Detroit Motor City Match
City of Detroit — Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
Up to $100,000
Detroit's flagship business space + renovation grant
Motor City Match (MCM) is Detroit's flagship small business development program, connecting entrepreneurs to available commercial space and providing grants of up to $100,000 for renovation and build-out. Operated by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, MCM runs quarterly cohort competitions matching businesses with Detroit landlords and city grant funding. Since 2015, the program has supported 1,859 businesses, disbursed over $20.3M in grants, created 1,695 jobs, and helped fill 1.7M+ square feet of commercial space.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $10,000 – $100,000
- Realistic amount
- Renovation grant winners typically receive $25,000–$75,000 depending on project scope. Business Plan competition winners…
- Deadline
- Quarterly cohort — four rounds per year. Check motorcitymatch.com for current cycle open date.
- Status
- active
- States
- MI
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Business must be opening or expanding in Detroit — must occupy commercial space within Detroit city limits
- Business must be a for-profit entity or a transitioning entrepreneur with a viable business plan
- Business owner must commit to operating the business in Detroit for at least 2 years post-award
- Business must create at least 1 new full-time job in Detroit
- Business must not have outstanding City of Detroit tax obligations
- Business plan must demonstrate market demand and financial viability
- Renovation/construction grants require an executed or in-negotiation commercial lease in Detroit
- Businesses already operating in Detroit for more than 3 years may have limited eligibility for certain grant tiers — check current cycle rules
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: true
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Commercial space renovation and build-out
- Interior construction and leasehold improvements
- Equipment and fixtures necessary for business operations
- Accessibility upgrades (ADA compliance)
- Signage
- Business development costs (for Business Plan competition winners)
- Inventory (limited, in select award tiers)
Ineligible expenses
- Real estate purchase
- Personal expenses or owner compensation
- Debt repayment
- Projects outside Detroit city limits
- Businesses that cannot demonstrate a Detroit commercial lease or LOI
How to apply
-
1
Apply online at motorcitymatch.com
Submit a brief online application describing your business concept or existing business, target Detroit location, and planned use of grant funds. The application includes a business plan summary and owner financial information.
~3 hrs
-
2
Application review and selection
DEGC reviews all applications and selects finalists within 2–3 weeks of window close. Finalists are notified and invited to the competitive pitch event.
~0 hrs
-
3
Pitch event
Finalists present their business plan and grant request to a panel of judges at the Motor City Match Pitch Event. Presentations are typically 5–10 minutes. Judges include DEGC staff, city officials, and community stakeholders.
~5 hrs
-
4
Award notification and space matching
Award winners are announced at the pitch event or within days after. DEGC also facilitates matching with Detroit commercial landlords who have enrolled in the MCM program — the space match is a key differentiator of this program.
~0 hrs
-
5
Execute lease and grant agreement
Awardees finalize their Detroit commercial lease and sign a grant agreement with DEGC specifying renovation scope, job commitments, and disbursement schedule. Renovation grants are disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
~4 hrs
The space-matching component is underappreciated — MCM gives you introductions to Detroit landlords who are specifically interested in small business tenants, which can mean below-market rents. Even if you don't win a grant, the landlord network is valuable.
Deadline & timing
Motor City Match runs four competitive cohort cycles per year (approximately January, April, July, October). Each cycle has a 3-week application window. Applications are reviewed by DEGC, and finalists pitch in a competitive public pitch event. Award announcements follow the pitch event. Check motorcitymatch.com for current cycle status.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.