ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business

Q: General Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this program? This program is designed for early-stage contractors in Detroit, including general contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, cementists, and other construction-related entrepreneurs who are generating revenue and seeking to grow their businesses. Is there a cost to participate in the program? No, there is no cost to participate in the ProsperUs Pathways: Building Your Contractor Business program. The program is fully funded and offered at no charge to participants. What is the time commitment required for the program? Participants will be expected to commit to a 6-week accelerator, with weekly sessions and additional time for assignments and mentorship activities. The exact time commitment may vary, but plan for around 3-5 hours per week including class time.

Apply Today

ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business Application

Complete this form to apply to participate in ProsperUs Detroit and Detroit Future Ops’ contractor business accelerator program!

Are you a contractor looking to grow your business? Join ProsperUs and Detroit Future Ops for

ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business, a 6-week accelerator program tailored for general contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, and other construction entrepreneurs. This program is designed to propel your business forward by providing comprehensive training on contracting and business planning, industry and marketing analysis, financial preparedness, and more.

Participants will gain the skills to:

Develop a robust business plan tailored to the construction industry
Analyze market trends and create effective marketing strategies
Enhance financial projections and cash flow management

All participating businesses will have the opportunity to utilize one-on-one business coaching, and will get an opportunity to speak with local, established business owners and entrepreneurs.

The program is open to ProsperUs grads, borrowers, and other entrepreneurs in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Inkster.

We are currently accepting applications until 11:59 PM on September 7, 2025. We will review applications and contact those selected for a brief interview after applications close.

Class Schedule (Tuesdays, 6-8 PM, in-person):

October 7, 2025
October 14, 2025
October 21, 2025
October 28, 2025
November 4, 2025
November 11, 2025
Graduation: November 18, 2025

Location: Detroit Future Ops Hub (1326 18th Street, Detroit, MI 48216)

Thank you for your interest in ProsperUs, we look forward to reviewing your application!

Please note that you do not need to take this class to apply for our business services or microloans.

A for-profit business located in the Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park
Registered with the state of Michigan (LARA) and a federal EIN number
An active system of bookkeeping
Profit-Loss statements, or a detailed business plan

If you need help meeting these requirements, please apply for this program.
If you have these documents and would like to use one of our other services, please contact us.

Entrepreneur Information

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Date of Birth

Home or Residential Address

Street Address

City

State

City – Other

Postal Code

ProsperUs Detroit greatly values you sharing any personal demographic information. Unless specified by you, your information will remain private to ProsperUs Detroit’s database and shared with necessary funding partners. Knowing more about the people we serve is pivotal in providing meaningful and intentional access to opportunities for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Demographic Information

How would you describe yourself?

American Indian or Alaska NativeArab and/or North Africa and Southwest AsiaAsianBlack (African and/or African American)Latinx and/or Hispanic (Latino/a)Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderWhiteAnother description (multi-racial, another option, or additional identities)Choose not to share at this time.

Please describe

Country of Birth

To which gender identity do you most identify?

Please describe your gender identity:

What is your highest degree or level of education you have completed?

Have you or your spouse ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces?

Do you have any prior experiences with the justice system?

ProsperUs does not discriminate justice involved individuals. This information is important to our team as we create and share resources with entrepreneurs with these experiences.

Do you identify as a person with a disability?

This information is used by ProsperUs Detroit to ensure that our resources are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

What is the size of your household (all members including yourself)?

Please share your annual household income (all sources combined):

We are trying to understand how clearly defined your business concept is, if you are still working on your idea or if you have taken steps to move your business forward, and if you are making sales and engaging with customers yet.

Do you currently operate a business?

Have you participated in any of ProsperUs Detroit’s programs? Select as many as apply to you and your business.

I am a graduate of the ProsperUs Detroit Entrepreneur Training Program.I have utilized ProsperUs Detroit’s Business Services Program.I am a borrower of a ProsperUs Detroit loan.I have received financial coaching from ProsperUs Detroit.I am an entrepreneur in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Inkster who hasn’t participated in a ProsperUs program yet.

Has your business generated revenue?

What is your largest contract amount to date?

$0-10k$20-50k$55-150k$200-300k$300 – 500k $500k+

Business Plan

What is the status of your business plan?

Of the following concepts, please select the actions you have taken and/or the financial concepts you have explored regarding your business.

I have a business bank account.I have a system of bookkeeping (process of recording all financial transactions made by the company).I know what my overhead are (also known as fixed costs, these costs that stay the same no matter how much you make or sell).I can calculate my profit margin (the amount that revenue exceeds costs).I can calculate my unit cost (how much it costs to make one item).I can make a profit-loss statement for my business (income statement – a financial report that shows your income, total costs, total expenses, and net income for a given time period).None of the above.

