Four segmented photos with blue and yellow tints: the inside of a restaurant, two business owners in white lab coats standing back to back smiling, the storefront of a hair salon, and two business owners sitting together smiling

Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project

The University of Michigan’s Small Business Hub for Detroit Entrepreneurs, Powered by supervised U-M Students

Learn how to Become a DNEP Client Learn how to Become a Student Professional Service Provider

DNEP provides U-M students with transformative professional experience and empowers entrepreneurs to build self-reliant businesses,
so both can create lasting impact.

business owner DaNita looks at a laptop with U-M student Alex

YEAR ROUND, IN-PERSON, FREE

Build Your Financial Acumen

Every successful business starts with a strong financial foundation. Start by completing DNEP’s CFO Boot Camp, then apply what you learned by meeting 1-on-1 with our Accounting Consultants, through our Free Accounting Fridays program.

Get Free Accounting Support

black man sits at a table looking on while black woman entepreneur smiles wide with her hand over laptop

YEAR ROUND, IN-PERSON, FREE

Use Tech to Grow Your Business

Tech-integrated businesses grow faster and make more money. Community Tech Consultants at partner orgs Jefferson East, Inc. and Live6 Alliance can meet with you 1-on-1 to help you choose software and teach you how to use it.

Get Free Technology Training & Advice

client sits in center, surrounded by her student team

FALL & WINTER SEMESTERS, VIRTUAL

Request a Team of Consultants

As businesses grow, they encounter new challenges that require specialized expertise. Find out how you can scope your issue into a class project that could be assigned to a team of U-M students, working under faculty supervision.

Learn about our Strategic Consulting Services

Interested in becoming a DNEP client?

Fill out the Business Intake form to get started
DNEP is able to offer our high-quality professional services to Detroit-based small businesses at NO CHARGE to entrepreneurs because of the financial and in-kind support provided by multiple units within the University of Michigan and by our philanthropic and community partners, including the National Science Foundation, the New Economy Initiative, The Kresge Foundation, Invest Detroit Foundation, Grandmont Rosesdale Development Corporation, and the Michigan Accountancy Foundation.