Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program reaches 1,000-graduate milestone

DETROIT - The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program has reached a major milestone, graduating its 1,000th entrepreneur since launching at Wayne State University in 2014.

For more than a decade, the program has helped entrepreneurs across Southeast Michigan strengthen their companies, create jobs and contribute to regional economic growth. The program is housed within Wayne State's Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) and has become a key component of the university's efforts to support entrepreneurship and small business development.

The milestone comes as small businesses continue to play an outsized role in driving job creation, neighborhood investment and economic opportunity throughout Detroit, Southeast Michigan and beyond.

"When we talk about economic development, it's easy to get lost in the world of statistics and charts. But it's really about helping people build better futures for themselves, their families and their communities," said Ned Staebler, president and CEO of TechTown and vice president for economic development at Wayne State. "One of Wayne State's greatest strengths is bringing knowledge, talent and opportunity together in ways that make a real, immediate difference in people's lives. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a fantastic example of that, and we are so proud of the team for their outstanding work."

"This milestone represents 1,000 entrepreneurs who made the commitment to step away from the daily demands of running their companies and focus on long-term growth," said DEED's Destiny Williams, outreach manager for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit. "And ultimately, when small businesses grow, communities grow. Our graduates' success strengthens Detroit's economy, supports the people who live and work here, and ensures we're continuing to make Southeast Michigan a destination where people can achieve their dreams."

Benito Wong, founder and owner of Empanada My Love, was recognized as the program's 1,000th graduate. Founded in 2022 and based in Oxford, Mich., Empanada My Love is a family-owned cafe and empanada shop that specializes in handcrafted empanadas inspired by Latin American flavors and local ingredients.

"Being this program's 1,000th graduate feels like a celebration of perseverance," Wong said. "This opportunity helped me transform challenges into tremendous opportunities by giving me the confidence and clarity to grow Empanada My Love into something that truly reflects who we are and how far we can go."

Before joining the program, Wong said he was unsure which direction his business should take. But through 12 weeks of classroom instruction, individualized business advising, mentoring and peer support, he gained greater clarity about his company's future.

"The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Wayne State gave me the tools I needed to think strategically," Wong said. "Throughout the program, I redefined our operations, reconnected with our mission and built a clear plan for sustainable growth. I learned to see our restaurant not just as a kitchen, but as a brand with meaning, potential and a bigger future."

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a national program that has served more than 18,000 entrepreneurs across all 50 states since launching in 2009. Within six months of completing the program, 66% of alumni report increased revenue and 44% report creating new jobs. The program has 19 sites throughout the U.S. and, according to its 2025 15-Year Impact Report, its graduates have generated $27 billion in economic activity while creating 58,000 direct jobs.

The Detroit program holds classes at TechTown, Wayne State's entrepreneurship hub, and hosts three cohorts annually. It is designed for established small business owners who are ready to grow and scale their companies. Its curriculum combines classroom instruction, peer learning and real-world application. Participants strengthen critical areas of their businesses, including negotiation, marketing, financial management, operations and employee development, while creating customized plans for sustainable growth.

By investing in small businesses and their owners, the program supports job creation, community stability and equitable, long-term economic mobility throughout Detroit, Southeast Michigan and beyond.

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program is accepting applications for its Winter 2027 cohort, which begins in January 2027. Small business owners interested in participating are encouraged to apply by Oct. 1, 2026.

Eligible business owners can learn more and apply through the apply through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit application website.

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