We are trying to understand how clearly defined your business concept is, what steps you have taken to move your business forward, how you are generating sales, and how you are engaging with customers.

Application Details

Briefly describe your business:

Please share several sentences and no more than 250 words.

Select the industry that most closely aligns with your business or business idea:

Please share any industry experience that relates to your business.

Please share several sentences and no more than 250 words.

What type of services do you currently or plan to provide?

AdditionsCarpentryDemolitionFlooringGeneral ContractingHandyworkHome RemodelKitchen and Bath RemodelLandscapeMasonryPaintingStructuralWindows/Doors

Business Name

Business Address

Street

City

State

Zip Code

Business Phone

This is can be any phone number you use for your business even if it is a personal line.

Business Email

This is can be any email you use for your business even if it is a personal email.

Online Presence for Business

Business Website

Please enter the best URL for someone interested in using your services.

Business Facebook

Please enter the full URL for your facebook page.

Business Instagram

Please enter the full URL for your instagram page.

Business Details

Have you registered your business entity with the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or a similar organization?

Year Business Formally Registered

To look up your entity with LARA, follow this link.

Number of Founders (including yourself)

Current Number of Employees

Current Annual Revenue

Have you filed taxes for your business?

Is your business fully insured?

Contracting Business Details

Have you attended any workshops or classes specific to contracting before?

Do you have any technology related needs that you need support on? For example, internet access, a laptop computer, or something else?

Is there anything else you would like to share to help us assess your needs and/or assets for entrepreneurial training? If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please share that information in this response.

How did you find out about ProsperUs?

Please describe in more detail how you learned about us.

Media Consent

We believe you are capable of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself. Sometimes, we want to share your success story with our partners and the wider community. This form allows us to share the outcomes of your hard work.

I hereby authorize ProsperUS to develop and use the following:

Interview of my story

Video-tape of my image and voice (including digital)

Audio-tape of my voice

Photograph of my image

Other

Enter “Other” authorizations here

I understand that the above checked items will be used for promotional, journalistic and/or educational material including use on the internet. I hereby give my consent to be named in the photographs, video images, or other images made of me or my family member(s). I also consent to interviews with a representative of ProsperUS or news media. I understand and agree that these materials may be used by the news media or by ProsperUS for the purpose outlined above.

Photograph and video image releases include (i) unconditional, royalty-free and irrevocable authorization and consent for the use of such photographs, video images and materials, by ProsperUS; and (ii) releases ProsperUS and its affiliates from any liability for the use of such photographs, video images and materials (including from any claims of distortion, illusionary effect, libel, or of violations of any right of publicity or privacy). If an individual under the age of 18 is prominently featured in a photograph or video image, the organization shall ensure that a photograph and video image release is duly executed by a parent or legal guardian of such individual.

I understand that I may revoke this consent at any time except to the extent that action based on this consent has been taken. This authorization is fully understood and is made voluntarily on my part.

Without revocation, this consent is ongoing until revoked in writing.

Type your full name here to authorize the above-checked releases

Date

We need to share some of the information you put in this form confidentially with other organizations that support our work in order to operate our programs.

Release of Information

I authorize ProsperUs Detroit and its partners to collaborate and release information as necessary to enhance my overall experience. I understand that there will be no cost to participate and program fees are being supported through a partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Small Business Support Hub Initiative.

Type your full name here to authorize release of information

Date

Record Type Id

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We took the time to compile answers to some of the most common questions about the ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business program.

General Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this program?

This program is designed for early-stage contractors in Detroit, including general contractors, plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, cementists, and other construction-related entrepreneurs who are generating revenue and seeking to grow their businesses.

Is there a cost to participate in the program?

No, there is no cost to participate in the ProsperUs Pathways: Building Your Contractor Business program. The program is fully funded and offered at no charge to participants.

What is the time commitment required for the program?

Participants will be expected to commit to a 6-week accelerator, with weekly sessions and additional time for assignments and mentorship activities. The exact time commitment may vary, but plan for around 3-5 hours per week including class time.

ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business

Apply Today

ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business Application

Entrepreneur Information

Home or Residential Address

Demographic Information

Business Plan

Application Details

Business Address

Online Presence for Business

Business Details

Contracting Business Details

Media Consent

Release of Information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We took the time to compile answers to some of the most common questions about the ProsperUs Pathways: Building your Contractor Business program.

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