Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) and small business incubator Ponyride have joined forces to help boost entrepreneurship in Detroit’s neighborhoods.

The partnership will offer approximately 20,000 square feet of co-working and manufacturing space across three locations in Detroit and Highland Park.

“Collaborating with Ponyride allows us to create a multigenerational pathway to economic mobility through neighborhood entrepreneurship,” says Shawn H. Wilson president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan. “Funding is only going to become more challenging for social impact organization and together Ponyride and BGCSM can decrease expenses while increasing impact for the communities we serve.”

The Ponyride program, under management of BGCSM, will continue to focus on breaking the poverty cycle for youth by creating economic mobility opportunities for the whole family. More than 50 percent of youth and their families are struggling to meet basic needs according to United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s ALICE report. This partnership aligns with BGCSM’s mission to fight poverty through economic mobility opportunities and providing resources in the community.

Since 2011, Ponyride has successfully incubated 45 Detroit-based small businesses including The Lip Bar, Empowerment Plan, Détroit is the New Black, Rebel Nell and Detroit Denim—with alumni generating more than $20M in annual revenue. The new partnership will provide space and resources for businesses that are in the health and beauty, culinary, technology and professional service industries. Programs will focus on women and entrepreneurs of color.

“This is an incredible opportunity for Ponyride to work deeper in Detroit neighborhoods by partnering with an organization that has been so much for so many,” says Phil Cooley, co-founder of Ponyride. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with BGCSM and hope we can play a larger role in supporting the whole family by providing upward mobility for our social entrepreneurs of all ages.”

For all residents, the new Ponyride will offer:

• Partially subsidized below market rental spaces
• Affordable co-working space
• Community amenities—production and design studios, innovation lab, laundromat, test kitchen and fitness center
• Drop-in childcare
• FREE Intern and apprentice feeder program
• Alumni mentoring program
• Members only events and experiences

Additionally, the Ponyride Market will relaunch virtually on June 13 with an online small business marketplace, celebrity guest speakers, food demonstration, and more.

New Ponyride locations will be based inside three BGCSM Clubs:

• Dick and Sandy Dauch Club (Ponyride West)
• Fauver-Martin Club (Ponyride East)
• Diehl Club (Ponyride South)

At least four of the following Ponyride residents will make their new home within one of new locations:’

• Lotoya Vongrechin with V Agency
• Alecia Gabriel, Chinonye Akunne, Deirdre Roberson with Motor City S.T.E.A.M.
• Rhonda Greene with Heritage Works and Sew Great Detroit, a social enterprise of Alternative for Girls

For more information on how to become a Ponyride member or resident visit ponyride.org.

  Alternative for Girls, Chinonye Akunne, Detroit Denim, Detroit is the New Black, economic growth in Detroit neighborhoods, Empowerment Plan, entrepreneurship in Detroit, expanding entrepreneurship in Detroit, Heritage Works, Neighborhoods, Ponyride, Rebel Nell, Sew Great Detroit, The Lip Bar., V Agency