detroit free press

New initiative called Startup Story Night scheduled for January. Applications accepted through Dec. 9.

By Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press

Build a business? Now might be the time to tell your story to a wider audience.

Southeast Michigan Startup and the New Economy Initiative is seeking submissions for Startup Story Night, a first-ever storytelling event for metro Detroit entrepreneurs to take place next year. The event Jan. 19 will be emceed by National Public Radio personality Glynn Washington, whose “Snap Judgment” program can be heard weekly on more than 400 NPR stations nationwide and is downloaded more than 2 million times every month.

Storytelling is popular in clubs and on the radio through programs including “Moth Radio Hour” on NPR. Last week, University of Michigan students, faculty and community members recounted their most memorable brush with failure in a public venting event at the Ann Arbor campus’ art museum.

The latest effort from the business community is designed to convince local entrepreneurs to submit their stories about challenges they have overcome or breakthroughs that signaled their start-up’s success. All southeast Michigan-based entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. Then five entrepreneurs will be selected by a committee to participate in a private half-day workshop with Washington followed by a public performance of their stories at a venue to be determined…

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