Derrin Leppek

Opened in 2004, TechTown is a technology and life sciences incubator that forms a community of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, service providers and corporate partners creating an internationally recognized entrepreneurial village in the city of Detroit supported by Wayne State University. The term 'Tech Town' refers to a 12 city block neighborhood in Detroit. As an incubator, the organization provides the support and access to capital needed to build high tech companies. TechTown also serves as a developer, facilitating commercial and residential projects. Entrepreneurs can lease cubicles, offices, wet labs, and dry labs. TechTown tenants have access to conference rooms, a chemical storage room, a hazardous waste storage room and a kitchen and dining area. TechTown considers candidate companies in life sciences, homeland security, alternative energy or advanced automotive/ manufacturing/ materials technology, or, if not in one of the preferred industries, be located in Detroit and be women and/or minority owned. TechOne, the 100,000-square-foot business incubator facility, now hosts more than 250 growing companies.