Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

What Detroit Economic Growth Corporation does

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development organization, founded in 1974 and headquartered at 150 W. Jefferson in Detroit, MI. It serves as the City of Detroit's lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction, and economic development, and on the City's behalf manages a portfolio of public authorities including the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (DBRA), Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Detroit New Markets Development Company (D-NMDC), EMWCIA, LDFA, and NDC. The organization is staffed by an estimated 51–100 employees and is led by President & CEO Kevin Johnson, with a bench of senior vice presidents covering Small Business Services and dedicated program directors.

DEGC's core product is a portfolio of grant, advisory, and convening programs rather than a unified software platform. Flagship programs include Motor City Match (a quarterly small-business incubator that has delivered over $21 million in cash grants across 31 rounds and helped leverage $116 million in total investment across 2,315 businesses and 48 neighborhoods), the Detroit Startup Fund (a first-of-its-kind $700,000 municipal startup fund that awarded $300,000 to 13 tech startups in its second round), the Green Grocer Program (food-access grants supporting neighborhood grocery stores), Detroit Means Business (a coalition providing training and technical assistance, transitioning into DEGC's Small Business Services team at end of June), BuyDetroit (an online procurement portal connecting Detroit vendors with contract opportunities), and the Detroit Small Business Technology Fund (a 2026 microgrant initiative delivering $1,000 technology grants — including for AI platforms — to 140 microbusinesses). Delivery is supported by District Business Liaisons embedded in all seven City Council districts and a network of community-based channel partners.

The business model is that of a municipally funded nonprofit economic development organization rather than a revenue-generating software company. DEGC does not charge fees to grantees; it is funded by a combination of City of Detroit general fund allocations (e.g., $2.5 million Motor City Match budget, $700,000 Startup Fund), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) pass-through ($15 million in 2022), foundation grants (Kresge, Knight, Ford, W.K. Kellogg, Hudson Webber, New Economy Initiative), and corporate sponsorships (Bank of America, Fifth Third, JPMorgan Chase). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Customer segments span large employers seeking site selection and incentives, Detroit small business owners and entrepreneurs, tech startups, and neighborhood commercial corridors, with grant outcomes skewed toward minority-, women-, and Detroit-resident-owned businesses.

Name

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Legal name

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Website

https://degc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development agency serving as Detroit's lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction, and small business support, operating programs such as Motor City Match and Detroit Startup Fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DEGC is a nonprofit economic development organization that serves as the City of Detroit's lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction, and economic development. It administers grant programs (Motor City Match, Detroit Startup Fund, Green Grocer, Small Business Technology Fund), provides direct business development and retention services, manages public authorities, and operates the BuyDetroit procurement portal to support Detroit entrepreneurs and businesses.

Product overview

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is a non-profit economic development organization that serves as Detroit's lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction, and economic development. DEGC does not offer a unified software product but rather operates a portfolio of distinct programs and initiatives: Motor City Match (small business incubator with cash grants), Detroit Startup Fund (tech startup grants), Green Grocer Program (fresh food access), Detroit Means Business (small business support coalition), BuyDetroit (procurement portal), Small Business Technology Fund (tech microgrants), and District Business Liaisons. These programs work together to support entrepreneurs at various stages, from concept development to expansion, with funding, training, technical assistance, and compliance support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Motor City Match: Small business incubator providing cash grants and planning/design/development support to entrepreneurs opening or expanding brick-and-mortar businesses in Detroit
• Green Grocer Program
• BuyDetroit
• Detroit Means Business
• Detroit Startup Fund
• Detroit Small Business Technology Fund

