What we’re about
Description: The Flint Area Innovation & Entrepreneurship Meetup Group attracts entrepreneurs, investors, social media guru's, graphic and game designers, computer programmers and developers, and cool people from all walks of life. We strive to play a significant role in helping one another's company/ideas grow and create a solid startup culture in the Flint area! We look forward to meeting you all!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- C-Suite to Main Street: Masterclass in Disrupting an Established IndustryLink visible for attendees
Join The U.S Chamber of Commerce (online) on July 10 for an exclusive masterclass with PopUp Bagels.
Tune in July 10 at noon ET for C-Suite to Main Street: A Masterclass in Disrupting an Established Industry, featuring Adam Goldberg, founder of PopUp Bagels.
Goldberg, a seasoned entrepreneur, is driven by a lifelong passion for food and hospitality and has made it his mission to redefine the traditional bagel experience. Through the power of social media and brand partnerships, PopUp Bagels has grown quickly into a thriving business, drawing national attention with a dozen locations and 150 more planned in the next few years.
Join us as Goldberg shares what inspired him to disrupt the traditional bagel business with our editorial director, Barbara Thau. They’ll dive into the specifics of how PopUp came to be and how staying laser-focused on a narrow, differentiated product assortment allowed this disruptive business to innovate and excel in an established industry.
Register today to secure your spot: https://buff.ly/ao8DJdQ
- Financial Foundation for Growth (Food Based Businesses)Crim Fitness Foundation, Flint, MI
Financial Foundation – July 16, 2025
Know your numbers, fuel your strategy. In the second session, participants will break down their cost of goods sold (COGS), pricing, and profit margins, then build or refine basic income statements and cash flow projections.
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/SBSHFoodBusinessWorkshop
Facilitator:
Ederique “Chef E” Goudia is a Detroit-based food business leader with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of In the Business of Food (IBF Detroit), Chef E provides expert coaching and facilitation services to food entrepreneurs and nonprofits, helping them achieve their business goals, financial success, and economic mobility.
She also serves as the manager and business coach for the Shed 5 Incubator Kitchen at Eastern Market, where she connects local food businesses with critical resources and support. Her expertise spans topics such as entrepreneurship, food justice, child nutrition, food waste reduction, local food systems, mental health in hospitality, and systemic inequities in the food industry.
Chef E’s work has been recognized by National Geographic, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, NPR, the James Beard Foundation, and more. Additionally, she serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including Detroit Food Academy and Eastside Community Network.
The Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, in partnership with the Michigan Good Food Fund, is hosting three Growth & Financial Fluency for Food Entrepreneurs workshops on July 9, 16, and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Crim Fitness Foundation’s offices at 719 Harrison St., Suite 102, in Flint.
A light breakfast will be served; pre-registration is required.
- SOUPer Mixer (Live on Zoom)Link visible for attendees
Register Here for Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/JulySOUPerMixer2025
Flint SOUP has always been about more than just micro-grants. It’s about people cheering each other on, sharing what we’re building, and staying connected as we grow.
Open to entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone who wants to connect with others in their community.
This virtual mixer is your chance to catch up with the community, meet 6-8 new faces, and hear what folks are dreaming up.
Whether you're launching something new, hitting a wall, or just want to feel more connected to the Flint SOUP community, we are here for it!
Just conversations and people, from the comfort of your home.
Bring your story and your heart. We’ll bring the breakout rooms. - Capital Readiness & Growth Planning for Food Based BusinessesCrim Fitness Foundation, Flint, MI
Capital Readiness & Growth Planning – July 23, 2025
Tell your story and make the ask! The final session will cover what lenders and investors look for in food businesses. Meanwhile, participants will draft a simple pitch deck or one-pager.
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/SBSHFoodBusinessWorkshop
Facilitator:
Ederique “Chef E” Goudia is a Detroit-based food business leader with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of In the Business of Food (IBF Detroit), Chef E provides expert coaching and facilitation services to food entrepreneurs and nonprofits, helping them achieve their business goals, financial success, and economic mobility.
She also serves as the manager and business coach for the Shed 5 Incubator Kitchen at Eastern Market, where she connects local food businesses with critical resources and support. Her expertise spans topics such as entrepreneurship, food justice, child nutrition, food waste reduction, local food systems, mental health in hospitality, and systemic inequities in the food industry.
Chef E’s work has been recognized by National Geographic, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, NPR, the James Beard Foundation, and more. Additionally, she serves on the boards of several nonprofits, including Detroit Food Academy and Eastside Community Network.
The Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub, in partnership with the Michigan Good Food Fund, is hosting three Growth & Financial Fluency for Food Entrepreneurs workshops on July 9, 16, and 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Crim Fitness Foundation’s offices at 719 Harrison St., Suite 102, in Flint.
A light breakfast will be served; pre-registration is required.
