Detroit Native Launches ‘Round Here’ to Streamline Entrepreneurial Support in Michigan

September 24, 2025

Round Here, a new platform launched in August by Detroit native Matthew Burnett, aims to consolidate entrepreneurial resources for Michigan's business community into a single accessible space. The platform addresses longstanding challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly Black business owners, including limited access to funding, mentorship, and professional services. Round Here offers live workshops, searchable networks of investors and accelerators, a job board, connections to vetted freelancers, and AI-powered personalized recommendations to help founders navigate their growth journey.

Who is affected

Michigan's 902,000 small and midsize businesses
Black entrepreneurs who face discriminatory lending practices
Founders lacking access to grants, investors, mentors, and services
Coworking spaces and their operators across Detroit
Entrepreneurs in neighborhoods outside downtown and Midtown Detroit
Local coaches and business experts

What action is being taken

Round Here platform is consolidating entrepreneurial resources into a single digital space
The platform is offering live workshops on fundraising and marketing
Round Here is providing searchable networks of accelerators and investors
The service is connecting users with vetted freelancers and peer communities
TechTown and Newlab are partnering with Round Here as early adopters

Why it matters

Detroit entrepreneurs have historically faced discriminatory lending practices and fragmented support
Black business owners are less likely to receive traditional bank loans or venture capital
Many small businesses struggle to survive beyond early years due to resource gaps
The platform could bridge the divide between well-supported downtown businesses and neighborhood entrepreneurs
Round Here aims to democratize entrepreneurial support regardless of ZIP code
Coworking spaces gain sustainable programming and potential new revenue streams

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle