Alex RileyEntrepreneur. Operator. Business builder.
Alex Riley

I build better businesses.

I'm Alex Riley, a Detroit entrepreneur and operator with more than 15 years of experience building, acquiring, scaling, and revitalizing businesses across real estate, hospitality, staffing, workforce development, services, and technology.

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Personal recognition

DBusiness 30 In Their 30s
Inc. 30 Under 30
SBA Michigan Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Crain's 20 in Their 20s

Entrepreneur and operator

How I Do It.

My job is to do three things well: identify opportunities, align resources, and provide leadership.
Alex Riley

I've spent my career turning ideas and opportunities into operating businesses. Sometimes that has meant starting from scratch. Other times it's meant acquiring a company, and either fixing what isn't working or finding a way to grow it.

Along the way, I've raised capital, redeveloped commercial properties, opened venues, scaled labor-intensive companies, built teams, and implemented technology to make businesses run better.

Current & past work

Built. Scaled. Revitalized.

TK Fund

A Detroit real-estate investment firm acquiring and repositioning underutilized Corktown commercial assets.

Awards

  • 30 In Their 30s, DBusiness (2020)
Brooklyn Detroit

A 14,000-square-foot Detroit event venue developed from a vacant warehouse and gravel lot.

Awards

  • Couples’ Choice Award, WeddingWire (2023, 2025)
Lager House

A historic Detroit live-music venue revitalized through better space, programming, and hospitality operations.

Awards

  • Detroit Legacy Business Project Grant Recipient (2025)
  • Best Venue for Rock ’n’ Roll, Metro Times (2025, 2024)
  • Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, MCSB (2025)
MeritHall

A staffing and bulk-materials company serving contractors across Michigan and Ohio.

Awards

  • 30 Under 30, INC Magazine (2018)
  • #38 Inner City 100, Fortune Magazine (2017)
  • #4 Inner City 100, Fortune Magazine (2016)
  • Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award, Fortune Magazine (2016)
  • #165 INC 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America, INC Magazine (2015)
  • #1 INC 500 Fastest Growing Companies in Michigan, INC Magazine (2015)
  • “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America”, Entrepreneur Magazine (2015)
Detroit Training Center

A workforce-development organization preparing Detroiters for skilled jobs.

Awards

  • Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, MCSB (2019)
  • Detroit Demo Day 1st Runner Up (2017)
  • NEIdeas Grand Prize Grant Recipient (2016)
  • Motor City Match Grant Recipient (2015)
Ringo Services

A facilities-management business operating across labor-intensive, multi-site environments.

Awards

  • Michigan 50 Companies to Watch, MCSB (2018)

Current

Where I'm focused now.

If the opportunity calls for an experienced entrepreneur who can move between strategy and execution, I'd be glad to hear about it.

Startup / Co-founder

Building or joining the right venture where operating experience, technology, and execution create an advantage.

Discuss a venture

C-Suite

Entrepreneurial operating leadership for companies navigating growth, complexity, transformation, or revitalization.

Discuss a leadership role

Board Member

Board and advisory roles where practical experience across operations, capital, technology, real estate, and people is useful.

Discuss board work