TechTown, Detroit’s research and technology park, was established in 2000 when Wayne State University, General Motors and the Henry Ford Health System convened to create an engine of economic growth with both local and statewide impact. TechTown seeks to reignite Detroit’s entrepreneurial culture by providing incubation and acceleration resources including space for lease, coaching, mentoring, educational workshops and access to talent and capital.

TechTown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is the Woodward Technology Corridor SmartZone.

In the years since its inception, TechTown has developed into an epicenter of high-tech business creation by equipping new companies with the services, support and resources they need to grow and thrive. The 12-block park is poised to become a critical source of job growth in Michigan.

Milestones:

• Our tenant base rose from one in September 2007 to 220 in October 2010, representing more than 500 jobs.
• TechOne, the 100,000-square-foot business incubator facility, now hosts more than 250 growing companies.
• Our networking events had a total attendance of 5,257 in the 12 months ending October 2010, introducing thousands of Southeast Michigan residents to a culture of entrepreneurship.
• More than 3,000 people were introduced to entrepreneurial training programs between June 2009 and October 2010.
• More than 1,600 individuals have enrolled in formal training programs and more than 1,200 graduated between June 2009 and October 2001, representing at least 1,000 jobs.
• In 2010, 14 TechTown companies received funding totaling more than $1.35 million in entrepreneurial capital infusion.

Additional highlights:

• NextEnergy, an alternative energy incubator founded to encourage the commercialization of emerging energy technologies, opened its $12 million research facility in TechTown.
• Asterand, a biomaterials bank and TechTown’s first tenant, has become an international, publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange and was voted the best performing share in 2008 by the Financial Times.

We take great pride in how we interact with entrepreneurs and the community. Our engagement starts with an Entrepreneurial Intake Champion, who gives each client of TechTown the same welcoming experience. Through our Intake Champion, entrepreneurs connect with resources like our Entrepreneurial Capital Champion, who links companies to the capital they need, and our Entrepreneurial Talent Champion, who helps build a supportive network of interns, mentors and professional talent.

RESOURCES:

Business Acceleration Services–Through the THRIVE program, startups can receive one-on-one coaching, mentoring, industry connections and more to help them launch into the marketplace.

Flexible Entrepreneurial Space–TechTown offers different levels of tenancy including offices, laboratories, cubicles and mailboxes. All levels provide tenants with a TechTown address and use of conference rooms.

Entrepreneurial Training–TechTown offers a regular series of workshops and training events that afford entrepreneurs access to topical materials when they need them along their startup journey.

Business Services–TechOne Printing is TechTown’s business center, a conveniently located one-stop-shop offering entrepreneurs everything from design ideas to custom printing, marketing materials and finishing services at competitive prices.

Networking Events–TechTown features myriad networking events including our signature networking event, First Fridays, every month from 4 to 6 p.m. Each event features networking and a speaker discussing aspects of growing your company like marketing, technology solutions for startups, developing sales and more.

Access to Entrepreneurial Partners–TechTown partners with best-in-class entrepreneurial experts engaged in small business development, incubation and acceleration across the state, many of whom are located in TechOne. Among these partners are Bizdom U,  the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Small Business Administration, the Urban Entrepreneurship Partnership Detroit 150 (a program of the Kauffman Foundation) and the Detroit Micro-enterprise Fund.