BUYDETROIT

RESOURCES

BuyDetroit has partnered with LISC to create a FREE program for small businesses—the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program. It'll teach you strategies other businesses are using to get ahead. And you'll learn how to be more digitally savvy. Small Business Digital Ready provides personalized content, coaching, networking, and more, and all the online tools are in one place, so it's easy to use.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

When you sign up for the program, you’ll answer a series of questions about your business and your specific needs and interests. Based on your answers, Verizon and its partners will personalize a learning dashboard with content to match your needs.

Next, you’ll have access to short online learning modules created by actual small business owners on the topics most important to your business right now.

You’ll have the opportunity to sign up for coaching events and start networking with other small businesses. Not only that, as you participate in the program, you can become eligible to apply for an exclusive pool of grants, as well as benefit from an exclusive marketplace of tools, solutions, products and services that can help move your business forward.

Small Business Digital Ready is part of Verizon’s commitment to provide support for 1 million small businesses over the next decade.

Take advantage of this great opportunity and start building a better business!

WATCH OUR FIRESIDE CHAT WITH MATHEW KNOWLES

WHAT IS BUYDETROIT?

Fostering a community of business-to-business procurement, BuyDetroit is the single source for buyers, suppliers, and contractors of all sizes and categories to connect, post, and apply for new opportunities and build capacity. In turn, the program creates new jobs, drives access and inclusion, and helps to grow Detroit's economy.

Open transcript for “Meet the Buyer” video

WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM BENEFITS?
WHY PARTICIPATE?

BuyDetroit understands the unique needs of buyers and sellers, and is creating resources to better prepare Detroit small- and mid-sized businesses to successfully compete for new business opportunities. This includes improving peer connections, building capacity and facilitating access to large contracts – all in one place.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Supplier Requirements: Headquartered or based in the City of Detroit Registered and in good standing with the State of Michigan Have an EIN number In business for two or more years Have a valid license for the trade or profession the company is registered as (such as Lawyer, CPA, tradesman, and other licensed-required fields) Have a DUNS number if applying for government contracts Buyer Requirements: Agree to a clear, concise and fair bidding process that includes a scoring rubric List real opportunities with open and close dates Provide an opportunity description and a contract value Provide timely response to suppliers’ questions about the opportunity Have an EIN number In business for two or more years Must not discriminate
HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

Create an account and register for the Marketplace.
WHAT TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

Buyers post specific opportunities in a variety of product and service areas. Opportunities are typically Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) from such notable organizations as the City of Detroit, Bedrock, DTE, Wayne State University and Comerica.
AT A GLANCE

CONNECT TO THE PROCUREMENT PORTAL

FUNDERS

“At TCF, we believe that strengthening communities starts by strengthening those who call it home. Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, and we are committed to helping them grow and thrive. As Detroit’s hometown bank, we are thrilled to support the BuyDetroit program and the opportunities it creates for our local businesses and residents to make connections and create new jobs.”

“Investing in small businesses is a driving force of job creation and economic growth overall, particularly in Detroit. We are proud to support the BuyDetroit program, which connects and grows Detroit-based buyers, suppliers and contractors, making personal and community wealth building opportunities available to small businesses and residents of Detroit.”

BUYER COUNCIL

The Buyer Council is comprised of top procurement leaders representing for- and non-profit organizations committed to growing Detroit businesses and driving inclusivity and diversity in their local spend. They help set the vision for BuyDetroit through promoting local purchasing, business certification, and capacity building.