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About Us

Born in Detroit - Build Institute - 2012

Great Ideas Start With BUILD

We help people turn their business ideas into reality by providing them with the necessary tools, resources, and support network in Detroit. To date, we have graduated over 2600+ aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs from our classes, many of whom have gone on to start successful businesses in the city. In addition to classes, we offer networking events, mentorship, connections to resources and a nurturing community that allows ideas to develop and flourish over time. With a little support, a lot of hard work, and a friendly nudge, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running. Do you have an idea? Want to be your own boss? Dream of starting a business? Join us and get building!

History

BUILD was started in January 2012 as a program of D:hive, a welcome center and resource hub located downtown. The classes, called BUILD Basics, are based on national standards for entrepreneurship education. The first class in Detroit was offered in the spring of 2012 and since then demand has grown tremendously. Classes are now offered every season and have expanded beyond the core curriculum to include BUILD Social Impact, Co.Starters, and BUILD Grow, with classes offered in the City of Detroit, Metro Detroit, and beyond.

Mission

As passionate thought leaders, our mission at BUILD Institute is to empower people to launch ideas and grow businesses. With a primary focus on under-represented and under-resourced community businesses, we provide access to an equitable (w)holistic support system for ideators and early-stage business owners. We offer a safe and diverse co-working and meeting space. We can provide early-stage capital, continuous education, and access to customers. Head-quartered in Detroit, we serve Detroiters, other cities in Michigan, and we now have a national footprint.

Vision

We are a diverse culture with a creative and flexible work environment. Whether in the office or on the moon, we are leaning into support for small businesses. We believe that small businesses are the anchors for community revitalization and quality of life. We exist to strengthen the under-represented and under-resourced microbusiness community. We provide support with state-of-the-art entrepreneurial education, capital access, and expert resources, tailored for sustainability and growth. One business at a time, our impact will result in vibrant commercial corridors in every neighborhood, where people love, live, work, and play. We envision a world revitalized through entrepreneurial success – built one person and one micro-business idea at a time.

Our Team

Aaron Jackson

Executive Director

Aaron W. Jackson is a dedicated leader committed to expanding economic opportunity, unlocking capital, and building ecosystems where entrepreneurs can thrive. With more than 17 years of experience in economic development, finance, and entrepreneurship, he has developed innovative models that connect community, financial, and academic partners to support historically underrepresented business owners.

As Executive Director of Build Institute, Aaron focuses on scaling inclusive programming, strengthening alum engagement, and growing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in ownership, innovation, and long-term impact. Before joining Build, he directed the Michigan Good Food Fund at the Fair Food Network, a $30 million public-private partnership that supports food and farm entrepreneurs across Michigan. In that role, he helped unlock more than $6 million in investments through creative capital tools and launched statewide technical assistance programs. His earlier work includes leading the University of Michigan’s Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project, designing entrepreneurship curricula for adults and high school students with disabilities through Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and publishing research on digital equity in small business with Scaffolding Digital Engagement Among Underserved Minority Businesses.

Aaron is an ardent supporter of community service and mentorship, a certified etiquette instructor with more than a decade of experience, teaching youth, professionals, and athletes that interpersonal skills are just as essential as technical expertise. His leadership and impact have been recognized with the Michigan Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Award, the Transformative 25 Award in impact investing, and a Wayne County Commission Resolution for excellence in economic development. He holds a B.S. and an MBA in International Business, as well as a Juris Doctor in Law. He is a recent graduate of Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program.

Beyond his professional achievements, Aaron is a lifelong learner and a creative individual, having trained as a classically trained violinist and aspired to become a Master Sommelier.

Marlin Williams

VP of Operations

Marlin Williams is a consummate entrepreneur, coach, and C-Suite executive with 25+ years of experience at the intersection of economic development, technology, and organizational development.

As an economic development thought leader, Marlin has coached and mentored thousands of entrepreneurs to start, grown, and scale their businesses. As the inaugural Chief Program Office at Tech Town Detroit Marlin created the city’s first inclusion-based tech accelerator focused on founders in the ideation and validation phase of their entrepreneurial journey. The award winning “Start Studio Discovery” Program continues to help hundreds of founders and has also expanded to an MVP Program.

