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Detroit Launches Tech Founder Residency Fellowship to Boost Local Startup Ecosystem

October 29, 2025

The City of Detroit has launched the Detroit Tech Founder Residency Fellowship to retain entrepreneurial talent and strengthen its startup ecosystem. The year-long program provides participating founders with $2,000 monthly stipends and complimentary coworking space at three major innovation hubs throughout the city. Funded by a $210,000 state grant and administered by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the fellowship targets early-stage founders who graduated from Michigan universities after May 2022 and commit to residing in Detroit for 12 consecutive months.

Who is affected

  • Early-stage, venture-backable startup founders who graduated from Michigan colleges or universities after May 2022
  • The inaugural cohort of up to eight selected fellows
  • Detroit residents and the broader Detroit entrepreneurial community
  • Three innovation hubs: TechTown, Bamboo, and Newlab at Michigan Central
  • The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
  • Michigan Growth Office
  • Black Tech Saturdays community and other inclusive tech groups in Detroit

What action is being taken

  • Applications are currently open on MakeMyMove.com for the fellowship program
  • The DEGC is administering the fellowship using the $210,000 Make MI Home grant
  • The program is offering $2,000 monthly stipends and free coworking space to accepted founders

Why it matters

  • This fellowship addresses the critical issue of talent retention in Michigan by preventing young graduates from leaving for other tech hubs. It removes financial and workspace barriers that typically force early-stage entrepreneurs to relocate, helping position Detroit and Michigan as a destination for innovation rather than a stepping stone to other regions. The program supports Detroit's broader economic inclusion goals and contributes to building a sustainable foundation for the city's next generation economy, particularly in mobility technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

What's next

  • Applications deadline is December 1
  • Selected fellows will begin their residency in early 2026
  • The inaugural cohort will include up to eight founders who will complete a 12-month residency in Detroit

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle