Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project

News

DNEP Partner Profile: Jefferson East Inc. fosters growth in five neighborhoods

Oct 18, 2023

The nonprofit organization Jefferson East Inc. grew out of a grassroots effort in the early 1990s to bring retail development to Detroit's Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. The organization is still working today to support residents and...

News

Ford School teams receive Boost support from U-M Bold Challenges Initiative

Sep 6, 2023

Three research teams with Ford School affiliations have been selected among eight programs across the U-M campus to participate in the first cycle of the Bold Challenges Initiative's newly-launched Boost program. The Boost program supports new and...

Ford School teams receive Boost support from U-M Bold Challenges Initiative

In the Media

DNEP tech worker training saluted in Detroit Free Press

May 26, 2023 Detroit Free Press

Detroit Free Press: A unique free program that pairs college students and professionals with Detroit small business owners in need of digital and other skills is getting results. Since the start of the Community Tech Workers program, 135 micro...

DNEP tech worker training saluted in Detroit Free Press

News

DNEP's summer internship program kicks off May 8th with 15 interns

Apr 28, 2023

In just two weeks, the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project’s summer internship program, +Impact Studio for Local Business (DNEP+ISLB), will kickoff, training 15 interns to consult for a select portfolio of Detroit small business owners....

Photo of summer interns with Ross Professor Chris Mueller

News

Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project Courses

Nov 18, 2022

Each semester, the CFLP’s Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project recruits hundreds of Detroit small businesses to work with U-M students in course-long projects that address business’ legal, financial, operational, marketing, or design...

News

28 business owners begin marketing projects with U-M students

Sep 19, 2022

A new cohort of businesses, mostly from Detroit’s east side, began work with U-M Ross students in Prof. Amy Angell’s marketing class, Consumer Behavior, this month. Businesses include restaurants, a mobile grocery store, retailers, a local...

News

Detroit small businesses can better access free U-M resources through new CFLP website

Sep 9, 2022

The University of Michigan’s Center on Finance, Law, and Policy (CFLP) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website specifically for the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP). The new site showcases the full breadth of programming...

Detroit small businesses can better access free U-M resources through new CFLP website

News

CFLP welcomes Kathryn Dominguez as new co-faculty director

Aug 29, 2022

The Center on Finance, Law & Policy (CFLP) welcomes international economist Kathryn Dominguez as its new co-faculty director. Professor Dominguez joins Ross School of Business assistant professor Jeremy Kress as co-director. She replaces CFLP...

CFLP welcomes Kathryn Dominguez as new co-faculty director

News

U-M students put skills to work through summer internship program, helping Detroit communities

Aug 24, 2022

Each summer many students scramble for the chance to gain work experience through an internship, happy to get even one company or business to bite. But for Samantha Lang, a junior in the Ford School of Public Policy, the summer was rich with...

U-M students put skills to work through summer internship program, helping Detroit communities

News

Stamps students join Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project

Jul 12, 2022

Students from the University of Michigan's Penny Stamps School of Art and Design spent a part of their summer in the city of Detroit, gaining valuable experience as interns in the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP) + Impact Studio for...

Stamps students join Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project

News

DNEP +ISLB intern, Samantha Lang, shares experience

Jun 1, 2022

Throughout my life, I never thought of myself as a numbers person. Yet, with my goal being to pursue consulting after I receive my Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the Ford School, I knew I wanted (and needed) to improve that “not a numbers...

DNEP +ISLB intern, Samantha Lang, shares experience

In the Media

New Economy Initiative Awards Grant to DNEP to support Detroit Minority-owned businesses

Mar 21, 2022 NEI Grants

NEI granted the Center on Finance Law & Policy $55k to support DNEP's ongoing operations. The Inclusive Small Business Support Network Fund is designed to provide reliable operating support to small business support organizations (BSOs) to...

News

DNEP cited as U-M is rated #8 in the country for "Best Undergrad Programs for Entrepreneurs"

Dec 7, 2021

The Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP), which brings together small businesses with University of Michigan students, faculty and staff to solve business owners’ legal, financial, marketing, operational, and design challenges, was...

DNEP cited as U-M is rated #8 in the country for "Best Undergrad Programs for Entrepreneurs"

Small Business of the Week

Small Business of the Week: Farmacy Food

Dec 3, 2021

Farmacy Food strives to empower and support people by making health and wellness accessible and affordable. They take into account your personal dietary needs and create great tasting meals for you with high quality, locally-sourced...

Small Business of the Week

Small Business of the Week: Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails

Nov 12, 2021

Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails is a Detroit restaurant with delicious food and drinks. They offer exquisite dinner and brunch menus and a selection of signature cocktails and mocktails. Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails also hosts special occasions and corporate...

