PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT 

This application is for the Plan Award Track - Awardees receive one-on-one and group consulting, classes and workshops, and access to technical assistance and professional services for up to 15 entrepreneurs seeking to refine, formalize, and launch a business idea.

 Plan Award. Business idea that needs formalizing and refining before launching:

• Up to 15 awardees may be selected.
• Applicants must be Detroit residents.
• Applicants may be interviewed
• Applicants may be asked to provide basic financial information to provide early indication of financial feasibility. 
• Award selection is subject to approval by the EDC Board of Directors.
• Technical Assistance associated with this award expires 1 year after the date of approval by the EDC Board of Directors  

If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.  

Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);

(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);

(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);

(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;

The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);

(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;

(3) spouses and dependents of

• (a) employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
• (b) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
• (c) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors

Applications must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on April 30th 2025 to be considered for an award.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT 

This application is for the Develop Award Track - awardees receive one-on-one and group consulting, classes and workshops, access to technical assistance and professional services for up to 15 businesses seeking to develop their idea, create a plan for growth, and choose an appropriate location for their next phase of development

Develop Award. A transactional business seeking assistance developing and choosing the right strategy and space for growth:

• Up to 15 awardees may be selected.
• Applicants must be Detroit residents
• Applicants may be interviewed.
• Applicants may be asked to provide basic financial information to provide early indication of financial feasibility.
• Applicants may be asked to provide documentation of revenue and business activity
• Award selection is subject to approval by the EDC Board of Directors.
• Technical Assistance associated with this award expires 1 year after the date of approval by the EDC Board of Directors

If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.

Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);

(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);

(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);

(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;

The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);

(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;

(3) spouses and dependents of

• (a) employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
• (b) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
• (c) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors

Applications must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - to be considered for this award

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT This application is for the Design Award Track - awardees receive one-on-one and group consulting and access to technical assistance and professional services for up to 10 businesses that have secured a location in an existing commercial building, settled on an appropriate growth plan, and need to create a design and program specific to that location.

Design Award. Business owners with a great idea and a great business plan that secured a space but don’t have a plan for tenant improvements:

• Up to 15 finalists may be selected by MCM staff.
• From the 15 finalists, up to 10 awardees may be selected by MCM staff.
• Finalists will be required to do a site visit with MCM staff. 
• Finalist applications will be required to provide the following information: 
• Written business plan 
•  Lease, letter of intent or deed
• Any bids or cost estimates received from trade contractors as the basis for determining build-out needs and progress 
• Financial information to determine feasibility.
• Awardees will be selected based on business application scores and supplemental information received.
• Award selection is subject to approval by the EDC Board of Directors.
• Technical Assistance associated with this award expires 1 year after the date of approval by the EDC Board of Directors

If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.  

Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are: 

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City); 

(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC); 

(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC); 

(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;  

The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations. 

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City); 

(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; 

(3) spouses and dependents of      

• (a) employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;      
• (b) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and      
• (c) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors

Applications must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on April 30, 2025, to be considered for an award.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT 

This application is for the Cash Award Track - cash grants for up to 15 projects that have secured a location in an existing commercial building, completed a business plan, a plan to complete necessary architectural and design drawings, and have a comprehensive project plan with an itemized budget specific to the proposed project location. The maximum grant award is $100,000 per project, the grant average is $50,000. Applicants must demonstrate a financial need and a lack of access to the necessary capital needed to complete the proposed project. Loans are facilitated through Motor City Match lending partners. 

• Up to 25 finalists will be selected by MCM staff.
• From the 25 finalists, up to 15 awardees may be selected 
• Finalists will be introduced to a panel of lenders to facilitate consideration for financial need. 
• Finalists will be required to do a site visit with MCM staff.
• Finalists will be required to submit supplemental materials including but not exclusive to: 
• Written project plan  
• Detailed itemized budget (sources and uses)
• Deed or lease or letter of intent for a minimum of 3 years
• Cost estimates received from trade contractors
• Personal and business financial information
• Loan application and/or proof of funding. 
• Awardees will be selected based on business application scores and supplemental information received.
• Applicants must demonstrate a financial need and lack of access to capital
• A minimum of 10% project equity is mandatory for consideration.
• Award selection is subject to approval by the EDC Board of Directors
• Financial Assistance associated with this award must be accessed through an initial grant disbursement within 1 year of the date of approval by the EDC Board of Directors

If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.  

Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are: 

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City); 

(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC); 

(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC); 

(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;  

The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations. 

(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City); 

(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; 

(3) spouses and dependents of      

• (a) employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;      
• (b) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and      
• (c) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors

Applications must be submitted prior to 11:59pm on April 30, 2025, to be considered for an award.