BizGrid Hosting Startup Assistance Conference
DETROIT (WWJ) -- Why have just one organization to help startups when 54 will do? That's doing things Detroit style.
Well, finally, somebody has pulled together an easy-to-understand graphic to help Detroit entrepreneurs navigate the landscape of organizations providing business assistance in the city.
That somebody is an organization calling itself the Detroit Business Support Network, and that graphic is called the BizGrid, and it's at www.dhivedetroit.org/BizGrid/BizGrid.pdf.
Now, the network is sponsoring a real-world event to help companies get off the ground. Called BizGrid Live!, it's scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at Wayne State University's McGregor Memorial Conference Center, at 495 Gilmour Mall on the WSU campus.
Accomplished, novice and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to the free event, where they will have an opportunity to meet representatives from the 54 (yes, we weren't kidding, it really is 54) BizGrid organizations.
"We want people to know that they can do business in Detroit, and that there are organizations to support them," said Stephanie Fries, BizGrid Live organizer and relationship manager for The Front Door, Wayne State University's one-stop business assistance center. "Whatever stage they're in and whatever help they need, they can find it here."
Bizdom, D:hive, the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., InsYght, and TechTown directed the BizGrid's design, content development and production with the support of the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan.
The Nov. 19 event includes four interactive breakout sessions, an open-air market where attendees can engage one-on-one with BizGrid organizations, and a networking happy hour.
Breakout sessions include:
• "Getting Out of Your Head: Moving Your Business from Idea to Action," moderated by Jeff Aronoff of D:Hive.
• "Turning Nickels into Gold: Creative Ways to Fund Your Start-Up," moderated by Maria LaLonde of Bizdom.
• "Data for Business Decisions: How to Understand Customers, Identify Competitors and Establish your Price," moderated by Bonnie Fahoome of InsYght.
• "Pop-Ups to Permits: Real Estate for Small Business," moderated by Spencer Olinek of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
For more information visit this link. Free parking will be provided with an RSVP at this link.
