DETROIT — Detroit’s iconic Gem Theatre will host the state’s first Michigan Tech Week Oct. 12 and 13. Michigan Tech Week will consist of two full days of premier events to celebrate Michigan’s high-growth tech ecosystem.
“Michigan Tech Week will bring together major stakeholders in Michigan’s tech ecosystem to collaborate with hundreds of attendees and drive opportunities to high-growth startups,” said Trista Van Tine, executive director of Michigan Founders Fund, the sponsoring company. “We can’t think of a better city to host the inaugural event than Detroit, which was recognized as the No. 1 emerging startup ecosystem globally, according to Startup Genome’s 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report.”
The two-day event will feature a variety of keynotes, venture networking, founder panels, cultural tours of Detroit, Black Founders Brunch, happy hours and a closing celebration party. Featured keynote speakers include author and entrepreneur Pete Wilkins, MillerKnoll Vice President of Global Research and Insight Ryan Anderson, as well as moderated discussions led by entrepreneurs, Dug Song and Jason Raznick. Michigan Tech Week will also showcase a first-of-its-kind venture pitch competition featuring promising Michigan startups, which is sponsored by The Song Foundation, and participants will have the chance to win over $100,000. www.michigantechweek.com/venture-competition-application
“The Song Foundation is proud to support Michigan Tech Week by sponsoring its startup venture pitch competition,” said Executive Director Khalilah Burt Gaston. “We share the same vision and mission with Michigan Tech Week as far as providing access to capital, connections and clarity around Michigan resources.”
Ted Velie is a co-founder of Midwest House and a Michigan Tech Week coalition member.
“Building a successful tech company can be a great thing for a few people. Building a vibrant tech community can be a game changer for a whole region,” he said. “Tech Week will be a foundational piece for a growing community that will be open to our entire state.”
Van Tine noted Michigan was the fastest growing state for VC investment from 2016 to 2020, and there have been major VC-backed success stories in every part of the state.
“The inaugural Michigan Tech Week in Detroit will pave the way for future cities to play host in the years to come, such as Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids,” Van Tine said.
Michigan Tech Week is possible through the collective efforts of Michigan Founders Fund, Midwest House, Endeavor Great Lakes, Intermitten, Bamboo, Cahoots, Shine & Rise, Start Garden, Techstars Detroit and Venture Catalysts.
For more information, visit www.michigantechweek.com.
Key Panels:
Oct. 12:
The Recession Proof Vertical: Growing a FinTech Company
Jason Raznick, CEO, Benzinga
Steve Roberts, CEO, Autobooks
Kevin Heras, CEO, InvestNext
Kathleen Craig, CEO, Plinqit
How I’m Doing It: First-Time Founder Hustle
Danielle Smith Parker, CEO, Detroit Maid
Prashant Salla, CEO, FixMyCar
Sydney Davis, CEO, NixCode
Brian Olatunji, CEO, ReadiCharge
Oct.13:
The Future is Now: ClimateTech/Energy Innovation
Danny Ellis, CEO, SkySpecs
Dr. Deeana Ahmed, VP Strategy and Government Relations, Our Next Energy, Inc.
Kylee Guenther, CEO, Pivot Materials
Chris Thomas, Co-Founder & Partner, Assembly Ventures
Midwest’s Best Kept Secret: Michigan HQ Advantage
Dug Song, Chief Strategy Officer, Cisco Security
Lisa McLaughlin, Co-CEO, Workit Health
Katie Hall, CEO, Claira
Mykolas Rambus, CEO, Hush
Mike Duncan, CEO, Bankjoy
Early bird tickets of $99 are currently available to purchase at www.michigantechweek.com/registration.
