The organizers behind the TechArb are gearing up to start the next session of the University of Michigan student tech incubator this summer.
This will be TechArb's eighth session, and its second at its new space on West Liberty near the Michigan Theater. Each session last six months and start-ups can stay a maximum of two sessions. Organizers are currently picking which start-ups will make the cut and expect to welcome 22-25 teams in May.
"We really emphasize community building," says Moses Lee, assistant director of student ventures for the
Center for Entrepreneurship at U-M. "The summer is a great time for the students to work together and to get to know each other."
Abut half of those start-ups will be tech-oriented with another larger percentage dealing in tech-like sectors such as healthcare. TechArb's leaders are trying to diversify their focus, welcoming in a variety of business venture ideas. One of the more out-of-the-box examples is a food cart-oriented start-up.
TechArb is also working to step up its mentoring opportunities with alumni of the student incubator who will provide advice and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs. It is also working to facilitate the entrepreneurial dreams of students looking to explore a business idea with its TechArb Ideas program. This joins a new program for entrepreneurs who have already taken steps to create a product prototype or work to get a business off the ground called TechArb Ventures.
Source: Moses Lee, assistant director of student ventures for the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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