Marlin’s extensive corporate and consulting career has spanned from serving as a COO, CHRO, and Global diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. Marlin has served as a the inaugural DEI Officer for two fortune 500 organizations and a unicorn start-up where she was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation of each initiative. Marlin’s work has been recognized globally and she is also the author of “Hard Reset: Framing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the New Normal. Marlin also had the honor to serve as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the city of Detroit, successfully coordinating the technology behind Super Bowl XL.

As a two-time tech founder, Marlin utilizes her organization Sisters Code and the Highland Park Hub to empower women to explore the world of coding and offering technical assistance to entrepreneurs. Within it’s 10-year history, Sisters Code has serviced thousands of individuals and organizations in technology, mobility, and entrepreneurship. Most recently launching a food + mobility accelerator to solve for food deserts and food insecurity.

Marlin is currently the Founder of The Early Career Network, a platform for individuals with 0-3 years of work experience interested in starting, growing and thriving in their professional and personal lives. Marlin has also recently been named Interim COO of Build Institute, an entrepreneurial center in Detroit providing small business owners with tools, resources and support.

A sought-after author and speaker Marlin has presented at SXSW, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, TEDx, Black Enterprise, MSNBC, Techonomy, Tom Joyner Foundation, Yes We Code, Meeting of the Minds, and more.

Marisa Launstein

 Programs Director

Marisa Launstein is the Programs Director at BUILD Institute. Marisa is a graduate from the University of Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and German, and her Master of Social Work with a specialization in Management and Leadership and Policy and Political Social Work. Before joining BUILD Institute, Marisa worked in a variety of different programs at the Detroit Regional Chamber, including the Detroit Promise, a program providing full college scholarships to Detroit high school graduates, and Let’s Detroit, a talent attraction and retention program for young professionals.

Marisa is an equity-driven professional with a deep passion for the Detroit community. At BUILD Institute, she focuses on ensuring equitable access to educational resources for under-represented and under-resourced small business owners through BUILD’s programming. She plays an integral role in streamlining processes for designing, implementing, and evaluating BUILD’s programs for continued growth and scale. Outside of BUILD, Marisa also serves as a figure skating coach for Figure Skating in Detroit, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young girls grow in confidence, leadership, and academic achievement. 

Noah Kaminsky

Programs and Marketing Manager

Noah Kaminsky is the Programs and Marketing Manager at BUILD Institute. Noah grew up in metro Detroit and spent his formative years experiencing Detroit through arts, volunteerism, and music. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in environmental science and urban planning, he moved to Detroit to begin his professional life doing work in environmental advocacy and community development. At one point, Noah worked for D:hive, the Detroit resource hub where the concept for BUILD Institute was incubated and launched. After several years working in small business development, music education, and for various non-profits around the city, Noah decided to pursue his MBA in Marketing from Wayne State University.

Noah brings his expertise in event management, small business development, and community BUILDING to BUILD. He finds great satisfaction in helping passionate Detroit entrepreneurs develop their dreams and ideas into sustainable businesses.

Sydney Embry

Programs Coordinator

Sydney Embry is a dynamic business development professional with a passion for entrepreneurship, economic mobility, and community impact. She has spent the last several years championing access to entrepreneurial resources across the DMV area: working closely with organizations like the DC Small Business Development Center, the PNC Center for Entrepreneurship, and the HU Entrepreneurial Society to support emerging founders and community-based ventures. During her time at Howard University, Sydney helped lead campus-wide programming that connected students with funding, mentorship, and creative tools to bring their ideas to life.

As a past multi-time business owner herself, Sydney brings firsthand insight into the entrepreneurial journey, having launched and operated several ventures ranging from digital services to social impact initiatives. With a degree in Business Management and a concentration in Entrepreneurship, she pairs her formal education with real-world experience in nonprofit development, marketing strategy, and corporate citizenship. Her work spans both grassroots and corporate spaces, from contributing to economic mobility initiatives at Ally Financial to supporting youth-centered nonprofits across Detroit.

Over the past year, Sydney has been reconnecting with her hometown, working with organizations such as General Motors, The Youth Connection, and the Lawn Academy to increase visibility, expand impact, and contribute to Detroit’s new era of innovation. Now, she’s excited to bring her experience to BUILD; helping grow Detroit’s ecosystem of entrepreneurs, changemakers, and community leaders.

Our Impact

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