The New Economy Initiative Creates a Free Digital Hub to Break Down Barriers and Grow Southeast Michigan’s Small Business Community

Detroit, MI (Oct. 7, 2025) –  The New Economy Initiative (NEI) and Gilbert Family Foundation today announced the official launch of MI Small Business Helper, a free, digital platform designed to connect Southeast Michigan entrepreneurs and founders with the resources, guidance and opportunities they need to start, grow and sustain their businesses. NEI is a philanthropic collaboration and special project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, working to build a regional network of support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Developed with input from more than 80 partner organizations that provide support and resources to entrepreneurs, MI Small Business Helper provides a centralized hub to access funding opportunities, step-by-step business guides, curated events, mentorship connections and direct support from local experts. The platform eliminates barriers to entry for business owners, streamlining access to trusted support services across the region.

“For many small business owners, the hardest step is simply knowing where to begin,” said Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director of the New Economy Initiative. “MI Small Business Helper was designed to remove that uncertainty by offering a clear entry point, connecting entrepreneurs directly to the guidance and resources they need. When small businesses thrive, it strengthens our neighborhoods, creates jobs and builds long-term economic mobility across the region.”

Funded by Gilbert Family Foundation, the platform represents a long-term investment in the vitality of Michigan’s small business ecosystem. By serving as a trusted entry point into the entrepreneurial support network, the platform has the potential to not only accelerate individual business growth but also strengthen Southeast Michigan’s economic infrastructure for decades to come.

“At Gilbert Family Foundation, we believe small businesses are the backbone of thriving communities,” said Darnell Adams, Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives at Gilbert Family Foundation “Supporting the launch of MI Small Business Helper ensures that every entrepreneur, regardless of their background or resources, has a clear path to the help they need. This is more than just building businesses. It’s about building generational wealth, stronger neighborhoods and a more competitive regional economy.”

With nearly one million small businesses across Michigan employing almost two million residents, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, 2024 Small Business Profile by State of Michigan, MI Small Business Helper aims to expand opportunity, reduce duplication among service providers and provide real-time insights into entrepreneurial needs. Looking ahead, the platform will evolve into a shared data system that measures impact, tracks engagement and identifies gaps in support, ensuring that investment continues to go where it is needed most.

Entrepreneurs can start their growth journey today by visiting www.michigansmallbusinesshelper.com to explore resources, connect with local experts and unlock the tools they need to thrive.

# # #

 

About the New Economy Initiative (NEI)

The New Economy Initiative (NEI) is a philanthropic collaboration and initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan that is working to build a regional network of support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its mission is to grow a strong culture of entrepreneurship in southeast Michigan that benefits all residents and strengthens the regional economy. Since 2007, NEI has awarded 766 grants totaling $148.1 million assisting over 38,000 companies in the ecosystem. Learn more at https://neweconomyinitiative.org/.

About Gilbert Family Foundation

Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation founded by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert to accelerate a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and build economic opportunity and equity in the city of Detroit. Gilbert Family Foundation supports groundbreaking, cutting-edge research in hopes of eradicating NF1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in the body. Additionally, the Foundation supports the economic stability and mobility of residents in Detroit by investing in wealth-building opportunities and breaking down systemic barriers.

For more information on Gilbert Family Foundation, please visit gilbertfamilyfoundation.org.