Grand Circus And Invest Detroit Announce New Hacker Fellows Program

DETROIT, Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Graduating college seniors with degrees in computer science and related majors from an accredited 4-year college or university need to look no further than Hacker Fellows, a cutting-edge program that allows them to work as a developer at a Michigan start-up. This program, administered by Grand Circus in partnership with Invest Detroit, gives graduating college seniors a unique and compelling opportunity to launch into the Michigan start-up scene.

The Hacker Fellows Program is actively recruiting college graduating seniors that are craving an impactful learning and work experience in technology. Individuals selected for the Program will complete a six-week session of hands-on training in Grand Circus' state-of-the-art classroom space in Detroit. During this period, Fellows will be given the tools to develop necessary entrepreneurial and technical skills needed to succeed in a start-up community.

"Michigan start-ups are constantly looking to fill top developer talent for their companies," said Bradley Hoos, Head of Community Programs and co-founder of Grand Circus. "Our program, through generous support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will attract some of the best talent to Michigan and promote job creation within the tech community."

With a location in Michigan's thriving technology hub, fellows will benefit from creating relationships with entrepreneurs and learn the logistics of entrepreneurship. Once the six week course is completed, fellows will be placed with a Michigan start-up, working as a software developer for the remainder of the year-long fellowship. Fellows will receive a minimum annualized salary of $60,000 during their fellowship year.

"We're excited to launch this program in concert with Grand Circus as a way to cultivate and retain talent at start-ups throughout the state, which will in turn generate more commercially viable companies, creating density and jobs," said Martin Dober, Vice President, Invest Detroit.  "Our organization's First Step and Detroit Innovate funds are focused on providing financing and programmatic tools to promote the formation and development of high-growth companies in Detroit and the region." 

For more information about how to apply to be a Hacker Fellow or for how to have your start-up hire top young developer talent, please visit www.hackerfellows.com.

Funds for this initiative were provided by the 21st Century Jobs Fund, a MSF program designed to accelerate the growth and diversification of Michigan's economy.  The MEDC, a public-private partnership between the state and local communities, provides administrative support for the 21st Century Jobs Fund.  The MEDC markets Michigan and provides the tools and environment to drive job creation and investment.  For more information on the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org.

About Grand Circus

Grand Circus is an inspired learning institute in the heart of downtown Detroit on a mission to elevate the tech community. Offering courses in web & mobile development, business, and design, Grand Circus pinpoints the most acute technological skill gaps. Based in the historic Broderick Tower, Grand Circus' space was designed to inspire collaboration and creativity. Selected as one of seven Google for Entrepreneurs tech hubs in North America, Grand Circus serves as a platform for start-ups and established organizations to thrive and grow. For more information visit www.grandcircus.co.

About Invest Detroit

Invest Detroit is a 501(c)(3) organization and certified Community Development Financial Institution managing more than $200 million in loan funds and New Markets Tax Credit allocations used for economic development.  As a leading source of private sector gap financing, Invest Detroit utilizes a variety of targeted financing tools which include two early-stage investment funds: the First Step Fund and Detroit Innovate.  Invest Detroit supports businesses through financing for a variety of needs with a focus on support for job creation, expansion of the tax base and an improved quality of life in underserved communities, primarily in the City of Detroit. 

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SOURCE Grand Circus

Related Links

http://www.grandcircus.co