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Detroit launches first-of-its-kind $700,000 Startup Fund to fuel job creation and talent retention
Mayor Mike Duggan joined with Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) officials, City Council members, and startup ecosystem leaders to announce the launch the first-of-its-kind Detroit Startup Fund.
More than 200 members of Detroit’s tech community gathered this week at Newlab at Michigan Central to celebrate the announcement. New Lab is currently home to more than 140 startup companies.
The $700,000 initiative will distribute grants to Detroit-based tech startups over the next year in its first round. The goal of the program is to create jobs, fuel innovation that improves life for Detroiters, and retain talent.
The Detroit Startup Fund will award a total of 26 grants across two rounds in the next year. Those include 20 seed grants of $15,000 each and six scale grants of $50,000 each to Detroit-based startups. The fund’s first 13 grant winners will be announced in late 2025 and a second round will open in early 2026.
Applications for the first round of grants opened this week at detroitmi.gov/startup and will close on August 25. Applications require detailed business plans and clear deployment strategies for grant funds.
To be eligible for the Detroit Startup Fund, businesses must meet the following four criteria:
- Detroit-based startup or founder building in Detroit that has been established no more than 10 years
- Scalable, venture backable company with a product or service that has potential for civic use, improves quality of life for Detroit residents, and/or enhances the delivery of city services or operations
- Commitment to becoming certified with the City as a Detroit-based business
- Commitment to sharing progress and outcome data with DEGC and City of Detroit
Startup Genome’s 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report ranked Detroit the world’s number one emerging startup hub. This momentum builds on record levels of investment and development within Detroit’s growing tech community.
From Newlab at Michigan Central and TechTown, to the University of Michigan Center for Innovation and the new precision medicine center at Bedrock’s Gratiot site, billions of dollars are being invested in the infrastructure needed to power the future of Detroit’s economy.
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Community leaders, residents hold Hour of Power: Day of Prayer and Peace, call for end of youth violence in Detroit
 City leaders, school leaders, and community advocates united in the heart of downtown this week to lift Detroit in prayer and stand in solidarity for peace, healing, and protection for our young people.
The Hour of Power: Day of Prayer and Peace event was held at Spirit Plaza in downtown Detroit, featuring local leaders and residents who called for an end to the youth violence that’s been devastating families and neighborhoods.
During the event, leaders from across the City of Detroit urged residents to do their part.
"You don't have to be ordained to get up and stand up," said Detroit minister Malik Shabazz. "You don't have to be elected into office to get up and stand up. What you have to do is care. We all have the capacity to love."
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City, community honor First Responders who rescued and provided care for 13 people following Littlefield apartment explosion
 Mayor Duggan, Councilmember Fred Durhal, III and Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms recognized Fire Operations members who responded to the Littlefield apartment explosion on March 31 and executed extraordinary rescues.
Mayor Duggan joined City officials and community leaders this week at the Adams-Butzel Complex to honor the heroic actions of Detroit Fire and EMS personnel who rescued and provided emergency care and transport to 13 individuals - six of them children - following a devastating apartment explosion on March 31.
The incident occurred at 3:59 a.m. in the 13900 block of Littlefield Street, where a powerful explosion - determined to be gas-related - partially collapsed a 12-unit apartment building.
First responders arrived in under six minutes to a chaotic scene. Initial 911 reports indicated a vehicle crash, but quickly escalated to include multiple reports of trapped residents hanging from second-story windows and calling for help.
Battalion Chief 4 Percy Warmack assumed Incident Command on arrival, and initiated rescue efforts. Crews from Engine 40, Ladder 25, Squad 1, and multiple other companies deployed aerial and ground ladders to rescue residents - including four children who had passed out through a bathroom window - and used improvised ladder ramps to evacuate individuals over the collapsed section of the building.
Detroit Fire Chief David Nelson meets six-year-old Kayden Jones and his mother Dymond Washington. During the incident, Kayden and his two-year-old brother Koda were handed from mother to firefighters on ladders following the explosion.
A total of 13 residents were successfully rescued and received treatment, thanks to swift triage and transport by Detroit EMS supervisors and medic units, under the leadership of EMS Supervisor Captain Glen Goodson. Tragically, one resident, Brandon Bradwell, lost his fight for life in late April, about a month after the explosion.
The building was later declared structurally unsound and demolished. The coordinated and courageous actions of all responding units undoubtedly saved lives.
The Housing & Revitalization Department (HRD) was on site within hours, conducting resident outreach and helping the families find temporary shelter. Since then, HRD staff have worked directly with tenants to identify and secure permanent housing solutions as they rebuild their lives.
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Vote Detroit! August 5 Primary Election early voting is now open. Learn more at detroitmi.gov/departments/elections.
Early voting gives Detroiters the convenience and flexibility to vote on their schedule - whether early, by absentee ballot, or on Election Day. The City Clerk’s Office is making it easier than ever for every voice to be heard.
