{"id":3639,"date":"2023-09-28T17:21:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T17:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/?p=3639"},"modified":"2023-10-18T20:23:05","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T20:23:05","slug":"applications-now-open-for-detroit-residents-to-turn-their-new-business-ideas-into-reality-through-builders-backers-idea-accelerator-powered-by-heartland-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigancentral.com\/applications-now-open-for-detroit-residents-to-turn-their-new-business-ideas-into-reality-through-builders-backers-idea-accelerator-powered-by-heartland-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Applications Now Open for Detroit Residents to Turn Their New Business Ideas into Reality Through Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator Powered by Heartland Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

DETROIT<\/strong> – Today, Heartland Forward, Builders + Backers, Michigan Central, and Newlab announced that applications are now open for Detroit residents to apply for up to $5,000 to help them turn ideas into potential businesses or ventures. Anyone with an idea for solving a problem facing their community is encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n

The Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator Program powered by Heartland Forward is designed to make it easy for anyone to experiment with entrepreneurship. Applicants are not required to submit a business plan or have a pitch deck for their idea. This second cohort of 10 Builders in Detroit is part of Heartland Forward\u2019s commitment<\/a> to supporting 1,000 Builders across the heartland by the end of 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the last few months, we\u2019ve been so encouraged by the progress our builders have made in putting their innovative ideas to action and addressing the issues facing their communities,\u201d said Ross DeVol, president and CEO of Heartland Forward. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be continuing our work in Detroit and welcoming a second cohort of builders as part of our commitment to support 1,000 builders across the heartland by the end of 2023. As communities continue to rebuild their post-COVID economies, local entrepreneurs are key to successful economic growth and problem solving, and we look forward to seeing what exciting ideas this next cohort brings to positively contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those interested can apply<\/a>. The application deadline is October 5, 2023. Residents with the most promising and innovative ideas will be selected to participate in a two-month long virtual program starting on October 19, 2023.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe applaud Michigan Central and Newlab for recognizing that there are untapped ideas all across the community, and for paving the way for anyone with a novel idea to get started,\u201d said Donna Harris, CEO of Builders + Backers. \u201cEntrepreneurship is a critical tool, not just for launching new companies and creating jobs, but also for generating solutions to the challenges we all want to see solved. We\u2019re excited to bring this program to even more Detroit residents that we know are waiting for this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMichigan Central is proud to partner with Heartland Forward, Builders + Backers, and Newlab to cultivate local entrepreneurship, support Detroiters building new businesses, and help fuel our city\u2019s vibrant economy,\u201d said Carolina Pluszczynski, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Innovation Services at Michigan Central. \u201cThis program will help remove barriers that have historically left far too many Detroiters out, their innovative vision unachievable and their entrepreneurial spirit untapped.<\/p>\n

Since its official launch earlier this year, Michigan Central has quickly emerged as an institution driving economic development for Detroit and Southeast Michigan via its unique network of cutting-edge companies, start-ups and entrepreneurs, academics, members of the community, and public and private sector partners, all working together to solve challenges facing people in Detroit and around the world. In addition to funding, Michigan Central will plug some of the participants in the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator into this ecosystem to help them build their businesses through community programming, connections to capital resources, access to mentors and experts, and more.<\/p>\n

Support for the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator is part of Michigan Central\u2019s commitment to creating opportunities for Detroiters through local skills training and community workforce development programs, which also includes initiatives like Google Code Next, a program providing predominantly Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations with computer science and other technical skills. <\/p>\n

At the heart of the program are the four pillars, designed to mobilize and equip Builders through:<\/p>\n