Student entrepreneurs pitch ideas for urban development in Detroit

Urban renewal and redevelopment will be the focus of an entrepreneurial competition for about 60 Detroit-area high school students, including students from a mix of Grand Valley-authorized charters and other schools. 

The Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TESA) in Detroit is designed for GVSU-authorized charter high school students and will take place August 7-11 at the GVSU Detroit Center, 163 Madison Street in downtown Detroit.

During the five-day academy, teams of four to five students from 23 area schools will come up with an original business pitch that focuses on urban renewal and redevelopment from the idea stage to a developed concept. On the final day, each team will present their idea to a panel of local business professionals for a chance to win part of $5,000 in total cash prizes.

Over the course of the academy, students will learn about market research, developing a marketing plan, management and operational planning, financial instruction and presentation planning and more. They will also tour parks and businesses in downtown Detroit, listen to area entrepreneurs during panels, and hear from city planners and neighborhood organizers to gather inspiration and ideas for their pitch.

TESA is hosted by Grand Valley's Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the GVSU Charter Schools Office. Sponsors of the academy include Accenture, Helen L. Kay Charitable Trust, Marathon Petroleum and 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit.

For more information, visit https://www.gvsu.edu/cei/tesa-detroit-183.htm