For four hours this Tuesday afternoon, fledgling entrepreneurs from metro Detroit can pitch their business visions to people with ability to help.
The setting is a networking event that organizer Stephanie Fries of Wayne State describes as "speed dating on speed," Karen Dybis writes at the Detroit Unspun blog.
The emphasis there is “speed.” You’ll have about two minutes to get your business idea out there, meet some folks and decide whether you’re right for each other. . . .
On Nov. 19, more than 200 newbie entrepreneurs will hang out and learn from groups such as Kiva Detroit, Bizdom, D:hive, Hatch Detroit, Green Garage and Ponyride. It will all happen at the first BizGrid Live!, a free event. . . .
“There is an entrepreneurial community here," says Fries. "There are 50-plus organizations out there that want to help you. . . . You’re not alone.””
It'll be at WSU's McGregor Conference Center and is financed by the New Economy Initiative, a five-year-old project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Its ambitious mission: "To transform the region and build a more diverse economy where jobs and prosperity are available for all by building a network of support for entrepreneurs."
In addition to the two-minute direct pitches, attendees can choose from among four panel discussions on these topics:
- Getting out of your head: How to move your business from idea into action
- How to turn nickels into gold: Creative ways to fund your startup
- Pop-ups to Permits: Real estate for small business
- Data for business decisions: How to understand customers, identify competitors and establish your price
Advance registration is available here. "This free event is open to anyone with a passion or interest in business in Detroit," the signup page says.
