The Ultimate Guide to Detroit Entrepreneurship

Watch out, Silicon Valley. Detroit is coming for your spot.

According to Business Insider, the city is emerging as a leading frontier of technology and innovation, and it’s primed to beat Silicon Valley at its own game. Inc. even calls Detroit “Start-up City, USA” — a place that has everything an entrepreneur needs to start their dream company.

From future CEOs to burgeoning artists, the city is flooding with a new generation of movers and shakers. In fact, Detroit saw a 59 percent increase in young, college-educated residents within just the last 10 years.

That’s why we’re serving up the ultimate guide for Detroit entrepreneurs. Whether you’re looking for coworking spaces, start-up funding or networking opportunities, you can find your essential resources right here.

Detroit Resources

• The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
  The DMCVB is committed to marketing local businesses to tourists and visitors from around the world. By joining as a partner, you can ensure that your company is top-of-mind among Detroit travelers. You’ll also be able to promote your business in the award-winning Visit Detroit magazine, receive leads and referrals, attend educational seminars and access the partner portal. Become a DMCVB member today.
• An Office in Detroit
  An Office in Detroit is exactly what it sounds like: a place for you to make a home for your business, including conference rooms, fast Wi-Fi and a community of coworkers. Their three-tiered pricing plan starts at $45/day or $65/month. And all packages include complimentary coffee and tea, so you can stay caffeinated while you’re making great things happen.
• Bamboo Detroit
  Bamboo Detroit‘s downtown location hosts both open and private office spaces and it’s accessible 24/7 for members. Bamboo also runs weekly events and growth programming workshops, such as happy hours, training sessions and industry-specific meetups. Membership plans start at $40/month.
• Citizen Space
  Citizen Space is all about collaboration and discussion. This coworking company encourages communication and openness, and is welcoming to people who want to pay by the hour, day, or week. The building even allows pets and offers a mini library for those bookworms out there. Memberships plans start at $20/day and $200/month.
• Detroit Venture Partners
  Detroit Venture Partners invests in start-up teams that have “the grit, creativity, and passion to tackle and mold opportunity.” The organization has already backed local companies like iRule, Quikly, Rockbot and Reach Influence.
• Entrepreneurs Hub
  The Entrepreneurs Hub is a coworking space and the home of LifeLine Business Consulting Services. At The Hub, entrepreneurs can rent cubicles, office spaces and conference rooms. They can also rent a virtual office space to be a part of the online community. Membership plans start at $25/day and $99/month.
• Green Garage
  Green Garage offers a sustainable place for entrepreneurs to work and connect with others who want to change the world for the better. The building is appropriately equipped with a rooftop garden and a “green alley” of reclaimed bricks, native plants and high-induction lighting. Events include sustainable leadership lunches, yoga breaks and workshops with tech experts. Membership plans start at $65/month.
• Ponyride
  Ponyride is a nonprofit company that empowers artists and entrepreneurs — especially those with social missions — to build on their passions. Its facility is decked out with a coworking space, dance studio, art exhibition space, woodshop and manufacturing studio. Ponyride also offers residencies to local artists.
• Regus Ren Cen
  Regus hosts flexible workspaces around the world, and that includes in Detroit. The GM Renaissance Center is already home to legendary automotive companies and tech ventures. Now you can host your business there, too. It offers customizable office spaces, board rooms, business lounges and quarterly networking events. Once you sign up, you can also manage your account with the Regus app.
• TechTown
  TechTown is Detroit’s most established incubator, arming local businesses with the resources they need to start and thrive. The nonprofit has already served more than 1800 companies, offering tech-based labs programs, coworking spaces and open office hours for inquiring entrepreneurs.
• UP Detroit
  UP Detroit is a branch of the global UP network, a community of volunteers that provides resources for entrepreneurs across the globe. Most notably, it runs many Startup Weekend events, during which innovators can pitch an idea, form a team and launch a product in just three days. All startup ideas are evaluated by a panel of judges, with the winner taking home a prize.
• WeWork Merchant’s Row
  WeWork‘s shared office space in downtown Detroit spans seven floors. It includes open offices, private offices and conference rooms. If you want to grab a space for your growing business, you can even rent offices for more than nine people at a time. Perks include on-site community managers, private phone booths and weekly events. Rental plans start at $250/month.

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