Community Corner

Northville's Kidpreneur Grows Tech-Savvy Skills in 'Tweens'

Thanh Tran, founder of Kidpreneur, says learning programming can't happen early enough.


Kidpreneur is a Northville company that brings "tweens" up to speed on entrepreneurship and the industry's latest technology.

"The idea has been floating around for close to a year," said Thanh Tran, 44, of Novi, who founded and runs Kidpreneur. 

Tran, a hands-on dad who started his own tech companies, tested the idea in August via workshops at the Northville and Novi libraries. It went to what Tran calles "Kidpreneur Version 2.0" in September when he partnered with Northville's Digital Roots, 235 East Main St., to house the classes. 

"It's great to take advantage of the creativity/building side, but our focus is programming," he said. "Because it's a second language now."

About 50 kids have taken classes on web design, Android app development, Lego robotics and more, which all use free software accessible after the class is over. The Kidpreneur flagship class teaches kids how to start a business from stage one to their first customer. 

>>See the video above to learn about one 10-year-old girl's business model developed through Kidpreneur's flagship class.

The Northville girl came up with a company called "Walking Paws" and used the Lean Start-Up methodology to develop the problem the business solves — getting dogs more exercise, cost, revenue and a marketing strategy. She also created a plan for giving back as a business owner in the community.

Getting girls interested in technology

Kidpreneur also aims to get girls interested in technology at an earlier age.

"How do we get more young girls into our tech classes?" Tran said.

It can be a challenge, like the Android app class that is currently all boys, but it isn't impossible. Tran hired Erika Carlson of Detroit-based Girl Develop It to get girls involved and offer classes next year solely for girls. 

Expansion on the horizon

Kidpreneur serves 9- to 13-year-olds from Northville and the surrounding communities. However, kids come from as far away as St. Clair Shores and Oakland Township.

"We've been doing so well that Detroit is asking us to come out," he said.

The plan is to create a satellite office in downtown Detroit through D:hive, a welcome center in Detroit’s central business district. Despite the potential for expansion, Kidpreneur is still in its pilot phase. Then in January, Kidpreneur "goes live" with eight established classes. Next year's plans also include animation and iOS app classes, hackathons and pairing kids with entrepreneurs for one-on-one coaching.

All classes are a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, nine weeks with one and a half hour sessions and range from $249 to $399. To find out more about Kidpreneur, visit the company from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 for its Open House and Demo Day.


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