Washtenaw County to host 4th Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
submitted by Cheranissa Williams, Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development
The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development is hosting its fourth annual Entrepreneurship Summit (previously called the Small Business Fair) on Friday, March 13. The summit continues to grow each year, and this year’s event will connect local entrepreneurs with resources to help their businesses flourish. The summit is for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and will feature resources for those in any step of the business process. The event is free and will take place in person at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence Building on East Huron River Drive from 9am to 3pm, on Friday, March 13. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Last year’s summit served over 100 entrepreneurs with nearly 20 local organizations coming to speak and offer their services to attendees. This year’s event will include a government panel, a resource fair, presentations, multiple breakout growth lab offerings, and time dedicated to networking. Current vendors include:
- Washtenaw Community College Entrepreneurship Center
- Michigan Small Business Development Center
- A2Y Regional Chamber
- Ann Arbor Spark
- University of Michigan Procurement
- 1 Million Cups
- Huntington Bank
- S.C.O.R.E.
- Growing Hope
- Michigan Women Forward
- Great Lakes Women’s Business Council
- Michigan Works! Southeast
- Association of Businesses of Color
- Jewish Family Services
- Washtenaw County Financial Empowerment Center
Anyone is welcome to attend regardless of what stage their small business is in. There will be resources available to those with just an idea for a business ranging to those who have an established business. The Entrepreneurship Summit is a free event for all ages and aims to be an educational opportunity for folks to connect and get the help they have been looking for.
The Office of Community and Economic Development works to ensure that everyone can fully participate in our community and our economy. They hope to shift the county’s economic opportunity strategy to support entrepreneurs and small business owners of color, upward mobility and job training for residents, and the removal of barriers around housing and transportation.
The 2026 Entrepreneurship Summit will take place on Friday, March 13, from 9am to 3pm, at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, located at 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. If you plan to attend, please register here: bit.ly/4qjCMVp. Questions? Contact Cheranissa Williams at williamsch@washtenaw.org.
In service of our belief that all Washtenaw County residents deserve a high quality of life, the Office of Community and Economic Development delivers critical programs and community initiatives in the areas of affordable housing, human services, economic development, and community infrastructure. We serve local individuals, families, and communities through a mix of direct services, public policy development, and investment of monetary and technical support. To learn more, visit www.washtenaw.org/oced
You must be logged in to post a comment Login