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Fire Department welcomes 53rd Junior Fire Cadet class, in partnership with GDYT
Students at the Detroit Fire Department’s Junior Fire Cadet program engaged in hands-on search and rescue and water hose training this week at DFD’s Walter P. Rutherford Regional Training Center.
The 2025 Junior Fire Cadet class marks the program’s 53rd year, and the 10th year partnering with Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, a program launched by Mayor Duggan that provides more than 8,000 summer employment opportunities every year for Detroit youth ages 14-24.
As part of the six-week program, youth cadets practice a variety of basic firefighting and medical skills, including fire hydrant hook up, ladder climbing techniques and hands-only CPR. The program is run by Lt. Stacy Taylor and Detroit Fire Department's Community Relations Division.
This year’s cadet class includes Renaissance High School students, Zuri Irby, 16, and her brother, Rakem, 17. This is Zuri’s second year in the program, and she convinced her brother to join for the summer. They hope to be future first responders right here in the city of Detroit.
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  Detroit At Work Resource Fair at 18017 E. Warren on Wednesday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info, contact Ayonda Grant at (313) 217-2980 or Pamela Selley at (313) 217-2974.
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City scores major win for tenants living in troubled Real Token properties that are subject of sweeping lawsuit
The City of Detroit has won a landmark protection on behalf of tenants living in hundreds of distressed properties in the city owned by Real Token.
Earlier this month, the City announced a sweeping legal action against Real Token, Remy and Jean-Marc Jacobson, and their 165 affiliated corporate defendants, for public nuisance violations involving over four hundred residential properties across Detroit.
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry issued a temporary restraining order that included protections for residents living in any Real Token-affiliated property.
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Mayor, City leaders and partners unveil new changes for key Detroit People Mover Station
Mayor Duggan joined local leaders and partners to celebrate the renaming of the Detroit People Mover’s (DPM) Joe Louis Arena Station, now rebranded as the West Riverfront Station
The name was updated to reflect the development of the area. Now a new chapter is beginning for the station with a name that reflects its utility, as part of planned infrastructure developments for this unique section of downtown Detroit.
A reimagined DPM Water Square Station will operate as part of the downtown neighborhood that further connects residents to the riverfront, public spaces and an expanded, pedestrian friendly Second Avenue.
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Deputy Mayor, community celebrate grand opening of new MCM business, Simply Roasted coffee shop
Deputy Mayor Howard and the community celebrated the opening of Motor City Match's newest business, Simply Roasted coffee shop, with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week.
The new location is the 191st brick and mortar location opening with assistance from MCM, and is located at 4240 Cass Ave.
Simply Roasted offers thoughtfully crafted coffee, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and locally sourced baked goods, all in a space designed for comfort, community and connection.
Menu favorites include Spanish lattes and croissant breakfast sandwiches, along with blooming teas, cold brew and gluten-free options. Sandwiches are made in-house, while baked goods are sourced from local vendors.
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DFD Emergency Medical Technicians reunite with twins they helped deliver
The Detroit Fire Department celebrated the joyful reunion last week between two Emergency Medical Technicians and the Detroit resident whose twin girls they helped deliver.
On July 1, DFD received a call regarding Jessica Johnson, who went into labor at her home on Culver Street. Upon their arrival at the scene - which also happened to be their first run together - Detroit EMTs Michael Bache and Bacarri Stanley helped deliver the baby girls.
A few weeks later, the EMTs reunited with the family they'd assisted. Equipped with cribs, crib mattresses, diapers, additional baby supplies and gifts for Johnson’s three older children, courtesy of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, they visited the newly expanded family at their home.
This proud moment recognizing an incredible act of service speaks to the strong bond between Detroit’s first responders and the tight-knit community they serve.
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City Modern housing development in Brush Park celebrates grand opening
Mayor Duggan joined community leaders and partners to celebrate the completion and opening of new affordable housing in Detroit's Brush Park.
The completion adds 20 newly constructed buildings, along with the rehabilitation of three historic homes, providing 452 total new residences to Brush Park.
The project includes a mixed-income, amenity-dense neighborhood and features apartments, townhomes, carriage homes, condominiums and 31,000 square feet of retail space.
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Announcements!
Monday, August 4 • 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
City D5 Ombudsman Satellite Location at Coleman A. Young Rec Center (2751 Robert Bradby Dr).
Wednesday, August 6 • 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
City D2 Ombudsman Satellite Location at Adams Butzel Rec Center (10500 Lyndon).
Saturday, August 9 • 1 - 5 p.m.
Warrendale community 100-Year Anniversary at Minock-Whitlock Park (6551Minock).
Thursday, August 14 • 6:30 p.m.
5th Precinct BOPC community meeting at A.B. Ford Park (100 Lennox). Learn more and join the virtual meeting here.
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