Detroit Entrepreneur Week, the city’s leading small business conference and festival celebrates National Small Business Week, from May 2 to May 7, by hosting a series of activities ranging from panel discussions, free workshops, networking events and entrepreneurial showcases. Guided by the belief that neighborhood based businesses are essential to the health and vitality of our communities, Detroit Entrepreneur Week partners work together to unleash ideas and doing what it takes to bring them to life — spotting opportunities, exchanging ideas, solving problems, being creative and building connections to learn from both failure and success.
Invited guests from government agencies, nonprofits, media partners, key sponsors of the week, local businesses, innovators and top resource providers for small business and entrepreneurship will be in attendance. Weekday workshops will be held 9 am to noon at TechTown. The Saturday Small Business Legal Academy will be held on Saturday, May 7, at the WSU Law School from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Detroit Entrepreneur Week is dedicated to bringing together entrepreneurs, influencers, industry-experts and thought leaders under a “big tent” of remarkable collaboration and engagement.
It is the mission of Detroit Entrepreneur Week to provide an open space for all who are passionate about entrepreneurship as a means of unleashing innovation and spurring economic growth in Detroit neighborhoods – this year, the event’s conference will feature:
• High profile speakers • Branding and marketing interactive workshops by The She Is Project and The LEE Group
• Social Entrepreneurship: The Art of Mission-based ventures by BUILD Institute
• Shining The Spotlight on Black-Owned Food Businesses by Foodlab Detroit
• Ten different ways to finance your business venture by CEED Detroit & SCORE
Detroit Entrepreneur Week’s celebrations will honor the contributions made by small businesses to Detroit’s local economy and recognize the important role played by government agencies, non-profits and community organizations coming together to support the growth of entrepreneurs and small businesses in Detroit, especially in the neighborhoods.
“Detroit has seen the best and the worst of times, but bankruptcy did not signal the end of the city itself. In fact, our city is forging ahead, thanks to the remarkable entrepreneurial resiliency, from start-up companies to stalwart businesses that have called Detroit home for more than a century. Detroit has a proud past and a bright future that will be driven by the heart, soul and determination of its people. We are committed to rebuilding Detroit neighbor- hoods and Detroit Entrepreneur Week is the platform for advancing the entrepreneurial momentum and the culture of entrepreneurship in Detroit,” said Regina Ann Campbell, managing director of place-based entrepreneurship, TechTown Detroit.
“The Small Business Legal Academy will feature a number of lawyers from Detroit’s leading law firms and legal departments with panels discussing the legal and business concerns of early stage entrepreneurs. There are both organized panels and ample opportunities to meet with legal experts one on one to find the resources necessary to move your business ideas to the next level,” said Thomas Linn, chair emeritus of Miller Canfield and coordinator of the academy.
Sponsors and participating organizations currently include TechTown Detroit, BUILD Institute, CEED Detroit, FoodLab Detroit, ProsperUS Detroit, SCORE Detroit and ARISE Detroit! Law firms participating in the Small Business Legal Academy include Bodman LLP, Brooks Kushman, Dickinson Wright, Dykema Gossett, Jaffe Raitt, Miller Canfield and Plante Moran. The week features a mixture of free and paid events. Online registration is required for both. To register, please visit www.detroitentrepreneurweek.org. For more information, please visit www.detroitentrepreneurweek.org or contact Robin Kinnie by email at rkinnie@greatlakeswbc.org
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