Wayne State University Research and
Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit, operating as TechTown Detroit, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 440 Burroughs Street in Detroit, Michigan. Established in 2000, TechTown serves as Detroit's most established business accelerator and incubator, offering comprehensive entrepreneurial services for technology-based and neighborhood enterprises. The organization operates within the Woodward Technology Corridor SmartZone and employs 79 staff members.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.9M
-19.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-37.1% YoY
Grant Count
33
-41.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+6.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
TechTown's mission is to accelerate inclusive economic development across Detroit by helping startup and established businesses develop, launch and grow, while strengthening and diversifying the local economy.
Primary Program Areas:
- Start Studio: An idea-stage accelerator that validates early-stage tech startups through customer discovery
- Incubator: An intensive program focused on helping promising tech startups transition into profitable companies through a cohort model, addressing business operations, technical operations, and fundraising readiness
- Technology Commercialization: Evaluation and roadmapping of commercialization potential for university or healthcare system-developed technologies, with high-potential technologies transitioning into TechTown programs
- Traction: A community of accountability helping startups move from product launch to generating recurring revenue
- Capital Access Program: Training modules and cohort support helping entrepreneurs understand funding and access capital
- Retail Boot Camp: An intensive 12-week course with postgraduate coaching for entrepreneurs preparing to open brick-and-mortar businesses in Detroit
- The SHOPA: A monthly pop-up marketplace helping local entrepreneurs build skills and connect with customers
Ready to take the next step with Wayne State University Research and?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
TechTown operates in Detroit, Michigan, serving entrepreneurs in the technology, retail, and wholesale sectors within the local community.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $26,034,168
- Total Revenues: $6,792,234
- Total Expenses: $11,795,490
- Staff: 79 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,872,657 | $26,034,168 | $31,848,008 |
| Revenue | $4,808,210 | $6,792,234 | $15,845,749 |
| Expenses | $12,535,531 | $11,795,490 | $8,937,181 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $75,271 | $99,826 | $14,865 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Wayne State University Research and
Detroit Elevate
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND
Amount
Up to $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Detroit Small Business Stabilization Fund (DSBSF)
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND
Amount
Up to $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Hatch Detroit
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND
Amount
$100,000 grand prize
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Ned Staebler
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWARD STAEBLER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 20 | $175,514 |
| DR KIMBERLY ANDREWS ESPY | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DR ALI ABOLMAALI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BEN BERNSTEIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BETHANY GIELCZYK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHANELL SCOTT CONTRERAS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CORNELIA BUTLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CLARINDA BARNETT-HARRISON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GWEN JIMMERE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| HASSAN BEYDOUN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMILA THOMPSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JASON AESCHLIMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN RUMLEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JUSTIN TURK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KEVIN JOHNSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAURA CHAVEZ-WAZEERUD-DIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LISA PRASAD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MATT BOWER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR MICHAEL BUSUITO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MIKE SAPPINGTON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MIKE S RAFFERTY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NICK GORGA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA PATTI GLAZA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PORTIA POWELL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RIAN ENGLISH BARNHILL | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SONAL RAMRAKHIANI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TERRI LYNN LAND | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| VALENCIA STOUDAMIRE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR VIRGINIA KLEIST | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DIANA GOODE | CHIEF FINACIAL OFFICER | 20 | $179,782 |
| CHRISTIANNE MALONE | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $161,029 |
| KELLY KOZLOWSKI | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 20 | $188,378 |
| ALLANDRA J BULGER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO.ACT | 40 | $190,058 |
| NATRINA GROCE | SR. DIRECTOR HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $119,548 |
| NORMA JEAN ZALESKI | SR. DIRECTOR FINANCE & COMPLIANCE | 40 | $110,359 |
| DANIELLE MANLEY | SR. DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $125,541 |
| KIMBERLY S WATTS | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $113,235 |
| KYLA CARLSEN | PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CO.ACT | 40 | $128,158 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Wayne State University has received multiple significant research grants in recent periods:
Wayne State awarded $2.74 million NIH grant to improve asthma management$2.74 million NIH grant to improve asthma management in youth
Wayne State awarded $2.74 million NIH grant to improve asthma managementNSF grant to increase equity among STEM faculty
Wayne State awarded NSF grant to increase equity among STEM faculty$200,000 grant to develop a data-driven health informatics system to address urban health challenges
Wayne State professor receives $200,000 grant to develop data-driven health$2.5 million NIH grant to shape next generation of antibiotics
Wayne State awarded $2.74 million NIH grant to improve asthma management$1.19 million from the National Institutes of Health for addiction neuroscience predoctoral training
National Institutes of Health awards Wayne State $1.19 million for addictionSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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