At DTX Launch Detroit, budding tech entrepreneurs get paid to develop their ideas

Michigan college students and recent college alumni have the unique opportunity to get paid while working on their startup ideas, this thanks to the annual DTX Launch Detroit program at TechTown.

Now in its seventh year, DTX Launch Detroit pays participants a $2,500 stipend per individual, or up to $7,500 per team, for college students or recent graduates to work on their tech startups.

DTX Launch Detroit is a 10-week program of two weekly sessions from late May through August that also includes field work. A final showcase will be held at the end of the program. Participants will compete for a total of $25,000 cash prizes, which includes a $15,000 grand prize.

The purpose of the program is to turn future technology startups into Michigan-based technology startups.

"DTX Launch Detroit helps students turn their promising ideas into full-fledged businesses," says Betsy Reid Creedon, TechTown's director of entrepreneurial services. "Students work closely with experts, test their ideas in the community, and fine-tune their business models — and they get paid to do it."

A list of notable graduates of the DTX Launch Detroit program include the 2016 "Apple Watch App of the Year" MySwimPro, and CityInsight, which developed the Detroit Water and Sewage Department's online and mobile Customer Care Portal.

Applications are open through April 5, 2019. Information sessions will be held on Feb. 19 and March 20 at TechTown Detroit.

Visit DTX Launch Detroit online to apply today.

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MJ Galbraith is Model D's development news editor. Follow him on Twitter @mikegalbraith.