The following information was provided by the presenters at our Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce B.I.G event on February 27, 2018:
April Boyle, Founder and Executive Director, Build Institute
Build Institute is an idea activator and small business accelerator focused on access and equity. As a network of grassroots programs we assist people in turning in their project or business ideas into a reality by providing the necessary tools, education, and support network to get started and thrive. This video captures our spirit!
We’ve hit some amazing milestones:
- 6 years of small business activation and support with participants from over 100 zip codes with our participants being 70% women and 60% people of color
- 10 years of Open City forums with thousands of attendees
- 1400 graduates with over 350 businesses and 500 jobs created or retained
- Winner of the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award
- $175,450 in funding to 30 entrepreneurs through Kiva Detroit and over $2million in funding through our partnerships with Motor City Match, Hatch Detroit, NEIdeas, Detroit Demo days and more
Check us out in the news: