Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund

Built Here. Hired Here. Scaled Here.

Up to $10,000 per new hire to train the talent that will move your company forward. Built for Southeast Michigan founders.

Applications open June 1 – July 17, 2026

$10k

UP TO $10k FUNDING PER NEW HIRE
2

TRACKS BUILT FOR WHERE YOU ARE
4

SE MICHIGAN COUNTIES SERVED
$21.76/hr

LIVABLE WAGE FLOOR

WHAT IS TITF?

Capital + Talent. Built for the company you’re growing.

The Michigan Central Talent Innovation Training Fund (TITF) is a workforce development program designed for Southeast Michigan startups that are ready to hire — but need help closing the specific skill gaps holding back their next milestone.

We provide direct training capital of up to $10,000 per new hire, paired with the operational support early-stage founders need to support their hiring process.

This isn’t a generic workforce program. It’s built around the realities of building a startup: niche skills, lean teams, tight timelines, and roles that don’t fit a standard training catalog.

Are you eligible?

You may be a strong fit for TITF if you are:

✓ A startup headquartered in or operating across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, or Washtenaw counties

✓ Building in tech, robotics, drones, health sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, mobility, or AI

✓ Ready to make at least one new hire in the coming months

✓ Able to demonstrate your ability to pay and retain staff (revenue, capital raised, or signed contracts)

✓ Committed to paying at least $21.76/hour — Detroit’s livable wage standard

✓ Hiring talent who resides in Southeast Michigan

Two paths. One fund. Built for where you are.

TRACK 1 — EARLY STAGE

For founders making their first few hires.

You’ve found product-market fit (or you’re getting close). Now you have to figure out how to actually hire, onboard, and develop your first team — without breaking what’s working.

You get:

Up to $10,000 per hire for credentialed training (or $5,000 for on-the-job training)
HR infrastructure support and 1:1 consulting through our partner network
On-the-job training tools, curriculum templates, and validation frameworks
Structured onboarding support, powered by Southeastern Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA)

Best for: Pre-seed to seed-stage companies, typically 1–10 employees, making their first 1–5 hires.

TRACK 2 — ESTABLISHED HIGH-GROWTH

For founders scaling fast.

You already have HR and operations in place. What you don’t have is the niche talent — ROS2 engineers, FDA-fluent QA leads, battery diagnostics techs, drone airworthiness specialists, etc. Public workforce programs can’t deliver that. We can help fill the gap.

You get:

Up to $10,000 per hire for credentialed training (or $5,000 for on-the-job training)
On-the-job-training training toolkit with curriculum templates
Curriculum validation and outcome measurement support
Connection to our talent pipeline and ecosystem partners

Best for: Series A/B companies, typically 10–75+ employees, hiring 5–15 people in the next 12 months.

From application to hire, in four steps.

Apply (June 1 – July 17, 2026) Submit your application through our online portal. Takes about 30 minutes.
Review (July 18 – August 7) Applications are reviewed by an external committee of ecosystem partners to ensure fairness and rigor.
Get Selected (August 7) Selected companies are notified and onboarded into the program.
Hire & Train (Fall 2026) Recruit your new hire, build your training plan with our templates, and receive training capital through milestone-based payments.

Considering applying? Come ask us anything.

We’re hosting five info sessions across Southeast Michigan in June and July. Each one is 30 minutes — a quick walkthrough of the two tracks, the application process, and what makes a strong submission. Plus open Q&A with the program team. Registration links are coming soon!

Date	Format	Location	Focus	RSVP
June 4	Virtual	Zoom	General overview	COMING SOON
June 11	In-Person	Newlab Detroit at Michigan Central	General overview	COMING SOON
June 18	In-Person	Bamboo Detroit	General overview	COMING SOON
June 25	In-Person	UMCI, Ann Arbor	General overview	COMING SOON
July 1	Virtual	Zoom	Robotics + Health Sciences focus	COMING SOON

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding can I receive? Up to $10,000 per new hire if the training results in an industry-recognized credential. Up to $5,000 per new hire for on-the-job training without a credential. Both tracks have the same funding caps.

Q: What can the funds be used for? Funds are designated for training costs only. They cannot be used for salaries, equipment, or onboarding expenses. The training can be external (a course, certification, or program) or on-the-job, with curriculum validation support from our academic partners.

Q: Does my company have to be based in Detroit? No. TITF is open to startups across all four counties of Southeast Michigan: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw. Your new hires must reside in Southeast Michigan.

Q: Do my hires have to be net-new? Yes. TITF funds training for new staff — not existing employees.

Q: What industries qualify? TITF prioritizes startups in tech, robotics, drones, health sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, mobility, and AI. If you’re unsure whether your company fits, join an info session or reach out.

Q: I applied in Year 1. Can I apply again? Yes. Previous applicants are welcome to apply for Year 2.

Q: What if I don’t have HR infrastructure in place? That’s exactly what Track 1 is designed for. You’ll receive operational support, HR consulting, and onboarding assistance through our partner network — including the Southeastern Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA).

Q: How are applications reviewed? Applications are vetted by an external review committee of ecosystem partners to ensure fairness, efficacy, and rigor.

Q: When will I hear back? Selections will be made and companies notified by August 7, 2026.

Q: Is this a loan? No. TITF provides direct grant capital — it does not need to be repaid.

Made possible by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

The Talent Innovation Training Fund is supported by a three-year, $2.25 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, under their Young Adults & Working Families strategy. Their investment is focused on building innovative pathways to high-quality jobs that don’t require a four-year degree — work that aligns directly with TITF’s mission to connect Southeast Michigan talent to the careers being built right here.

Learn more about the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Ready to fund your next hire?

Applications open June 1 and close July 17, 2026.

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