This document summarizes a research study on designing entrepreneurial ecosystems in Detroit for urban sustainability. The researchers conducted interviews with 37 individuals from 23 entrepreneurial support organizations and 19 entrepreneurs in lifestyle/creative, technology, and food sectors. Key findings include how entrepreneurs draw on the ecosystem for identity, resources, knowledge, communities, space, and sustaining their startups. Challenges include access to technology, gatekeeping by some organizations, lack of recognition of the ecosystem's value, and difficulties with networking and self-identifying as entrepreneurs. Next steps involve further data collection and deliberation sessions to collaboratively design an ideal entrepreneurial support system.

1. DESIGNING ENTREPRENEURIAL
ECOSYSTEMS FOR URBAN
SUSTAINABILITY:
LIFESTYLE/CREATIVE, TECH, &
FOOD SECTORSRahul Mitra, Ph.D.
Dorothy Feltner, M.A.
Elizabeth-Ann Pandzich, M.A.
Email: Rahul.mitra@wayne.edu
Detroit
Startup Week
2018

2. WHY ARE WE HERE? (AKA: THE
RATIONALE)
Detroit one of several “Rust Belt” cities
promoting the building of
“entrepreneurial ecosystems” for urban
resilience and sustainability
Network of diverse organizations focused on
developing and maintaining entrepreneurial
cultures and clusters (Acs et al., 2017; Assenza, 2016;
Malecki, 2018; Rencher, 2012; Roundy, 2016, 2017; Spigel , 2017; Spigel &
Harrison, 2017)
Long-term impacts of entrepreneurial
ecosystems on urban environments, how
they are impacted by socioeconomic
conditions on the ground, or how they
might be designed from the grassroots

3. WHAT ARE WE DOING? (AKA: THE
METHOD)
Urban Sustainability
 Social, economic and
environmental
development necessary
for cities facing profound
social-ecological changes
(Mitra & Buzzanell, 2018; Turcu,
2013)
Communication-
as-Design
 Design as an activity of
transformation “through
intervention and
invention” (Aakhus, 2007)
 Focus on lived
experiences, concerns
and voices of impacted
stakeholders
Fieldwork Thus Far
 Attending public
workshops, meetings,
talks since August 2017,
to get a good feel of the
Detroit entrepreneurial
ecosystem
 In-depth interviews with
37 individuals from 23
entrepreneurial support
organizations, and 19
entrepreneurs mainly
from three areas
(lifestyle/creative,
technology, and food)

4. ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT
ORGANIZATIONS IN THE DETROIT
ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
Economic
development orgs.
Community
development
orgs.,
neighborhood
associations
Foundations,
venture funds,
CDFIs, angels
State &
municipal
agencies
Social
development
nonprofits
Co-working,
incubators,
accelerators
University
systems,
technology
transfer

5. Q1. HOW ARE ENTREPRENEURS
DRAWING RESOURCES FROM
THE ECOSYSTEM?
Identity
Resources
Knowledge
Communities
Space Access
Communication
Needs
Sustaining
Startups

6. … HOW ARE ENTREPRENEURS
DRAWING RESOURCES FROM
THE ECOSYSTEM?
Identity Resources
 Narratives of strength and
confidence
 Re-imagine “entrepreneur”
label
 Cooperative community
Knowledge
Communities
 Learn about entrepreneurial
processes (e.g., permitting)
 Learn about specific details
related to starting up (e.g.,
particular location)
 Connect with other support
organizations
 Connect with other
Space Access
 Shared/dedicated operating
space
 Event space for networking
(e.g., galas, fundraisers)
Communication Needs
 Branding
 Internal/team communication
 Pitching to support
organizations
Sustaining Startups
 Identify specific market niches
for mid & long terms
 Connect with local
associations

7. Q2. WHAT ARE SOME
CHALLENGES OR BLIND SPOTS
IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL
ECOSYSTEM?
Technological
Access
Gatekeeper
Organizations
Recognizing
Value of
Ecosystem
Networking
Recognizing
Self as
“Entrepreneur”

8. … WHAT ARE SOME
CHALLENGES OR BLIND SPOTS
IN THE ENTREPRENEURIAL
ECOSYSTEM?Technological Access
 Dispersed digital reach (e.g.,
meetup, Eventbrite,
Facebook)
 Bizgrid directory online; not
always realistic to assume
entrepreneurs know the kind
of work they need
Gatekeeper
Organizations
 Create in-group versus out-
group
 Overly depend on word-of-
mouth?
 Need to be seen as invested
presence in neighborhoods
 Need for greater focus on
Value of Ecosystem
Networking
 Time and resource tradeoff
between growing and
networking
 Intimidating for introverts
Self as
“Entrepreneur”
 Small business owner
versus entrepreneur
 Too tech, too
institutionalized, too
young, too
Downtown/Midtown?
 Need for greater ethnic
diversity in top support

9. 1. How do our research team’s findings align with
your experiences? What would you add, or perhaps
disagree with?
2. What does the entrepreneurial ecosystem look like
in your space (e.g., food, technology,
lifestyle/creative)?
3. Please draw a “collective sketch” to depict the
ecosystem:
A. Which are the major entrepreneurial support
organizations or programs?
B. What do they accomplish for you?
C. How are they connected to each other?
D. In a 2nd sketch, what would your “ideal”
ecosystem look like?
4. How can entrepreneurial support organizations
enhance their existing outreach or programs to be
more effective?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR
YOU

10. NEXT STEPS…
1. Continue data collection: collect at least 30
interviews with entrepreneurs in the 3 areas,
and with individuals from 30 entrepreneurial
support organizations
2. Ongoing opportunities and platforms for
sharing (and adding to) our preliminary
findings
3. “Design Detroit” Deliberation Sessions
planned for Fall 2018 through Winter 2019,
with entrepreneurs
• If you’d like to participate, please contact any of
us on the research team to learn more about
your rights as a research participant!
4. Website planned to share some stories, data,
and reflections, and invite further feedback
from impacted stakeholders like you

11. THANK YOU
Twitter: @rahulmitra | Email:
rahul.mitra@wayne.edu