Live Innovate Play Hacker House
Learn the ins and outs of developing and launching a tech startup with TechTown Detroit and Detroit Hacker House in our program for Wayne State University students and recent grads. In our 2025-2026 cohort, 25 students will participate in business and personal development workshops alongside industry coaches and mentors to build a startup idea with their team.
In Summer 2026, 10 of the participants will receive 3 months of housing support diving even deeper to work alongside their fellow innovators in the Detroit Hacker House located adjacent to the WSU campus. After the program, students will continue to receive mentorship and guidance through regular coaching to continue on with their summer innovation challenge projects to work on business model refinement and startup launch.
Live. Innovate. Play.
Live and work alongside your House Manager and fellow innovators to build your product through mentorship and milestones while being immersed in the Detroit startup community.
MVP Development
We coach founders through the process of applying their customer discovery research to building an MVP and iterating to validate the key features and business model from customer response.
Mentorship
In addition to working alongside our House Manager, EIRs (Entrepreneurs in Residence) provide support and feedback through workshops, office hours, and supporting unique needs depending on the startup.
Housing
SELECT founders live alongside each other as roommates with a House Manager with free room, board, housekeeping, laundry, wifi, in-home desk space, and team outings.
Venture Backable
We work closely with VCs in setting key program targets that build investor confidence in the startup.
Upcoming Events
Sign up for a workshop or join us at an open house to learn more about startups and get started with the program! Events are open to the entire WSU community, no experience required, just a willingness to learn, connect, and explore what's possible.
Summer 2026 Cohort
We are accepting applications for our 2025-2026 cohort. This includes residential and non-residential applicants. Current Wayne State University students and 2024/2025 grads are eligible to apply.
Submit Your ApplicationHave Questions?
If you want to learn more before applying or want to partner with us in bringing this opportunity to more founders, please reach out!