09/01/2026
Dan Kurin seems omnipresent in Flint’s entrepreneurship and community circles. He has seen things from both sides; a small business owner getting support ramping up his tech start-up, and a growing business now working with multiple community organizations who use his Civic OS platform to streamline their operations.
Dan credits the Flint Entrepreneurial Ecosystem with helping him establish his business. “This February, SIPI ran a workshop on writing partnership MOUs. A month later I signed one with Flint Innovative Solutions, and that partnership made our Community Foundation of Greater Flint grant application possible. I wouldn't have gotten there on my own.”
Along the way Dan has worked with most of the Ecosystem partners, as a client, a judge for pitch competitions, or a workshop presenter, including 100K Ideas, Best Practices Consulting, Factory Two, the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Michigan SBDC, SIPI, and the UM-Flint Office of Economic Development.
Two of his most impactful interactions were with 100K Ideas. First, as a new client starting The Binder – 100K’s custom business overview covering name, market research, searchability analysis, potential roadblocks, next steps and more. Second, as a result of working Civic OS through The Binder’s steps, Dan was able to place second in a Pitch 4 $K competition, winning $1000 that he immediately reinvested into his business.
Four Flint organizations have Civic OS systems now. Mott Park Recreation Association has been live since January; neighbors book the clubhouse online, pay by card, and can see a public calendar. Flint Freedom Schools Collaborative runs their summer staff operations through it. Two more went live this spring, including one that works in six languages.
Civic OS is continuing to build on their strong start, keeping Dan busy on multiple fronts. “We're building Woven, a version of Civic OS for small nonprofits; the ones who've outgrown what they have but would never get a quote for custom software that made any sense for their budget."
“The approach is listening sessions first, so the modules come from what Flint nonprofits tell us they need rather than what I assume they need, then a pilot on a co-pay model so the cost lands somewhere a small nonprofit can carry.” Seeking out diverse resources is important, especially when a business is young. Civic OS has applied for a 100K Ideas Office Hours Innovation Grant to do usability testing with Flint residents who use assistive technology.
Dan knows the value of face-to-face interaction with providers, partners, and potential clients. “My best thinking doesn't happen at my desk; it happens in conversation, where there's enough friction to find out whether an idea actually holds up. The ecosystem gave me people willing to provide that friction.” He sums up his involvement with a simple statement:
"Because of the Flint Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, I stopped trying to work it out alone.”
If you’d like to get involved with the Ecosystem please follow us on Facebook, or email Milas Caudle at [email protected].
To learn more about how Civic OS could support your organization, visit their website or email Dan at [email protected].
