Posted on 05/02/12 by Jeff Aronoff

Executive Director, D:hive
jeff@dhivedetroit.org

D:hive—“Air Traffic Controllers” for Engaging with Detroit

Awaking an economy through animating the potential of individuals that embody the entrepreneurial spirit is no small task.  If it takes a village to raise a child, the same can be said about entrepreneurs.  The lives of individuals seeking to take ideas to action are often filled with frustrations and barriers to entry.  Our job at the D:hive is to make the first few steps of those pursuits just a little bit easier.

Posted on 04/19/12 by Matthew Clayson

Director, Detroit Creative Corridor Center

“Be a Venture”—Detroit’s Growing Creative Corridor

Let's talk about accelerating the creative economy in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.  The Detroit Creative Corridor Center launched the Creative Ventures business acceleration program 1 year ago with support from the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan.  Now heading into its second year, the program seeks a fresh round of early stage creative sector businesses to engage, challenge and support.

Check out this video to learn more about the program and current participants

Posted on 04/02/12 by Margaret Trimer-Hartley

Superintendent
University Prep Science & Math Schools, Detroit
E: Mtrimer-hartley@uprepsm.org
W: http://www.2upsm.org/

Creating Next-Gen Entrepreneurs

I recently participated in Career Day at the Detroit charter school I run.  After I described my first big job as a journalist, I turned the floor over to the students to tell me what they wanted to be.

Veterinarian.  Pediatrician.  Engineer.  Right answers, I thought, especially given that they attend University Prep Science & Math Middle School (UPSM) where the focus is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Posted on 09/22/11 by Donald Jones

Donald Jones is senior consultant to the New Economy Initiative, responsible for helping the NEI team to build opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.

And Then There Were 53

More than 300 applications were received, but in the end, only 53 semi-finalists were chosen to battle it out for a chance to win more than $1 million in cash and in-kind awards in this year’s Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. 

Posted on 09/14/11 by TechTown

Website: www.techtownwsu.org 

BOOM Town

Entrepreneurship is not just for 20-somethings. In fact people 55 and older are engaged in more entrepreneurial activity than those aged 20-34. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, self-employed people 55 to 64 grew by 93,000 in 2009 and by 213,000 among people 65 and older. 

Workers and retirees over the age of 50 are currently the fastest growing group seeking business and technology training here at Wayne State University’s TechTown.  

Posted on 03/28/11 by Mahendra Ramsinghani

Mahendra Ramsinghani manages the First Step Fund. Headquartered in Detroit, it is a microinvestment fund that has invested in 25 start-up companies as of March 2011.

The Reports of Detroit’s Death are Greatly Exaggerated

One year after the launch of the First Step Fund at Invest Detroit, we fondly recall Mark Twain’s comments on his own ill-timed obituary. The reports of Detroit’s death are greatly exaggerated, indeed. In this year, we saw over a hundred fascinating start- ups companies, strong entrepreneurs and the spirit that makes our city what it is: indefatigable.

Posted on 01/12/11 by Mathew Neagle

MBA student, University of Michigan, Associate, Invest Detroit, and Fellow, Michigan Future 
mneagle@umich.edu

Students Shift Toward Detroit and Entrepreneurship

I am one of the 50,000+ students in a Michigan college and university that will graduate this spring and will have to answer the question – what am I am going to do after graduation and where am I going to do it?

Posted on 01/07/11 by Michael Finney

Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition a Bright Spotlight

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition shone a bright spotlight on the talented entrepreneurs committed to building businesses in Michigan.  It also showed that investors are eager to support these emerging companies.

Posted on 01/06/11 by Michelle Lange

Director, Walsh Institute

For Entrepreneurs, People are the Secret Sauce

I think we can all agree there is nothing better when placing a phone call than reaching someone who actually understands what you need, on the very first ring, without having to wade through a series of voicemail menus.  Likewise the same can be said about starting a business and trying to use the internet.  In today's information dense world where nearly anything you could think of is 'googleable' and available online, the one-on-one interaction of professionals helping entrepreneurs is still the critical factor.

Posted on 12/31/10 by Antonella Solomon

Chief Creator of Innovation, Launch Learning Group

10 Tips from a Start-Up

Let’s face it-- in this economy the thought of starting a business is very appealing. It seems so easy, so fun… But the reality is harsh. Starting and running a business require lots of hard work and determination. You will probably have to do things that you had never imagined. As a leader you need to have the ability to create the vision and inspire others to embrace your vision. Even though this may seem rough, there is light at the end of the tunnel! The the sense of satisfaction that comes from being an entrepreneur are limitless.