Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit
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About Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit
Support tech-based entrepreneurs and early-stage startups through programming, mentorship, prototyping resources, and connections to capital to drive local innovation and economic development.
Focus Areas
technology startupssoftwareproduct-market fitprototype developmentmarket testingfounder coaching and mentorship
Who They Fund
nonprofit organizationssmall businesses
Funding Style
passthrough fundinggeneral operating / non-profit supportcapacity building for organizationstargeted economic development grants
About Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit
Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit centers its grantmaking on tech-based entrepreneurs and early-stage startups, pairing funding with mentorship, prototyping resources, and connections to capital. That pattern shows up in the way the foundation supports business formation and growth in Detroit and Wayne County, rather than funding a broad national portfolio. Its active programs point to hands-on support for startups and small businesses, including the Business Accelerator Fund and the Small Business Support Hub Grant. Recent grants also show a strong civic and neighborhood dimension. The foundation gave $265,000 to Brilliant Detroit in 2024, and it made multiple six-figure grants to Detroit-based organizations such as Freedom House, Detroit Horse Power, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, and A Girl Like Me Inc. Those awards sit alongside passthrough grants and nonprofit support grants, suggesting a mix of direct organizational support and intermediary funding tied to local economic development and community capacity building.
What Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit Funds
Technology commercialization is a clear thread in the foundation’s work. The Business Accelerator Fund is described as smart-zone eligible resources to help a tech business expand, matching the organization’s stated focus on software, product-market fit, prototype development, market testing, and founder coaching. Small business support is another major area. Through the Small Business Support Hub Grant, TechTown Detroit, ProsperUs Detroit, Eastern Market Partnership, Michigan SBDC, and BUILD Institute collaborate to expand free and low-cost resources across Wayne County. The foundation also backs entrepreneurship competitions and business growth programs. Hatch Detroit is a citywide competition with a grand prize of $100,000, while Detroit Elevate offers cash awards of up to $50,000 for established businesses in Wayne County. Together, these programs show a preference for practical, capacity-building support tied to commercialization and local business development.
How Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit Gives
Typical grant sizes are $12,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $35,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also shows a broader operating pattern with some larger passthrough and nonprofit support awards, alongside many grants in the $35,000 to $150,000 range. Several recipients appear more than once across different years, including Class Act Detroit, Garage Cultural, Bulk Space, Brilliant Detroit, and American Indian Health and Family Services, which points to repeat relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation uses passthrough grants and nonprofit support grants as part of its mix, and it also makes program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are not part of the active programs listed.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$4.4M
Total Assets
$20.9M
Total Revenue
$4.8M
Total Expenses
$12.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $12K and $35K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$35K
Geographic Reach
Local3 states funded
About 98% of grants go to recipients in MI.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
EDWARD B STAEBLER
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