Motor City Match awards nearly $500,000 to new Detroit-based businesses, wraps up CVI track
- DEGC
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
$475,000 in grants awarded to 13 new businesses at the Round 28 awards ceremony
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track, which is in its final phase, awarded $55,000 in grants
New Detroit ventures include a fitness facility, global empowerment brand and multiple restaurants and cafes
In Round 28, 90% are minority-owned businesses; 65% are women-owned businesses; and 86% are businesses owned by Detroit residents
APRIL 2, 2025 (DETROIT) – The City of Detroit and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) today awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to 13 new local businesses in Motor City Match’s 28th round. This round included the final phase of the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track, which awarded $55,000 in grants to three businesses led by individuals committed to positive change.
In total, Round 28 is supporting 13 new brick-and-mortar businesses that will be located across 13 Detroit neighborhoods, including Aviation Sub, Evergreen-Outer Drive, Martin Park and Cornerstone Village, among others (full list at the end of the release). This round features a dynamic mix of new businesses, from restaurants and cafes to a childcare center, fitness facility and a global empowerment brand, continuing Motor City Match’s commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurs and neighborhood growth.
“Round 28 showcases the incredible diversity and entrepreneurial energy in the city of Detroit,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson, prior to the event. “From restaurants to childcare centers, these businesses are providing important services and bringing new energy to commercial corridors throughout our neighborhoods.”
The CVI track is a partnership between the City of Detroit and six community violence intervention (CVI) groups that uplift entrepreneurs mentored by these organizations. The track specifically empowers returning citizens and other justice-impacted individuals to build sustainable businesses and create lasting change in their neighborhoods.
Through this track, CVI-recommended businesses approved by Motor City Match can receive up to $150,000 in grant funding across two rounds. The three businesses awarded grants through the CVI track include a restaurant, creative hub and fashion retailer. A fourth CVI-supported business was awarded technical assistance.
“These grants represent more than just financial support. They’re about creating opportunities in neighborhoods that need them most,” said Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, prior to the event. “The CVI track empowers justice-impacted entrepreneurs to transform their lives while strengthening their communities. We’re proud to see these business owners creating positive change across Detroit.”
Beyond the grants, Motor City Match also awarded 37 entrepreneurs through its Business Plan, Develop and Design tracks. These resources offer critical support, including business services, training and one-on-one advising, to Detroiters still working toward their dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar store in the city.
In total, 51 Detroit businesses representing six of seven City Council districts received support through Round 28.
“Motor City Match continues to be a driving force in revitalizing Detroit’s neighborhoods by equipping small business owners with the resources they need to thrive,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “With each round of funding, more Detroiters are launching businesses, creating jobs, and breathing new life into our commercial corridors. This program’s success is a testament to our commitment to inclusive economic growth and to the entrepreneurs who keep our city moving forward.”
Since 2015, Motor City Match has awarded more than 2,146 businesses, resulting in 181 new brick-and-mortar businesses operating throughout the city.
Motor City Match continues to grow Detroit’s small-business landscape
Combined with its other small business programming, DEGC is creating a sustainable small business environment that nurtures new concepts and ideas. Motor City Match offers business owners a wide range of assistance in five tracks Plan, Develop, Design, Cash and Restore. The program helps Detroit entrepreneurs plan, formalize, and launch their business by providing business planning classes, site-selection assistance, financial planning, legal aid, design services and gap funding.
Through 28 rounds of the program:
· Total business open: 181
· Total businesses under construction: 61
· Total cash grants: $19.5 million
· Total leveraged investment: $104.5 million
· 85 percent are minority-owned businesses
· 70 percent are women-owned businesses
· 68 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
· 2,146 total businesses served
About Motor City Match
Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com
Motor City Match Round 28 Community Violence Intervention awardees:
CeeCee’s Seafood LLC – $25,000
A seafood restaurant offering seafood boils, salmon, shrimp and more
13137 Harper Ave
Outer Drive - Hayes, District 4
Indie Fashion LLC – $25,000
Creative hub for independent designers, models and stylists to collaborate, innovate and grow
14630 Schaefer Hwy
Bethune, District 2
Ghetto Plateau – $5,000
Clothing for individuals who use fashion as a form of self-expression and to challenge the status quo
Warrendale, District 7
Motor City Match Round 28 Cash awardees:
@Charge! LLC – $45,000
A digital interactive cafe where you can charge your body, car and phone – one table, one cable, one cup and one sip at a time
17184 E Warren Ave
Cornerstone Village, District 4
Cafe Clark Detroit LLC – $30,000
o Vibrant coffee shop serving artisanal coffee and locally inspired food while fostering community connections
o 4000 W Vernor Hwy, Suite 100A
o Central Southwest, District 6
Dem Noles Bois Det LLC – $45,000
Restaurant specializes in cajun-style cuisine offering walk-in and catering services
10523 Joy Rd
Aviation Sub, District 7
Just Wright Inc. – $25,000
Just Wright Inc. operating as ME & YOU Kitchen and Cocktails is a full-service neighborhood bar and restaurant serving creative food and cocktails
16801 Harper Ave
East English Village, District 4
Kid’s Purpose Daycare LLC – $60,000
o Offers quality childcare that addresses the diverse needs of working parents, such as DHS-free childcare, summer camps and weekend programs
o 2424 Puritan St
o Martin Park, District 2
Nxt Level Fitness LLC – $40,000
o Full-service fitness facility consisting of wellness services ranging from introductory level bodyweight classes, private fitness training, massage therapy, yoga and electrifying group fitness classes
o 1583 Franklin St
o Rivertown, District 5
Our House Enterprises, LLC – $50,000
Vibrant afro-soul restaurant celebrating the rich flavors of the African diaspora
8001 Kercheval St
Islandview, District 5
Pretty Brown Girl LLC – $50,000
Global empowerment brand and movement designed for black and brown girls and women selling unique dolls and retail products
19435 James Couzens Fwy
Seven Mile Lodge, District 2
SHE HER HIS BEAUTY LLC – $50,000
Offers hair perfume, beard oil and hair extensions to all consumers
18923 W 7 Mile Rd
Evergreen-Outer Drive, District 1
The Deep End Cafe & Gallery LLC – $25,000
Offers single-origin volcanic coffee, wellness drinks and smoothies while serving as a cultural hub
4805 Livernois Ave
Claytown, District 6