Over the past few years, Detroit has become known for its gradual city rebirth as commercial and residential infrastructures have been built and many businesses have gained interest in becoming a part of the slow revival of the downtown community. Considering this increase in popularity has become such a center of many young people’s attention, it seems that Detroit is becoming the new breeding ground for young, college grads with fresh minds and ideas. The potential is truly overwhelming—as many young people as there are in downtown Detroit, there are also tons of business plans and ideas swirling around in the minds of these young people. But how do these brilliant ideas become young businesses and start ups? That’s where D:hive and Revolve Detroit come in.nn
Mirroring their name, D:hive is a Detroit-based “hub of resources for people looking to live, engage, or start a business in Detroit.” Focusing on small start-ups D:hive looks to bring new energy to Detroit. Their space, located on Woodward Avenue in the heart of the city, offers a curious perspective for those looking to start their own business. A large chalkboard wall asks visitors what they want from the city of Detroit, offering blank spaces and colorful chalk for any who wishes to share their thoughts. That’s the kind of atmosphere D:hive is providing—one that is really focused on “you.”nn
Though only a year old, D:hive has managed to successfully inspire many young entrepreneurs to pursue their business dreams. Two of their programs BUILD and PILOT offer those interested in pursuing business the incredible opportunity of launching their entrepreneurial career. BUILD, a rapidly growing and in-demand program, is a business and project planning class for anyone interested in learning the foundations of creating a business. For any entrepreneur who has a business idea, BUILD is the perfect way to learn about the details of a business ranging from loans to accounting to marketing. PILOT is the subsequent program to BUILD, as PILOT offers those with solid business proposals the opportunity to turn their business from a paper plan to a reality. PILOT offers the chosen individual two months of rent-free, interior white-box space within the D:hive facility along with a wide variety of perks including $500 stipends towards interior design, free branding consulting and signage. The goal of the PILOT program is to empower young entrepreneurs to take the next step in establishing their business in the permanent capacity of Detroit. What is really unique about the PILOT program is its easy accessibility to anyone who’s interested and its exemplary use of Detroit resources. Additionally, D:hive is giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to test a brick and mortar version of their business risk-free.nn
D:hive works specifically to partner with local companies and do whatever they can to open up local business. As there is so much vacant space in downtown Detroit, the appropriate use of such space would be get young business to move in. And D:hive likes to think regionally as well: its not just about making the downtown area work for Detroit, it’s about making it appeal to the region of Southeast Michigan. As D:hive sees it, Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit are creative and innovative communities that just need to be tended so that they can grow and thrive. D:hive is open to anything, any business—the more creative, the better—and are focused on programming that brings something exciting and new to the city about every two weeks. Ideas happen when there is a density of people, and D:hive believes that by bringing that density of people to a city just on the brink of revival, the city will flourish with innovation.nn
Revolve Detroit also strives to fill the empty retail spaces with the potential the city of Detroit deserves. Working with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), Revolve encourages start-ups and artists to open their brick-and-mortar businesses in Detroit. While DEGC aids businesses in finding a location that suits them in the Detroit area, Revolve tries to fill the city’s empty spaces with with innovative retail and art ventures. One of the most popular images associated with Detroit is that of burned-out buildings and graffiti-covered shambles. Revolve’s motive is to essentially remove this image from Detroit and instead replace it with one of vibrant businesses and local talent.nn
Not only does Revolve match entrepreneurs and artists with vacant spaces that they can transform into retail palaces, but they also collaborate heavily with existing businesses and surrounding neighborhoods, hoping to establish a strong ground upon which success can blossom. Revolve also works with building owners to, not only fill their empty building space, but to also connect them with marketing techniques and real estate resources, helping them to gain as much success in the city as possible. All of this is accomplished through the use of pop-up stores, a tactic that is similar to D:hive’s PILOT program. By offering business owners a temporary space in a vacant location, a bit of the riskiness of business building is eliminated. Not only does this program offer owners the opportunity to adjust their businesses and test out their products, but it also allows them to prove to landlords, potential investors and themselves that their business has the capability to succeed. Revolve Detroit’s use of pop up stores not only changes the visual landscape of the city, but it also changes the discussion surrounding downtown Detroit. With exciting and new business ventures coloring the city, more foot traffic is to be expected as the excitement of fresh innovation and bright ideas tends to attract curious minds eager for a taste of something new and exhilarating.nnIf you’re interested in applying for the D:hive PILOT program click here.nnFor more information on BUILD click here.nn
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Alyssa Adler