Revving Detroit's Economic Recovery TechTown unveils second round of in-depth entrepreneurial training By popular demand, TechTown is launching a second session of its highly popular business conference, "FastTrac to the Future: The First Day of Your Entrepreneurial Adventure," featuring as keynote speaker Chris Gardner, inspiring entrepreneur and bestselling author.
In June, demand for the "FastTrac to the Future" training so surpassed expectations that TechTown is set to host a second session, Saturday, July 25th, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Wayne State's Community Arts Auditorium. The July 25 session is fully booked with more than 500 registered attendees, and registration for a third and final session, planned for August 18th, is now open.
 TechTown receives international honor for Soft Landings site The National Business Incubation Association has awarded the NBIA Soft Landings International Incubator designation to TechTown, Wayne State University's business incubator and research park in Detroit.
"Through its Soft Landings program, NBIA recognizes incubators that are especially capable of helping nondomestic companies enter the incubator's domestic market. TechTown was selected for the program because of its slate of business services for nondomestic firms and its demonstrated success at helping firms enter the U.S. market," said Randy Morris, NBIA director of membership.
SmartStart celebrates first round of admissions with 25 innovative startups  This month SmartStartconcluded its first admission cycle with 25 innovative Detroit startup companies. SmartStart is a business development program that works with startups to meet them where they are and help them grow to the next level. There are approximately 50 companies enrolled in the program now, bringing the SmartStart team closer to its goal of supporting 400 promising Detroit startups at a time.
"We're really excited to have a new cohort of companies join TechTown and the SmartStart family," said Ebony Johnson, SmartStart support leader. "It's a diverse group of companies looking to innovate in their industries."
TechTown staff grows by four this summer Four staff members--Nichole Christian, Faris Alami, Nancy Cappola and Henry Argasinski--join TechTown's ranks this summer to enhance its business support services and marketing communications.
Trade North America Conference coming to Detroit in SeptemberLearn about business opportunities with top trading partners Last year, the United States exported more than $385 billion in products and services to Canada and Mexico. Grow your business with America's top trading partners by joining TechTown at the U.S. Commercial Service Trade North America Conference, September 9-10 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. TechTown is a sponsor of the event, and TechTown's executive director Randal Charlton will speak at a session about university resources for trade in North America.
In the News Recent business development headlines for your perusal include coverage of TechTown's landmark entrepreneurship initiave, FastTrac to the Future, and an announcement of a $500,000 Wayne County grant for logistics startups at TechTown.
Press ReleasesTechTown tenant closes the tap on carbon emissions with Delta faucets Carbon Credit Environmental Services (CCES) will provide a life cycle analysis for Masco Corporation's Delta Faucet Company Products Division in Jackson, Tennessee, in a partnership effective July 27. CCES will compare the carbon footprints of two Delta kitchen faucets, focusing on the emission levels, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of the products' composition, manufacture and use.
"We're very pleased about this partnership with Delta," said CCES President Mike Dolkowski. "We hope to show that CCES has the capabilities to perform product analyses for many types of companies."
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|  | Make the Leap: Explore why China should be your next trading partner
Sponsored by Corp! magazine
August 11, 2009
at 9:00 a.m.
Come to the August meeting of the Chinese Business Forum to learn why your company should make the leap and trade with China. TechTown hosts this free quarterly forum designed to help entrepreneurs make the most of opportunities in the East. Created by TechTown in conjunction with the Wayne State University Confucius Institute, the Chinese Business Forum facilitates the exchange of information and business opportunities between Southeastern Michigan and China.Click here for more information.
EISEM Entrepreneur's Forum
August 13, 2009
at 8:00 a.m.
The Entrepreneurial Initiative of Southeast Michigan (EISEM) forum is featuring keynote speaker John Sigmund Gilmour, an entrepreneurial information technology leader currently representing Microsoft as a platform strategy advisor. EISEM is a series of programs that works to highlight entrepreneurs and their businesses and further develop their message to reach customers and investors. Presenting companies include CYJ Enterprises, Mind Energy Biofuels and Diversity Education and Employment Network.Click here for more information.
TiE-Detroit: Myths and Realities of Entrepreneurship in Clean Tech
July 23, 2009
at 5:00 p.m.
Join TiE-Detroit for an evening program at the Engineering Society of Detroit headquarters in Southfield this week for networking and a keynote speech from Bharat Desai on the myths and realities surrounding entrepreneurship in clean tech. Desai is a billionaire Indian American entrepreneur and co-founder of Syntel. He serves as director of ExpenseAdvisor and Cyberstate.Click here for more information.
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