Invest Detroit

Congratulations to Chris Rizik, Invest Detroit Board Member and Chair of the ID Ventures Investment Council, on receiving the prestigious Venture Vanguard Award from the National Venture Capital Association! This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to transforming the venture capital landscape and driving America’s growth and success. Chris’s visionary leadership has shaped the Midwest’s startup ecosystem, connected underserved regions to national investors, and elevated Michigan’s role in innovation. We are proud to have Chris’s expertise and dedication as part of our Invest Detroit family. This well-deserved recognition highlights his lasting impact on our industry and community! #InvestDetroit #VentureCapital #MidwestInnovation #ChrisRizik #NVCA #VentureVanguardAward

Mocktails, community, and a vision brought to life—Mockery Zero Proof is officially open on Detroit’s west side! As Detroit’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop, Mockery is more than just a bar—it’s reshaping rituals and redefining social experiences. Located in a Strategic Neighborhood Fund (SNF) development led by Chase Cantrell and Jason Headen, Mockery Zero Proof is a testament to the power of local investment and visionary entrepreneurship. Founder Karlyta Williams is proving that Detroit is full of dreamers, doers, and change-makers. At the ribbon-cutting, Jermaine Ruffin, SVP of Neighborhoods, celebrated the impact of SNF in bringing transformative businesses to the community. Six Mile is rising, and this is just the beginning! 📍 Mockery Zero Proof | 7400 W McNichols Rd

In case you missed it, here's a quick video that captures the electricity in the air at the La Joya Garden's ribbon cutting. Thanks to intentional partnerships and the voices of over 200 Southwest Detroit residents, La Joya Gardens is now a thriving, community-led development — 53 residential units (42 affordable!), 6,000+ square feet of retail space, and a model for sustainable, inclusive growth. This is what happens when we invest in people first. This is more than building apartments. Detroit is creating opportunities, preserving culture, and setting a national example. Huge thanks to Southwest Detroit Business Association, Cinnaire, the City of Detroit, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and the partners for making this work possible. And an even bigger thanks to the residents who shaped this vision from the ground up. Let’s keep proving that Detroit does development differently. #detroit #community #development #southwest

Detroit’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop and tasting room is officially open! Mockery Zero Proof, founded by native Detroiter Karlyta Williams, offers crafted zero-proof cocktails and a curated selection of nonalcoholic beers, wines, and spirits. At yesterday's ribbon-cutting, Jermaine Ruffin, SVP of Neighborhoods at Invest Detroit, highlighted the impact of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund (SNF) in supporting innovative businesses like Mockery that enhance and activate Detroit’s neighborhoods. Located at 7400 W McNichols Rd, Mockery Zero Proof opened in a development led by Chase Cantrell and Jason Headen, made possible through SNF’s commitment to strengthening local communities.

Our SVP of Operations & Policy at Invest Detroit, Jennifer Hayes is bringing her expertise to the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s latest series, kicking off ahead of The Venture Equity Summit. This session will explore how public-private partnerships in Michigan and Florida are making a real impact for underrepresented entrepreneurs—an issue that’s at the heart of our work at Invest Detroit. We’re proud to see Jenn share her insights and champion the power of collaborative innovation on a national stage. Don’t miss this conversation!

La Joya means "The Jewel," and today, Southwest Detroit gains a new gem! This transformative development will shine as a beacon of community, culture, and opportunity, bringing together local residents, businesses, and partners to create something truly special. The long-awaited transformation of a vacant lot into a vibrant, mixed-use development is finally here! La Joya Gardens brings 53 residential units, including 42 affordable apartments, and over 6,000 square feet of retail space including its first retail tenant, Café Clark, a locally owned coffee shop that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of Southwest Detroit. “Through the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, we were able to amplify the voices of over 200 local residents, ensuring that their insights and aspirations shaped every aspect of this development.” - Maureen Icke-Anway, Senior VP of Impact at Invest Detroit From the project’s name to its design, local residents played a key role in shaping what La Joya would become. La Joya Gardens isn’t just about buildings—it’s about community, culture, and opportunity. This work would not be possible without the collaboration of organizations Southwest Detroit Business Association, Cinnaire Solutions, the City of Detroit, MSHDA, and many others. Let’s continue building a thriving, inclusive neighborhood where long-time residents and new neighbors alike can flourish.  #LaJoyaGardens #AffordableHousing #SouthwestDetroit #CommunityDrivenDevelopment #InvestDetroit #SDBA #CinnaireSolutions

With $60M to fuel our entrepreneurial ecosystem, we're building a future where Michigan startups can thrive, compete, and lead. This is just one step toward closing the gap and ensuring long-term success for our start-up entrepreneurs. A huge thank you to Crain’s Detroit for covering this important work. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUQVKgFg #MIInnovation #Startups #VentureCapital #InvestDetroit #Entrepreneurship

The Strategic Neighborhood Fund is making a big impact in Grandmont Rosedale. Congratulations to Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation on these two major projects—the opening of The Residence at West Outer Drive and groundbreaking for Minock Park Place—are adding new, affordable housing and revitalized spaces. 📍 The Residence at West Outer Drive: 35 affordable units 📍 Minock Park Place: 42 senior housing units + retail space “The Strategic Neighborhood Fund is creating lasting impact,” said Jermaine Ruffin, Senior VP, Neighborhoods, “These projects provide affordable housing, boost businesses, and create jobs—ensuring Detroiters can thrive.” Since 2016, SNF has invested $262M, transforming communities through housing, business support, and infrastructure improvements. A huge thank you to the partners who helped make these developments possible: Cinnaire Solutions, Ethos Development Group, O’Brien Construction, the City of Detroit, MSHDA, Wayne County, and the State of Michigan. Photos courtesy of City of Detroit

Big news for Michigan's entrepreneurial and innovation economy! Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s signing of the bipartisan Michigan Innovation Fund, allocating $60 million to fuel Michigan innovation, is a game-changer for startups and founders. The Michigan Innovation Fund is a vital step in strengthening our start-up ecosystem, empowering entrepreneurs, and removing the barriers entrepreneurs and business startups face in Michigan due to a lack of early-stage capital. This fund proves Michigan’s commitment to competing globally as a hub for talent and innovation and demonstrates what is possible when we unite around a shared vision for our future. Special thanks to Jennifer Hayes and Patti Glaza for their incredible work in building coalitions and driving this initiative to the finish line alongside Representatives Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores), Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), and Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) and our dedicated coalition members.

We’re Hiring a Small Business Support Coach! Invest Detroit is looking for a passionate Business Support Coach to help our existing and future borrowers grow and thrive through personalized one-on-one coaching sessions and strategic advice! What You’ll Do: - Collaborate with small business clients to assess their financial and operational needs and create action plans for growth. - Assist with financial planning, budgeting, and cash flow management to improve profitability and guide informed decisions. - Help clients set and achieve SMART goals with regular check-ins and accountability. - Analyze operations to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and boost efficiency. - Provide marketing and sales strategy advice tailored to each business's target audience. - Build relationships with banks and financial institutions to improve access to funding. - Deliver financial education workshops on topics like budgeting and loan readiness. - Stay updated on industry trends and connect clients to resources, mentors, and opportunities. Why Join Us? You’ll make a real difference in Detroit’s small business community, empowering historically underserved entrepreneurs and fostering an equitable business ecosystem. Full Job Description and Details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e4qvTjs3... Apply on Linkedin: https://lnkd.in/eGCh2N-r