Image divided in three sections by white diagonal lines, with each section featuring images of Detroit small business owners

Get Involved for Business Owners

Receiving Assistance

Detroit small business owners can receive immediate, short-term assistance by:

To receive more in-depth assistance by working with a University of Michigan student team, please complete the following:

  • Step 1: Fill out the client intake form here so we can learn more about your business & needs. (Note: form not available on phone, fill out on tablet/computer)
  • Step 2: Once you have filled out the client intake form, meet with our Program & Business Development Manager, Siobhan [sha von] Barrett for an intake appointment. Schedule here (Scroll until you see an open slot) 

Note: Because some DNEP services are offered through U-M’s fall or winter classes while other DNEP services are offered through DNEP’s summer internship program, the range of services available depends on time of year and number of openings.

Client Testimonials

Farmacy Food owner Kwaku Osei leaning against his restaurant kitchen countertop

Farmacy Food

Working with the U-M DNEP is almost like having a SWAT Team of talented individuals with diverse skill sets coming together to help you address your biggest challenges and develop new strategies. – Kwaku Osei

Darryl Humes, Owner of Mature

Mature

As an upcoming business what’s most valuable is to have resources and support systems in place. U-M has been a part of our support system and continues to help our business grow in many functional areas. – Darryl Humes

Lee Gaddis, founder of Gaddis Gaming, leaning over a table with games

Gaddis Gaming

The information and help that the legal students provided us was invaluable and we now have intellectual property protection for all of our products! And, we understand how to take care of this process for future growth. – Lee Gaddies

Fahrenheit 313 Team

Fahrenheit 313

The students that I worked with in the Ross School of Business were very talented and they brought a fresh perspective to my business model that I did not even realize I needed. I was blown away by the recommendations they gave for my business and I began to implement some of them immediately. – Fred Paul

AGI Construction

AGI Construction

It has been a great experience working with DNEP and students. We are providing entrepreneur grit and experience, and in return the students are learning and contributing solutions beyond the textbook and their classroom and are strengthening Detroit businesses. – Tanya Saldivar-Ali

Sweet Dreamz Creamery owner holding up large display check

Sweet Dreamz Creamery

It is great to work with U-M students. The team provided creative advice and they understood the latest trends in marketing. – Carla Quarm