Giving back. Stepping forward. Changing Detroit.

Sheu-Jane Gallagher - Manager, TechTown Mentors

The mentor program at TechTown is a dynamic tool for reshaping the business culture in Detroit. It accelerates business growth by matching TechTown entrepreneurs with skilled business professionals who can guide them toward earlier revenue, job creation and sustainability. The program is managed by Sheu-Jane Gallagher, a former  mechanical engineer, whose traded her track record of working on  product-driven initiatives in order to focus community-focused missions, such growing entrepreneurship in Detroit.

What is a TechTown mentor?

Mentors volunteer with TechTown support leaders on projects that are part of a company’s master plan.Mentors are project–based advisors who act as part of a larger advisory board at different times for innovative startup companies enrolled in SmartStart, TechTown’s business development program, and Arts IMPACT, an incubation program for startups with creative or artistic endeavors.  “Our mentors are local professionals making contributions to the up-and-coming entrepreneurial community,” Sheu-Jane said.

Who are the mentors?

The mentor program at TechTown is a network of professionals in Southeast Michigan with an entrepreneurial approach to business building and relevant professional experience.

Relevant areas of expertise include:

• Accounting
• Executive coaching
• Executive management
• Fundraising
• Grant writing
• HR/recruiting
• Information technology
• Law
• Marketing
• Operations
• Product development
• R&D/Design
• Sales
• Strategy

What roles do mentors play?

Volunteer mentors work on individual and team projects to coach founders on the essential tasks needed to grow their business. Tasks may include:

• Product launches
• Hiring and firing
• Marketing campaigns
• Sales rollouts
• Financing and fundraising
• Business infrastructure

The benefits

Why do our mentors volunteer their time to help TechTown entrepreneurs?

• They want to give back to the community. Even the most experienced serial entrepreneurs needed mentoring when they first started out as business owners. Entrepreneurs who have “made it” recognize the pricelessness of good mentorship.
• They meet other business advisers in this high-energy network. The mentor program is an excellent way to expand your professional network in Detroit.
• They want to be part of the transformation of Detroit into an entrepreneurial culture. TechTown is starting a movement of entrepreneurialism in Detroit, and people want to join in the excitement.