The Detroit Creative Corridor Center, with the help of several initiatives, created the Creative Ventures Acceleration Program in which 17 businesses took part to help boost Detroit’s success in the creative sector.

The business owners were introduced at a grand opening ceremony July 12 at the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education at the College for Creative Studies.

The DC3 is a business accelerator focused on helping creative sector businesses grow. The program was created “to support the growth of Detroit’s growing economy through business acceleration services, community outreach and events and talent development resources tailored specifically to creative professionals’ needs,” according to the center’s website.

Matthew Clayson, director of the DC3, helped create the program to connect creative talent to the assets and framework for their businesses. Clayson, a Grand Rapids native, attended Wayne State Law School and has lived in Detroit for the last eight years.

More than 100 business owners in the creative sector were invited to apply to the program, and more than 60 of them attended the information sessions.

Of the attendees, 17 were chosen to participate. They were selected based on several attributes, including the potential to capture large markets, ability to create a product or service that fills future demand, owners’ leadership of solid commitment to take their businesses to a higher level and ability to effectively leverage the resources provided by DC3.

Businesses chosen include First Element Entertainment, Left Bank Creative, coG-studio and Will Do Designs.

“Here in the city, there are a lot of things going on,” architectural design and service firm coG-studio director and owner Chandra Moore said. “I joined because it would help the creative corridor in Detroit.”

Moore said Clayson has “a great history with establishing businesses.”

“It is our hope that that the businesses build the capacity and capital necessary to help them transition to a prominent, physical location in Detroit’s Creative Corridor,” Clayson said.

TechTown, Detroit’s research and technological park created by WSU, Henry Ford Health System and General Motors to enhance economic growth locally and statewide, is a partner that provides expertise in various areas of small business growth and management.

“TechTown supports DC3 by providing counsel and assistance in developing the program,” TechTown Intake Champion Sheu-Jane Gallagher said. “TechTown will also provide business development support to the companies in the Creative Ventures Program.”

The acceleration program is financed through several initiatives including the New Economy Initiative, whose executive director, David Egner, said he was pleased to support DC3 and the Creative Ventures Acceleration Program.

The New Economy Initiative and other organizations that provide financial support were able to give $500,000 to DC3.

Clayson said they helped develop and create acceleration studio space, will help purchase tooling and software for the businesses to use and will support administration, program, outreach and other affiliated costs.

“We believe that participation in this program with other creative firms in close proximity will contribute not only to the success of these participating businesses but to the district as a whole,” Egner said.