Do you have an idea that could be the next Twitter or Facebook? If so, Detroit Venture Partners is looking for you.
"Right here in metro Detroit, we have incredible ideas," says Josh Linker.
Linkner knows what it takes to turn an idea into a business. And easy isn't part of it. Linker founded ePrize, the world's largest interactive promotion agency, in 1999 when he was only 20 years old. "Everyone thought I was crazy."
But what some once called crazy has turned into a lucrative tech company based right here in southeast Michigan. Now, Linker is trying to help other local entrepreneurs create their own success. That's where Detroit Venture Partners comes into play. A venture capital firm Linkner founded with Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and ex-NBA star Magic Johnson, DVP invests in Internet start-ups by providing the initial investment of between $250K - $750K.
"In addition to capital, we provide coaching, mentorship, support. We're there deep in the trenches with these entrepreneurs to help them win, which in turn, will help our city win," says Linkner. "We're looking for the next Facebook or Twitter or Instagram."
And they may have found it.
UpTo is a mobile app that allows users to share a calendar full of appointments and upcoming events with whoever they choose. The point is, your followers will know what you're 'UpTo.'
Greg Schwartz is one of UpTo's founders. "We've had over 50,000 downloads over the past few months and we're growing," says Schwartz.
DVP not only provided the start-up cash, they've helped the company make serious connections and deals.
In less than two years, DVP has received over 1,000 pitches and funded 13 companies. They judge companies based on a wide-range of criteria, including whether or not the company is willing to commit to Detroit.
DVP and its start-ups are based in downtown's Madison Building which has been transformed into a space where work and fun go hand-in-hand.
"Big bangs can happen in tech start-up world and that's what we're hoping to happen here in Detroit," says Linkner.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:04 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:04:18 GMT
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
13 people were shot in Detroit in just 24 hours, five from one block, including a woman who was just hours away from a kidney transplant. She did not survive.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:01:40 GMT
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Recess at Academy of the Americas in southwest Detroit is 20 minutes out of the day where all kids have to do is play, and that time is more valuable than you think.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Josh Linkner
