Woodbridge Bikes and Coffee: The story of partnership through BUILD


August 31, 2015

For many of our graduates, BUILD Institute is a place to toss around a business idea, find support in an entrepreneurial environment, and get connected to a network of doers that welcome collaboration. For some, BUILD becomes the place where they found exactly what they needed to launch their idea – a business partner. Jonathon …more

Read more

Kiva Zip’s Impact: Three borrowers share their experience, growth, and success


Kiva Zip, a 0% interest, crowdfunded micro-loan program, has been in Detroit for 3 years and has had tremendous positive impact on small business owners. This program, now powered by BUILD Institute,  fills a gap in Detroit for entrepreneurs trying to access capital to take their business to the next level, and creates community where individuals …more

Read more

Embracing Human Nature: Entrepreneurship


August 19, 2015

It’s a funny thing about humans, our propensity to be natural-born problem solvers. We constantly want to fix things, to improve and make them better. This past year I’ve learned that’s why so many of the people moving to or staying in Detroit have intentionally done so. Detroit is a place full of problems that …more

Read more

Forward Cities Featured Post from BUILD’s Executive Director April Boyle


August 17, 2015

“When I first heard of Forward Cities and their goals of advancing minority ownership and commercial corridor redevelopment I was over the moon with excitement, as these are the key tenants of our work at BUILD Institute.  I was able to attend the very first convening in New Orleans in December 2014 and was taken …more

Read more

Sidewalk Ventures: Are you ready to start raising community-based investment for your business?


August 11, 2015

“Seeking community-based investment is exciting. With the right team in place, it can be relatively user-friendly and easy to understand, but it still involves asking people to take real financial risk with you. There will be some serious issues to address and information to provide. You’re an entrepreneur, so you’re probably a doer and you like to get …more

Read more

Lapel Bar: From running a family business to opening my own


August 10, 2015

Think about it, it’s pretty safe to say that we as people have encountered someone that has said the words “I hate my job.” But typically, these same individuals that create these harsh statements rarely find themselves leaving this particular job of theirs until something pushes them over the boiling point. No, this is not …more

Read more