Greg Schwartz
Where did you find your first employee?
The
UpTo team has 4 co-founders and we came together through a combination of networking, Twitter and local meet-ups.
Have you promoted an intern to employee status, and if so how many times have you done it?
Our first interns will be starting for us this summer and we definitely hope to bring one or more of them on board full-time after they graduate.
Where have you turned to find capital to grow your company and which institutions have provided it?
UpTo is backed by
Detroit Venture Partners and
Ludlow Ventures. In addition to providing capital, these Detroit-based VC's provide an immense amount of resources and strategic value on a daily basis.
What are some of the advantages to doing business here?
The top talent coming out of Michigan's universities, low cost of doing business, an entrepreneurial community that is one of the strongest and most passionate in the country and the opportunity to be a part of the incredible comeback happening right now in Detroit.
If you could change one thing about this region, what would it be?
I'd love to see the region implement a viable urban transportation system to connect the urban core with the suburban population and to connect Detroit's many neighborhoods.
What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about opening a business here?
Reach out to other local entrepreneurs, take advantage of the many events and resources available and spend a day working downtown. It takes just one afternoon working from a Detroit office, coffee shop or co-working space, to get a great look at all that Detroit has to offer.
What do you see in Metro Detroit that other people who live outside the area don't?
A region filled with passionate, hard working and determined people. A great city turning the corner and starting it's comeback.