Everyone has a story to tell. And Southeast Michigan Startup and the
New Economy Initiative want to help entrepreneurs tell theirs.
The two organizations are presenting
Startup Story Night, the first of its kind in Detroit. It'll be a night of storytelling, hosted by a nationally renowned storyteller, and will take place in a unique venue in the wonderfully diverse city known for creation, creativity, boundless ideas—and the resolve to never quit.
The night will shine a spotlight on five local entrepreneurs who will share their "a-ha" moment—when they realized their idea or product would work despite the challenges. And readers who have attended Southeast Michigan Startup's High Growth Happy Hours or followed coverage of entrepreneurs who are scaling their businesses will have the opportunity to share their story and learn from their peers.
Here's how the process will work:
- Submissions for stories are open until Dec. 9. Stories must not exceed 10 minutes.
- A local committee will narrow down the submissions to five entrepreneurs and their stories.
- The five entrepreneurs will be announced Jan. 3, 2017.
- Startup Story Night will take place Jan. 19, 2017.
Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment will host will host Startup Story Night
In addition, Detroit native Glynn Washington will be the featured host and storytelling coach. Washington is the host and executive producer of the WNYC-produced podcast
Snap Judgment. Washington, a University of Michigan graduate who also received a law degree from U-M's law school, has a background of supporting and working with entrepreneurs. From 2007 to 2010, Washington was the director of the Center for Young Entrepreneurs at
Haas, also known as YEAH, a program at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business that serves at-risk students in middle and high schools.
Washington has received national acclaim in publications like The Atlantic, which called him the "
fastest-rising public radio star in memory."
In addition to his hosting duties, Washington will conduct a workshop exclusively for the selected entrepreneurs to help them polish their stories and advise them in the art of storytelling onstage, under the bright lights and in front of an audience.
To submit a story for consideration, head over to
Startup Story Night and fill out the short
submission form.