February 18, 2005

Program Manager at Detroit\'s TechTown Selected as a Finalist in National Entrepreneur Competition

Vies for $20,000 grand prize in Chicago on February 18

(Detroit) February 17, 2005--Scott McZeal, a program manager at TechTown--a c ommunity of entrepreneurs building technology businesses in Detroit--has been selected as one of 15 finalists nationwide in the 2005 Miller Urban Entrepreneurs Series Business Plan Competition. Chosen from more than 300 entrants, finalists will battle for one of five $20,000 awards by giving presentations before a panel of judges in Chicago on February 18.

McZeal, also third-year student in Wayne State University\'s joint JD/MBA program, and his partner Robbyn Ennis placed as finalists with their business plan for TheUrbanFlavor.com. An online entertainment and culture resource for African Americans, their site will begin serving the Detroit and Chicago markets in 2006 and expand to ten cities in five years.

"TechTown is here to help with the creation of technology businesses and TheUrbanFlavor.com fits firmly in the middle of that. As the city of Detroit is going through a renaissance creating a new landscape of entertainment and cultural experiences, UrbanFlavor.com can lead the way," says TechTown Executive Director Howard Bell. "Scott has been a valuable contributor to our efforts here and we are extremely proud."

McZeal attributes his rapid business development to a workplace environment designed to cultivate entrepreneurs. "I\'m working with incredibly talented people and that\'s contributed to personal growth, growth as an entrepreneur, educational growth and a growth in confidence," he says of his tenure at TechTown. "This energy here really puts a fire under anybody that has ideas or desires to be an entrepreneur."

Entrepreneurs ages 21 to 35 are eligible to compete in the highly selective annual contest, which drew more entries this year than ever before. Winners will be notified by March 31.

Since the program\'s debut in 2000, 40 entrepreneurs have won $450,000. Miller partners with several community organizations across the country, including the Detroit Urban League, to coordinate business seminars and the annual business plan competition.

ABOUT TECHTOWN:
TechTown provides the support and access to capital needed to build technology businesses in Detroit. We are a community of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, service providers and corporate partners. TechTown\'s mission is to contribute to the economic renaissance of downtown Detroit by creating an internationally recognized entrepreneurial village.