TechTown Detroit

And the winners are in! A huge congratulations to Jamal Carter of Inspiry, Evol Johnson of CommuniTV and Zanne Ngatchou of Wattupdoe, the top three winners of the 2026 Venture 313 AI Buildathon! These builders took on real challenges facing Detroit and turned their ideas into working digital solutions, ultimately taking the stage to pitch what they created at the Buildathon Showcase. The Buildathon was all about seeing what can happen when Detroit’s creativity, problem-solving and emerging technology come together, and this year’s builders delivered. Congratulations to our winners and to everyone who brought an idea, built something new, and helped make this year’s Buildathon happen!

Spooky season, but make it productive. Whether you're here to build, learn, or cheer on the founders showing off their work, October has something on the calendar for you. Register today at techtowndetroit.org/events or visit the link in our bio!

Proud to work alongside Wayne State University on the programs behind this nomination. The IEP Talent Award recognizes education and workforce development, and a lot of that work shows up in Detroit every day: founders pitching, testing ideas, and building real companies. Good luck to the Wayne State team in November!

A first franchise deal is a big milestone, and seeing it covered by a trade publication shows the industry is paying close attention to what Breadless has built. Congratulations to the whole team and to Jonah Smith as the brand heads into new markets. We're proud to have been part of their story at TechTown and excited to watch this next chapter unfold!

Detroit, come see these ideas come to life. Tonight, Venture 313’s AI Buildathon takes the spotlight as participants share what they’ve been working on and bring their ideas in front of a live audience. And that audience can include you! The Showcase is open to the public, so grab a friend, come cheer on the teams, and spend your evening with some of Detroit’s brightest builders and thinkers. Come see what they’ve built. We’ll see you tonight! #techtuesday #techtowndetroit #buildathon #venture313

Running a childcare business means juggling tech, payroll, HR, and about a dozen other things all at once. On September 18, three workshops are tackling them head-on: digital readiness, HR essentials, and financial basics, built specifically for childcare providers. Three workshops, one day, real tools you can use the next morning. Register today at techtowndetroit.org/events!

What does the future of small business look like in Detroit? Let's talk about it!  Join us for Open City for State of the City: Small Business Edition, a conversation with city leaders and community voices about the issues and opportunities impacting Detroit entrepreneurs. Hear about current funding opportunities, resources supporting neighborhood business corridors and initiatives designed to help Detroit businesses grow. Then, bring your questions to an open Q&A with the panel. Come connect, get informed and be part of the conversation shaping small business in Detroit.

Applications are officially open for Retail Boot Camp: Fast-Track! Designed for entrepreneurs ready to take the next step toward a brick-and-mortar business, this four-week intensive brings together focused retail training, hands-on learning and guidance from TechTown’s retail experts. Participants will dig into the essentials of building a strong retail business, from financial readiness and leasing to merchandising, operations, and more. Along the way, they’ll have opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and 1:1 coaching to help apply what they’re learning directly to their businesses. The experience culminates in the RBC Showcase, where participants can highlight their businesses, pitch on stage, and have the opportunity to receive cash awards and continued coaching. Think RBC could be your next step? Learn more and apply at: https://zurl.co/uH56r

There’s plenty of good news coming out of Detroit’s tech ecosystem. This #techtuesday, we’re celebrating two exciting milestones from founders in the TechTown community. Grounded, founded by Sam Shapiro is expanding its footprint in Detroit with the opening of a new 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The new space marks an exciting chapter for the electric vehicle manufacturer as it continues to grow its production capabilities right here in the city. Kavari Health, founded by Madala Mathurin, has been selected for the 2026 Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Health Startup Portfolio. The recognition will bring Kavari Health together with investors, health systems and industry leaders as the company continues its work to help hospitals better understand and address nursing workforce challenges. Congratulations to Sam, Madala and their teams on these well-deserved milestones. We’re proud to see TechTown founders making an impact in Detroit and beyond!

Five years of building, growing and creating impact, and there’s plenty more ahead. We’re proud to celebrate TechTown Detroit Board Member Justin Turk and the journey he’s continued to build with Livegistics. From an ambitious idea rooted right here in Detroit to a company making an impact far beyond the city, Justin’s story reflects the kind of innovation and forward thinking that continues to move our entrepreneurial community forward. Today, we’re grateful to have Justin bring that same experience, perspective and commitment to TechTown’s Board of Directors, helping support the next generation of innovators and business leaders building what’s next. Here’s to five years of momentum and to everything still ahead!