The Talent Innovation Training Fund at Michigan Central is offering operational support and direct funding to Southeast Michigan startups to help them hire local residents, as Outlier Media reported. Operating out of the 30-acre district and innovation hub, the initiative is designed to increase retention and expand job access for businesses rooted in the region.
The program serves companies operating across several sectors, including technology, robotics, drones, health sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, mobility, and artificial intelligence. Under the structure of the fund, participating startups receive $10,000 for each new hire to assist with credentialed training. Alternatively, businesses can receive $5,000 per hire to deliver structured on-the-job training.
To qualify for the funding, startups must commit to hiring individuals who do not hold four-year college degrees. Participating employers are also required to pay these workers a minimum of $21.76 an hour, which aligns with the local livable wage standard set for Detroit. The dual goal of the initiative is to equip growing companies with a qualified workforce while opening doors for Southeastern Michigan residents who might otherwise be overlooked for careers in technology and innovation fields.
Myka Burley, the associate director of talent development and programming at Michigan Central, told Outlier Media that while finding the right personality for a fast-paced startup environment is unique, the fund focuses on providing candidates with the specific skill sets needed to succeed.
The training program operates on two distinct tracks based on company size. The early-stage track caters to newer startups employing between 1 and 10 workers. Companies on this path receive human resources and onboarding support, alongside on-the-job training tools and curriculum templates. These smaller startups also get one-on-one consulting from human relations specialists at the Southeastern Michigan Community Alliance.
Burley told Outlier Media that startup founders are often highly skilled with their technology but may struggle with the administrative aspects of building a business. She noted that without proper human resources infrastructure, the inherent ambiguity in the technology and innovation space can create difficult working environments for new hires.
For more established businesses that employ more than 10 workers and are seeking niche talent, the fund provides similar financial and operational support. In addition, these larger startups are connected directly into the broader innovation ecosystem at Michigan Central to help them source candidates who possess specialized technical skills.
Several local companies participated in the first iteration of the program in 2025. Among them was GeoPrime Energy, a renewable energy firm founded in 2022 by Ademola Fagade, who also serves on the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners. GeoPrime Energy builds infrastructure for industrial facilities and municipalities and is currently developing hydrogen fuel cells.
Before joining the training fund initiative, GeoPrime Energy operated with 3 staff members and 4 outside consultants. Following its participation in the program, the firm expanded its permanent workforce to 11 employees. During its time in the first cohort, the company received training consultation from Google, which assisted leadership in creating formal screening and recruiting procedures.
Fagade told Outlier Media that the program encouraged his company to think creatively about how they welcome, train, and mentor new team members. He explained that the initiative demonstrated a clear pathway to hire individuals from underserved communities and train them effectively, creating positive effects that extend beyond his individual firm.
GeoPrime Energy is currently participating in the second phase of the fund, which launched this fall. For this next stage, Fagade hopes to establish hands-on training partnerships with engineering, procurement, and construction firms, also known as EPCs. As these partner firms help construct energy projects, such as a 40 megawatt infrastructure project, GeoPrime Energy plans to pair experienced engineers with newer hires. Fagade told Outlier Media that while certifications are valuable, direct mentorship from industry veterans with 20 or 30 years of experience is the most effective way to retain talent and transfer essential skills.
Michigan Central closed applications for startup participation in the fund at the end of July, and the second cohort is currently underway. Applications for local job seekers interested in entering the program are scheduled to open soon.
The reporting on this workforce initiative is part of an ongoing series focused on pathways to good-paying jobs across Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Financial support for the coverage comes in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The Detroit-based grantmaking organization was established with $1.2 billion in funding over a 20-year period ending January 8, 2035, focusing its investments on sustained quality-of-life improvements for residents in Southeast Michigan and Western New York.
