Anna Fifelski

1 week ago | crainsdetroit.com | Anna Fifelski

A new program from Wayne State University and its entrepreneurship and business development arm, TechTown Detroit, aims to help college students found startup companies by helping to cover part of their housing costs. Students and recent graduates with startups that apply could be selected to live in the Hacker House, a residential accelerator program where students will live and collaborate on their projects through minimum viable product validation.

1 week ago | crainsgrandrapids.com | Anna Fifelski

A new report shows Michigan ranks ninth-best in the country among states investing in research and development, but lags in access to early and growth-stage funding, talent and its business ecosystem. Business Leaders for Michigan released its Innovation Economy Scorecard on Thursday, an analysis and assessment of aspects of the state’s innovation economy.

2 weeks ago | crainsdetroit.com | Anna Fifelski

The city of Detroit’s senior executive for development and economic transformation, Luke Polcyn, is one of two awardees of a prestigious fellowship that focuses on strengthening U.S. ties with Canada. Fellowship awardees receive a stipend of $120,000 for the 12-month duration of the fellowship, during which recipients will contribute to ongoing projects at the Council on Foreign Relations by researching and writing on policy-relevant issues.

2 weeks ago | crainsdetroit.com | Anna Fifelski

Four people are facing criminal charges for their alleged participation in a $63 million scheme that involved stealing checks from the mail and selling them online, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday. Jaiswan Williams, 31, of Rochester Hills, Dequan Foreman, 30, of Eastpointe, Vanessa Hargrove, 39, of Detroit, and Crystal Jenkins, 31, of Detroit, were charged with conspiracy to aid and abet bank and wire fraud.

2 weeks ago | crainsdetroit.com | Anna Fifelski

A Detroit-based tech meetup for creatives and entrepreneurs is getting funding to expand. Black Tech Saturdays is receiving a $1 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which co-founders Johnnie and Alexa Turnage plan to use to grow its model across the state. The organization works to close the racial wealth gap through inclusive tech-focused initiatives like pitch competitions, small group classes and panel discussions.