Entrepreneurship

Coverage of those starting up businesses and community resources to help them thrive.

Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office.

Attacks on immigrant families and what that means for early education

Community-based organizations report that approximately 15% of students  withdrew from preschool programs within weeks due to immigration enforcement activity. Advocates and policy researchers attribute these shifts to the growing climate of fear among immigrant families in Michigan.

Latest in Entrepreneurship
From Hamburg to Michigan: How Global Detroit helped a biotech founder stay, work, and build

After immigrating from Germany, Max von Wels co-founded a biotech startup in Michigan. With Global Detroit’s help, he secured a visa and a future in tech.

Julie Molenda
SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers

The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.  

A pickleball game at Wolverine Pickleball.
Ann Arbor pickleball facility wins statewide energy efficiency award

The award honors Wolverine Pickleball CEO and co-founder Christie Howden for making environmentally conscious choices during the building of her 39,000-square-foot pickleball facility.

A graphic for the Tariff Resource Center website.
Online resource center offers help for Washtenaw County businesses struggling with tariff impacts

In an effort to support Washtenaw County companies impacted by tariffs, Ann Arbor SPARK has created the Tariff Resource Center, a website offering policy updates and tools to help businesses navigate an uncertain situation.

Community collaborations help coordinate shelter, food, clothing, and other basic needs alongside behavioral health services. Community Action of Allegan County home-delivered meals drivers.
Mental health agencies strengthen services through community collaborations

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are expanding their reach through partnerships with local organizations that address housing, transportation, and other barriers to care. These collaborations aim to create a more coordinated and accessible mental health system, particularly for individuals with complex needs.  

Kara Inmon, Darius Smith, and J.B. Ricks at the Food Folks Fun studio in Ypsi.
New Ypsi-based podcast network aims to uplift local community and neighboring businesses

The new podcast network Food Folks Fun will showcase a variety of local voices in order to promote the businesses, organizations, and people of Depot Town and beyond.

A flyer for Lattes and Bouquets.
Ypsi cafe to feature “flower bar” for attendees to build their own bouquets

Ypsilanti’s Bridge Community Cafe is collaborating with Detroit-based pop-up event planner Swanky Lady Couture for a series of hands-on bouquet-building events throughout July. 

All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by  Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.
Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

The START Collaborative's first retreat in January 2024.
From tornado to ice storm, collaborative addresses unmet needs in Otsego County

Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.

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