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October 2017: Detroit Startup Events + Recent News

October 2017: Detroit Startup Events + Recent News

At purpose.jobs, part of our job is staying involved in the local startup community.

And we have to say: it feels pretty damned good.

If you’ve ever worked with a startup before, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. —That electric feeling that ignites in our bellies and our brains every time we talk to someone who’s trying to build something new and big and connected.

It’s a feeling that’s energizing. Exciting. And one we want to share with you.

If you don’t already have a profile on our free startup job search platform, we recommend starting there.

Another way we’d like to share those feel-good, plugged-in vibes?

By highlighting a few upcoming Detroit startup events that we with think you’ll enjoy—plus some of the headlines that kept the startup community buzzing in September.

FEATURED EVENT
October 24th: Detroit Startup Happy Hour
Name says it all. We’re partnering with our friends at Detroit Venture Partners to host what will surely be one of the great events this month. It’s an occasion where our community of technologists, entrepreneurs, and startups can come together to talk about the future of Detroit. We’re counting on your superbrain to add to this superbrain collective, so we hope you can make it. RSVPs strongly encouraged.

Other upcoming Detroit startup events to help keep you connected:

October 2nd: Start Garden kicks off a month of entrepreneurial events
Start Garden is a not-for-profit located in Grand Rapids. They’re on a mission to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem in their region that breaks from historical disparities in entrepreneurship and supports all aspiring business owners. They’re planning another month full of high-impact events, covering everything from creating a business plan to using QuickBooks.

October 4th: Automation Alley kicks off a month of entrepreneurial events
Automation Alley is located in Troy, and serves as one of seventeen different SmartZone technology business accelerators located across the state. It helps members increase revenue, reduce costs, and think strategically as they keep pace with rapid technological changes in manufacturing. They’re preparing to kick off another month of events. The first will focus on changing the culture of information security.

October 12th: Toast of the Town, a celebration of Detroit Entrepreneurship
TechTown Detroit is hosting their 2017 Salute Awards, where local individuals and companies who embody the spirit of entrepreneurship will get recognized. Show up in your best business chic attire—and bring friends! Event organizers are anticipating a turnout that will ring in at 400 guests, so it’ll be a night to remember, and one you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets here.

October 12th: Fireside Chat with Detroit’s Director of Innovation & Emerging Technology
Garlin Gilchrist has had a successful career as a software engineer at Microsoft, technology entrepreneur, and political organizer with MoveOn.org and the Obama campaign. He’s currently serving as Detroit’s Director of Innovation & Emerging Technology, and hopes to join the City Clerk’s office next. Listen, learn, and introduce yourself at this fireside chat.

October 18th: Pitch Club at Techtown in Detroit
Kyyba Xcelerator is a Detroit-based startup accelerator looking to make investments in companies with significant growth opportunities. Each month the company hosts a Pitch Club event where entrepreneurs have the opportunity to learn from other seasoned entrepreneurs and investors. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to network, get inspired, and receive valuable experiences for being investable!

October 31st deadline: apply to get showcased at the Detroit Auto Show
The AutoMobili-D showcase will happen at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)—i.e., the “Detroit Auto Show”—which is one of the most prestigious automotive shows in the world and one of the largest media events in North America. Techstars Mobility has partnered with NAIAS for a second year in order to invite 50 startups to take part in the showcase. Make sure you apply no later than October 31st!

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What the startup community was talking about in September:

These local businesses might be awarded $10K+ to grow
NEIdeas is a program that wants to help existing businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park grow. Since 2014, it’s granted a total of $1.5 million in cash awards to 96 existing businesses in the area. This year it will award another $400,000 to more than 20 local businesses, and the 2017 $10K and $100K finalists have just been named. Congrats, business owners!  We’re rooting for you!

This free accelerator program is expanding to Detroit
gBETA is a program of nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor. gBETA is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. According to their website, they’re expanding to Detroit. While applications for the accelerator are now closed, Gener8tor will likely “have more news” about its presence in Detroit in the coming weeks.

Detroit celebrated its seventh annual Detroit Design Festival
The Detroit Detroit Design Festival is programmed by the Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3). This year’s festival showcased how design in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and the products and services we use everyday can impact the way society functions.

You can now get goodies from Detroit-based small businesses delivered to your doorstep
Detroit’s Build Institute introduced their Holiday Limited Edition Build Box to the masses. Order a box to support local entrepreneurs, and gift it to a friend or loved one who knows a thoughtful, high-quality gift when they see one.

Subscribe to our blog to get startup news delivered to your inbox once a month.

Want your news item or event featured on next month’s roundup of Detroit startup events and news? We’re in! Just shoot us an email (support@repurpose.co) and we’ll cover your story here or on one of our social accounts.