Products and services

• Motor City Match A small business incubator that awards cash grants and provides planning, design, and development support to entrepreneurs looking to open or expand brick-and-mortar businesses in Detroit. Through 31 rounds, the program has delivered more than $21 million in cash grants and helped leverage $116 million in total investment.
• Detroit Startup Fund A first-of-its-kind $700,000 municipal startup fund providing grants to high-growth tech startups building in Detroit, supporting innovation that improves quality of life for Detroiters.
• Green Grocer Program A program supporting neighborhood grocers and widening access to fresh, healthy food in Detroit, helping small-format grocery stores, hybrid food concepts, and convenience retailers expand access to fresh food.
• Detroit Means Business A coalition of business support organizations and government agencies helping champion the success of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Detroit through access to financing, training, technical assistance, and other resources.
• BuyDetroit A small business initiative fostering a community of business-to-business procurement in Detroit, connecting Detroit vendors and suppliers with opportunities to compete for contracts through an online procurement portal.
• Small Business Technology Fund A microgrant initiative providing $1,000 technology grants to 140 Detroit-based microbusinesses with 10 or fewer employees to purchase hardware, software, and emerging tech tools.
• District Business Liaisons (DBLs) DBLs serve as the primary point of contact between the City and the small business community, providing ongoing support and guidance to entrepreneurs across Detroit's seven City Council districts.
• Small Business Corridor Compliance Education Series An educational series hosted in partnership with BSEED to help Detroit entrepreneurs and building property owners navigate city compliance, covering regulatory compliance, enforcement, and vacant property accountability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 204 brick-and-mortar businesses opened through Motor City Match with $21M in grants leveraging $116M total investment
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Newlab DetroitmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Host venue for Detroit Startup Fund Round 2 launch press conference. Key innovation ecosystem partner supporting startup community in Detroit at Michigan Central.
• TechTown DetroitmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Detroit's business incubator and tech hub. Listed as startup ecosystem leader partnering on Detroit Startup Fund announcement.
• Black Tech SaturdayscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Community organization representing Black tech entrepreneurs. Listed as startup ecosystem leader partnering on Detroit Startup Fund announcement.
• Apex Digital SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026Microsoft Solutions Partner relocating headquarters to Detroit's Jefferson Hub in Midtown. DEGC announced the relocation as part of attracting tech companies to Detroit.
• East Warren Development CorpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Trusted business service organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants in East Warren area. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Grandmont Rosedale Development CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Neighborhood organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants in Grandmont Rosedale area.
• Live6 AllianceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Neighborhood development organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants in Live6 area. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Southwest Detroit Business AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Business association distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants in Southwest Detroit. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Michigan Black Business AllianceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Statewide Black business organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Arab American Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Chamber of commerce distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• ProsperUS DetroitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Business development organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• TechTown DetroitminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Tech hub and business incubator distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Michigan Women ForwardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 January 2026Women's business organization distributing Small Business Technology Fund grants. Selected to distribute 10-20 grants.
• Michigan Economic Development CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnered with DEGC during COVID-19 response to deliver Michigan Small Business Relief Program grants up to $10,000 for businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
• Wayne CountymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnered with DEGC during COVID-19 response for Michigan Small Business Relief Program emergency cash distribution to Detroit small businesses.
• City of DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEGC serves as the City's lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction and economic development. The City provides funding through general fund budget allocations and DEGC manages public authorities (DBRA, D-NMDC, DDA, EDC, EMWCIA, LDFA, NDC) on behalf of the City.
• Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDC co-manages Motor City Match program alongside DEGC and City of Detroit. EDC provides financing tools and economic development expertise for projects bringing jobs and investment to Detroit.
• Invest DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvest Detroit is a key ecosystem partner providing lending, investment, and small business support. They co-manage the Jefferson Hub development and support Motor City Match awardees with additional financing.
• Detroit City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved funding for Detroit Means Business, Detroit Startup Fund, and other DEGC programs through general fund budget allocations.
• Coleman A. Young II (Detroit City Council)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit City Council President Pro Tempore championed Green Grocer Program relaunch and secured funding to bring program back in 2024 after seven-year hiatus.

Scale indicators23 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater Cleveland Partnership: GCP is the regional chamber and economic development organization for the Cleveland metro area, combining business attraction, retention, and small business support services. It is structurally analogous to DEGC as a public-private economic development hybrid serving a legacy Rust Belt city facing similar revitalization challenges.
• Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation: PIDC is Philadelphia's public-private economic development corporation, providing business financing, real estate development, and small business support. It is among the closest U.S. municipal EDC peers to DEGC in terms of mission, structure (nonprofit with public authority functions), and target customer mix.
• Invest Atlanta: Invest Atlanta is the City of Atlanta's economic development authority, providing small business loans, incentives, real estate development, and neighborhood revitalization programs. Its programmatic structure (small business funds, tax incentives, public authority functions) closely parallels DEGC's portfolio.
• Invest Detroit: Invest Detroit is a Detroit-based community development financial institution that co-manages the Jefferson Hub development with DEGC and provides lending and investment support to Motor City Match awardees. It is a direct ecosystem peer in Detroit, operating in the same small business and neighborhood development space with overlapping partner networks.
• New York City Economic Development Corporation: NYCEDC is the municipal economic development corporation for New York City, with a mandate closely mirroring DEGC's: business attraction/retention, real estate development, small business support, and neighborhood revitalization. Both serve as official implementing agencies of their respective cities. NYCEDC is far larger but operates on the same nonprofit/municipal hybrid model.
• World Business Chicago: World Business Chicago is the public-private economic development partnership for the City of Chicago, focused on business attraction, retention, and inclusive economic growth. It mirrors DEGC's mandate at city-scale and shares the challenge of supporting small businesses and neighborhood corridors in legacy industrial cities.
• Allegheny Conference on Community Development: The Allegheny Conference is the Pittsburgh region's public-private economic development partnership, driving business attraction, retention, and community revitalization. It is comparable to DEGC as a regional economic development catalyst serving a legacy industrial city with similar small business and neighborhood development needs.

Broad incumbents

• JobsOhio: JobsOhio is Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation, operating at statewide scale with site selection, incentive negotiation, and small business programs. It is a broader incumbent peer with overlapping business attraction and retention services but operates across an entire state rather than a single city.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation: MEDC is Michigan's state-level economic development organization that partnered with DEGC during COVID-19 to deliver the Michigan Small Business Relief Program. It operates at broader (statewide) scale and offers incentive tools that DEGC references, but does not focus on Detroit neighborhood-level small business support.

Emerging players

• TechTown Detroit: TechTown is Detroit's business incubator and tech hub, listed as a DEGC ecosystem partner and a distributor of Small Business Technology Fund grants. It overlaps with DEGC on tech startup support and small business services but focuses specifically on incubation and acceleration rather than citywide economic development.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYOkOt8yzAfrbgxFSH7_WNA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/degcallbusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroit-economic-growth-corporation
• Instagraminstagram.com/degcallbusiness
• Xx.com/degcallbusiness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Detroit Economic Growth Corporation