Small Business of the Week

Small Business of the Week: Hot Sam's Detroit

Nov 5, 2021

Hot Sam’s Detroit is the oldest men’s clothing store in Downtown Detroit. They are your one-stop for all of your men’s fashion needs. Hot Sam’s has a resilient history, dating back to 1921. They are celebrating their 100th year of business this...

Small Business of the Week

Small Business of the Week: The Congregation Detroit

Oct 29, 2021

The Congregation Detroit is more than a cafe, it's a community space with an amazing history. Inside a restored historic church, The Congregation offers a full coffee and bar experience with lite food. They even host community events too, including...

Small Business of the Week

Small Business of the Week: SpaceLab Detroit

Oct 22, 2021

Space Lab Detroit is a collaborative shared work environment, with a goal of inspiring creativity, innovation and collaboration in the built-environment community. In collaboration with business professionals and entrepreneurs, SpaceLab Detroit has...

News

Small Business of the Week: Luxe Skin Therapy

Oct 1, 2021

Luxe Skin Therapy offers a luxurious and therapeutic selection of handcrafted skincare, bath, and body products. Started by owner and founder Shar Berry in 2019 to create effective and beautiful skin care solutions, Luxe Skin Therapy now offers a...

News

Small Business of the Week: Detroit Sip

Sep 24, 2021

Detroit Sip is a coffee shop and community space started by owner Jevona Watson in 2016. Everything served at Detroit Sip is Detroit-made. There you can find delicious locally roasted coffees and loose leaf teas, as well as a variety of local foods...

News

Small Business of the Week: AKOMA Detroit

Sep 17, 2021

AKOMA Detroit is a cooperative gallery supporting and featuring the work of Black women artists and makers that opened in 2020. AKOMA was started by Mandasi Smith as a continuation of the traditions of her former project, Detroit Fiber Works, to...

News

Small Business of the Week: Detroit Soul

Sep 10, 2021

Detroit Soul opened in 2015, and ever since has been cooking and serving not only delicious food, but creating a community with their restaurant. Detroit Soul’s mission goes beyond their food. With every order and every dish, owners Jerome and Sam...

News

U-M awarded grant to support Detroit entrepreneurs in bridging digital divide

Sep 7, 2021

An interdisciplinary team from the University of Michigan was awarded $300,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to train local residents and U-M students to provide one-on-one technology support to Detroit entrepreneurs. The project aims to...

U-M awarded grant to support Detroit entrepreneurs in bridging digital divide

News

DNEP welcomes new program manager Aaron Jackson

Sep 1, 2021

Aaron Jackson has been hired as the new program manager for the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project, the Center on Finance, Law & Policy announced. Aaron comes to the Center on Finance, Law, & Policy from Warren Galloway & Associates,...

News

Detroit’s small business owners see summer boost through entrepreneurs project

Aug 22, 2021

Working through a pandemic has been stressful enough for Detroit’s small-business community. Finding enough time, energy and talent to expand their companies through innovative programs, social media or new strategy has been doubly difficult. But a...

Applying academic skills to real-world business challenges

News

First person: Learning from Detroit businesses and fellow students

Aug 12, 2021

This article was written by Michael Willard, BBA Ross School of Business/BA LSA ’23 This summer, I am one of 31 interns working in the University of Michigan Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project +Impact Studio for Local Business. The interns...

First person: Learning from Detroit businesses and fellow students

News

Applying academic skills to real-world business challenges

Jun 29, 2021

Small businesses in Detroit, as across the country, have had to make major adjustments to survive the COVID-19 pandemic economic downturn. A cadre of students from U-M have been able to work with many of these businesses through an internship...

News

New co-directors at CFLP expand its work in financial inclusion

May 4, 2021

The Center on Finance, Law & Policy (CFLP) has expanded its leadership structure by naming Adrienne Harris and Jeremy Kress as Co-Faculty Directors to serve alongside Dean Michael S. Barr, who co-founded the center in 2013. Professors Harris and...

New co-directors at CFLP expand its work in financial inclusion

News

Report leads to additional $5M investment in Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Rehabbed & Ready program

Apr 22, 2021

The Detroit Land Bank Authority’s (DLBA) Rehabbed & Ready program received good news recently in the form of a joint $5M new investment from the Rocket Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of Quicken Loans' Rocket Mortgage, and the City of Detroit....

Report leads to additional $5M investment in Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Rehabbed & Ready program

CFLP Update

Leveling up to support local businesses

Apr 8, 2021

One year into the pandemic, small businesses need help more than ever. If you ask someone what they love about a neighborhood, it’s almost inevitable that they are going to mention a favorite local restaurant or shop, bookstore, or salon. Many...