Latest Updates from

Detroit Means Business

Thank you for attending the 2nd Annual Detroit Means Business Summit and celebrating National Small Business Week with us!

We had a widely successful event with over 400 attendees at Ford Field. You can find all the recorded content, grant winners, photo gallery, event recap video, and more at detroitmeansbusiness.org/summit  

Special thanks to all the small businesses we partnered with for National Small Business Week District events: 

• Norma G’s 
• Detroit Soul 
• AGI Construction 
• Good Times on the Ave 
• Gigi’s 

Are you interested in becoming the next Detroit Means Business Small Business Owner Advocate?

The Small Business Owner Advocates (SBOA) is a dedicated group of small and mid-sized Detroit business owners charged with utilizing their experience to inform the work of Detroit Means Business and help the coalition keep business owner perspectives at the core of what we do. The SBOA Fellowship is a ten-month program focused on elevating the power and the platform of Detroit's small business owners. The ideal candidate for the SBOA Fellowship is a Detroit-based entrepreneur who has an established, revenue-generating business and can allocate time from their schedule to help improve our business community. This experience will help business owners give back to their business community in a tangible way.   

To learn more about the DMB Small Business Owner Advocates Fellowship, please attend the Informational being held May 22 at 2 PM located at the Build Institute, 1620 Michigan Ave., Suite 120, Detroit, MI 48216 (Entrance off Trumbull). Informational will be hybrid (in-person and via Zoom).

Register today!

For more information on the fellowship and to apply visit detroitmeansbusiness.org/sboa 

The DMB Digital Access Hub is Live

The Detroit Means Business Digital Access Hub is a collaborative effort where entrepreneurs and small business owners can find digital tools, business service support, and resources to help operate their small businesses digitally. Bring your small business into the age of technology.

You can find out in under 10 minutes if your business is digital-ready by taking our Digital Readiness Assessment.

As a reminder, the Do-It-Yourself Digital Resource Guide is a digital tool that shows business owners how to make their business run easier, faster, and more efficiently. Inside the guide, you’ll find links to common challenges companies face like social media management, website-building platforms, and so much more! Don’t miss out on small business owner testimonials and organizations that assist with digital business support in Detroit! Learn More>

You can find additional resources by searching through the DMB Library, here.

NEI 2023 Survey of Small Businesses

Small Biz News

100 Small Businesses in Southeast Michigan to be named Comcast RISE Recipients

Comcast announced that 100 small businesses in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties will be named Comcast RISE recipients and awarded packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a monetary grant, creative production, a media schedule, and a technology makeover.

Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment and was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. The program continues to evolve from helping businesses survive the pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.  

How can I apply?   

Between June 1-30, eligible small businesses in metro Detroit, will be able to apply for the Comcast RISE program at www.ComcastRISE.com.  A total of 100 grants per city will be announced in August and awarded in September 2023.

Eligibility requirements include:  

• Owner is at least 18 years of age or older and is the primary decision maker, and is actively engaged in the day-to-day operation of the business 
• No more than 100 full-time and part-time employees 
• Established business operations for at least three calendar years 
• Business has been revenue-generating in the 12 months prior to the application window 

Upcoming Events

Ask-a-Expert! Financial Jam Session

Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation is hosting an Ask-a-Expert! Financial Jam Session on Tuesday, May 30, from 4-6 PM. The Jam Session is designed to give each small business real-time assistance and to connect business owners with financial resources in the ecosystem.

The Jam Session Resources include: 

• Fair Food Network Food Business Investment Program 
• Michigan Women Forward Microloan Program & 5c's of Business Credit 
• Accounting Aid Society - How to? Business Banking and Reporting 
• ProsperUs Detroit - Basics of Financial Management 

Grab your ticket on Eventbrite - you don't want to miss out on the wealth of information that will be provided. Contact jeniece@grandmontrosedale.com for any questions or concerns

Small Biz Opportunities

Detroit Means Business has the latest in small business opportunities: accelerators, incubators, pitch competitions, learning opportunities, and more. View opportunities with fast-approaching deadlines below.

Applications Now Open for 2023 Downtown Detroit Markets

The Markets are slated to return to the city center in November and December 2023, and will once again call Downtown Detroit’s Cadillac Square home. 

TechTown will host two virtual info sessions for prospective vendors:

• May 17 from 6–7 PM (register HERE)
• June 7 from 6–7 PM (register HERE):

Downtown Detroit Markets vendors will be notified in July 2023. To learn more, click HERE. 

Financial Resources

Access to capital is essential for a business to survive and thrive, and Detroit Means Business is here to help you do just that. View financial resources with fast-approaching deadlines below.

Our Small Business Call Center is open to take calls

M-F 9AM-5PM at (844) 333-8249.