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Detroit’s Moment of Measure: $410K Investment Promises Opportunity—But Who Benefits?

July 24, 2025

Detroit is receiving $410,000 in state funding through Michigan's Make MI Home initiative to support local entrepreneurs and recent graduates via two new programs. The City of Detroit was granted $210,000 to establish the Detroit Tech Fellowship for recent Michigan university graduates developing startups in sectors like AI and clean energy, while Michigan Women Forward received $200,000 for its Founder Forward program supporting existing founders and returning Michigan talent. These investments aim to address long-standing inequities in access to capital and resources, particularly for Black entrepreneurs in the majority-Black city, while focusing on both attracting new talent and retaining existing Detroit innovators.

Who is affected

  • Recent graduates from Michigan universities
  • Existing founders operating in Michigan
  • "Boomerang" talent with Michigan roots looking to return
  • Black entrepreneurs and founders in Detroit
  • Women and minority-led businesses
  • Detroit residents seeking job opportunities
  • Young people considering leaving Michigan
  • Local small business owners and entrepreneurs

What action is being taken

  • The City of Detroit is launching the Detroit Tech Fellowship with $210,000 in funding, providing coworking space, housing support, and access to entrepreneurial networks
  • Michigan Women Forward is implementing the Founder Forward program with $200,000 to support existing and returning founders with housing assistance, mentorship, and business networks
  • The Growth Office is conducting field trips across cities including Detroit to connect students with innovation ecosystems and job opportunities
  • Black Tech Saturdays is hosting events in Florida and Texas to attract talent back to Michigan
  • The state is operating a Welcome Program that includes access to Michigan parks, free pre-K, community college, and local business discounts for new residents and recent graduates

Why it matters

  • Detroit has historically experienced exclusion of Black talent from mainstream development and access to capital
  • The investments aim to address inequities in resource distribution and innovation infrastructure
  • Small businesses and startups create jobs that can provide better work, higher wages, and wealth generation for Detroiters
  • Michigan is facing declining population challenges, making talent retention crucial
  • Detroit's growth is described as "inextricably linked" to the state's broader prosperity
  • The initiatives represent a shift toward local, community-informed growth strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions
  • The programs focus on both attracting new talent and supporting those who have remained in the city

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle