A Program of the Kauffman Foundation

The Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) Detroit 150 is a proven entrepreneurial educational program and unique one-to-one business coaching model customized for Southeast Michigan, where the auto industry’s recent downturn has forced many automotive suppliers to downsize or close their companies. Minority suppliers have been disproportionately affected by this reorganization.
The project is funded by a $3 million grant from the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan, a philanthropic partnership dedicated to Detroit’s economic transformation and backed by $100 million in funding commitments from 10 nonprofit foundations.

Through UEP Detroit, 150 leading minority suppliers—the UEP Detroit 150—will connect with executives providing retooling opportunities in other industries, including aerospace, alternative energy, medical devices, military, and homeland security.

About The Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP)
Established in 2005 to encourage and advance minority entrepreneurship in underserved urban-core neighborhoods, the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership (UEP) educates and coaches entrepreneurs, fosters job creation, and promotes opportunities for economic profitability, success and organizational sustainability.

In each location, the UEP’s unique and comprehensive approach combines intensive business education and one-to-one coaching by UEP staff and other experienced entrepreneurs. Using a sophisticated, real-time data collection process, coaches assess each new client’s business strengths and challenges; monitor business growth, development, and profitability; track measurable outcomes; and report trends. To ensure client confidentiality and safeguard proprietary information, all data is processed and reported in aggregate form.

UEP Detroit 150 coaches work with each client to select opportunities for retooling, connect with key executives in target industries, and achieve successful implementation through a personalized development plan (PDP) incorporating relevant goals and action steps. Coaches will continue to meet with clients during a long-term follow-up phase.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported by public, private and nonprofit-sector resources, the UEP is a program of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the world’s largest foundation dedicated to entrepreneurship. Also based in Kansas City, Mo., the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a $1.8 billion private nonpartisan foundation working to advance innovation, educational achievement and entrepreneurial success.

UEP Detroit 150 Eligibility Requirements:

UEP Detroit 150 applicants must meet all of the following
eligibility requirements:

• The firm must be certified by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

• The firm must be located in one of the following seven counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenow, Monroe, Livingston, or 
St. Clair

• The firm’s core business revenue must be directly associated with supplying a service or manufactured product to the automotive industry

For more information about the UEP, visit:
http://www.uepkauffman.org

For more information about the UEP Detroit 150, visit:
http://www.uepdetroit.org/

UEP History:
http://www.uepkauffman.org/history.aspx

UEP Educational Process:
http://www.uepkauffman.org/programs.aspx

View UEP Client Success Stories:
http://www.uepkauffman.org/successstory.aspx

UEP-A Program of the Kauffman Foundation Leadership Team:
http://www.uepkauffman.org/leaders.aspx