The last 10 years have brought periods of disruption and recovery for small businesses in southeast Michigan, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic where many businesses had to pivot and adapt overnight. Through it all, NEI has remained a steady presence, creating access to opportunity by investing in the organizations that support founders and helping shape an everchanging entrepreneurial ecosystem. Providing the guidance, capital and relationships needed to grow has resulted in more than individual business success. It’s created a ripple effect strengthening small businesses, creating more vibrant communities, and fueling the local economy.
This impact report brings NEI’s work from 2016-2025 to life through data, lessons learned, and stories from entrepreneurs. Throughout the last decade, NEI awarded $53 million to 87 organizations across 379 grants. While the numbers don’t tell the full story, they offer a clear sense of the scale and momentum behind this work. NEI’s investments are mobilizing the region’s economy and paving a way for visionaries in the metro Detroit area to thrive.