ProsperUs, TechTown announce virtual entrepreneurship training programs for Detroiters

© Eric Seals, DETROIT FREE PRESS
The TechTown business incubator at Wayne State University is hosting a cross-border hackathon aimed at boosting the health care industry.

ProsperUs Detroit and TechTown Detroit have announced entrepreneurship training programs for participants to virtually learn how to operate a business. 

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The two entrepreneurship training programs are for business owners in metro Detroit who want to learn more or need an extra push to get started. 

Here’s information about how you can get signed up for the training programs: 

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ProsperUs Detroit hosts annual business training 

ProsperUs Detroit is looking for entrepreneurs to participate in its training program that is focused on providing the fundamentals of running a business. 

The nonprofit hosts its Entrepreneurship Training Program twice a year and is able to serve 60 business owners in each cohort. All classes are held virtually, and in an effort to give one-on-one attention to each entrepreneur, there are only 12 participants in each class. 

“Our program is 11 sessions oriented around the development of the business plan,” said Chanell Scott Contreras, ProsperUs executive director. “We love to bring in participants who either have a really flushed-out idea or are getting started with their business and even making some transactions and really ready to get that plan down on paper.”

The training program was launched in 2012 in an effort to support business owners in local neighborhoods, people with low to moderate income and people of color, said Scott Contreras. Some of the content of the program includes learning about how to register a business, finances and bookkeeping, marketing plans, operations, hiring and pitching. 

“We have about 1,300 graduates from the training program and we’ve provided access to capital in the form of our micro-loans to almost 100 businesses now,” said Scott Contreras.

“We run a training program in the spring, so applications will close at the end of this month. Then we run the fall program, and usually the applications are due at the end of August.”

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The online application for the program closes at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 31 and it is only open to applicants who live in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Thanks to donors, the cost of attending the program is $75 — with about $1,000 worth of course materials, said Scott Contreras.

TechTown launches new, free 12-month training

TechTown Detroit is set to launch a virtual 12-month series where entrepreneurs can learn from local small business owners about how to get started and begin operating a business. 

Each month, a video will be released focused on a topic related to running a business. Videos will be available in an online library format, where participants can view content at any time. January’s video focuses on social media management techniques and content curation, hosted by Juan Carlos Dueweke-Pérez of Featherstone Moments. 

There will also be a live session at the end of each month, where participants can interact with each month’s special guest and ask questions. 

“It’s for everyone and it doesn’t matter if this is your first time hearing of TechTown,” said Devin Kuziel, entrepreneurial education manager at TechTown Detroit. “If you have some really great ideas for your business, or if you have one but you’re looking to formalize it, feel free to join us. Know that this training series is for you, but that there are also a bunch of other services at TechTown and in the metro Detroit area that are here to serve you.” 

Registration is available on TechTown Detroit’s website and there is no deadline to sign up. With financial support from the Walters Family Foundation, the 12-month series is free to small business owners in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park, along with TechTown alumni. 

“The foundation is pleased to support entrepreneurs in partnership with TechTown. Empowering entrepreneurs is critical to our state’s economic prosperity, especially during the difficult times of the pandemic,” said Matt Walters, trustee of the Walters Family Foundation, in a news release.

February will focus on small businesses utilizing technology, hosted by Marvin Williams, founder and owner of Logical Owl. Williams will discuss various internet connections, hardware devices, cybersecurity and selecting a POS system. The month of March will be dedicated to e-commerce. 

To sign up with the ProsperUs Detroit program, register at the website here. To sign up for the TechTown Detroit Program, sign up here.

Contact staff writer Chanel Stitt on Twitter: @ByChanelStitt. Become a subscriber or gift a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: ProsperUs, TechTown announce virtual entrepreneurship training programs for Detroiters