Motors to support tech-based spinoffs from the university, TechTown established its headquarters in 2004 as a hub for expanded incubation and acceleration services that have grown to support small businesses and tech entrepreneurs across Wayne County.
In the past 20 years, TechTown has supported more than 6,000 businesses in and around Detroit. These businesses have created more than 2,300 jobs and raised more than $408 million in startup and growth capital. TechTown is committed to uplifting and embracing the diversity of Detroit and the region, particularly entrepreneurs of color and women-led businesses.
TechTown works closely with Wayne State University to fuel innovation – one of three pillars in the university’s Prosperity Agenda. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Wayne State aims to propel Michigan’s competitiveness in 21st century commerce and create an “open for business” campus that creates solutions to the challenges endemic to urban areas while ensuring a robust economy that benefits all. Together, TechTown and Wayne State University play a significant role in generating equitable community wealth and reducing intergenerational poverty through entrepreneurship.
Where serendipitous collisions happen The five-story landmark 1927 Albert Kahn building that serves as TechTown’s headquarters includes co-working space, offices and labs, meeting and event space, and numerous businesses working across sectors.
- TechTown hosts an average of 255 events and meetings/month
- 230+ companies call TechTown home
- TechTown welcomes an average of more than 10,000 visitors/month
Programs + Services
TechTown’s approach to entrepreneurship programming centers accessibility and inclusion. Challenging traditional narratives about who can be an entrepreneur, the majority of TechTown’s clients are people of color and/or use she/her pronouns.
TechTown is committed to continuous growth and evolution to meet the changing needs of entrepreneurs. The full suite of programs includes:
- Start Studio Discovery + Start Studio MVP: a pair of cohort programs focused on moving founders through early idea validation and development of a minimum viable product (MVP)
- Traction: a highly focused program to help tech startups with a revenuegenerating MVP establish their path to reoccurring, predictable revenue or advanced funding opportunities
- Scale Studio: a mix of educational and coaching sessions for established, revenue-generating service-based companies working to scale their businesses
- Capital Program: assists companies who have completed a TechTown tech program, or who are part of the TechTown community, with access to capital to grow their businesses
- MAIN (Mobility Accelerator Innovation Network): events and services provided by a multi-organization partnership that supports mobility innovators with ideas, revolutionary technologies and tech startups across Southeast Michigan
- MedHealth: a cross-border cluster that connects, convenes and educates med tech stakeholders to advance technologies that will positively impact health outcomes
- Strategy Sessions: free, one-on-one consultations with TechTown business strategists for entrepreneurs at all levels who want to discuss roadblocks and goals
- Ask an Expert: free, one-on-one guidance for entrepreneurs at all levels from members of TechTown’s Professional Services Network (PSN)
- Training Series: workshops covering business fundamentals and relevant issues led by local and national experts for entrepreneurs at all levels
- Retail Boot Camp: a cohort program for small business owners planning to open a brick-and-mortar business in Wayne County
- The SHOP: a monthly pop-up marketplace for small businesses building skills in a retail environment
- 313 STRONG: customized one-on-one coaching for small businesses seeking long-term coaching structured around specific milestones
- Hatch Detroit: a multi-phase competition for small businesses seeking funding to open a brick-and-mortar business, culminating in a $100,000 award to the top business
