Detroit Impact Conference

Keynote for Ross Detroit Impact Conference

Transcript

1. Ross Impact Conference 2025
3. Sept 2018 $2.4B Nov 2020 $1.4B Jan 2021 $6B Apr 2021 $6B Apr 2021 $3.8B Feb 2023 $1.2B Oct 2024 $1.2B Dec 2024 $10.6B Jul 2024 $30B May 2022 $23.0B May 2022 $3.5B Sept 2024 $0.7B
4. UM #8 in VC-Backed Founders (undergrad, 2004) PitchBook Universities: Top 100 colleges ranked by startup founders: https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/pitchbook-university-rankings
5. But Only 3 of 46 UM Unicorns Are In Michigan
7. Ecosystems Need Verbs, Not Just Nouns Advocate Partner with business, education, and policymakers to ensure tech & innovation benefits all Promote Celebrate and amplify startup founders & impact; broadcast startup success Connect & Collaborate Build social infrastructure for founder-led ecosystem development, learning, inclusion Founders & Startups Engaging, attracting, supporting startups Capital Grow local capital and attract outside capital into the ecosystem Talent Attract, retain, and develop new talent and pathways Institutions & Infrastructure Culture & Community
8. Attract Founders & Investors Talent: Entrepreneurs, engineers, designers Investors: Angel networks, venture funds Facilitate Collaboration & Resources Resources: Mentorship, coworking spaces, funding Collaboration: Hackathons, industry meetups, partnerships Startup Success Stories Examples: IPOs, acquisition, international expansion Momentum: Founders reinvest expertise & capital into ecosystem Launch & Support Startups Actions: MVP development, customer acquisition, pitch competitions Support: Accelerators, early-stage funding, advisory networks, internships & talent development Connect Promote Advocate People & Networks, not Buildings & Institutions Collaborate
9. A2: A Culture of Learning, Teamwork, …
10. … and Revolution
12. Our Outposts of Innovation…  Bedrock Life Sciences District UM Center for Innovation Michigan Central Henry Ford + MSU Future of Health, WSU TechTown
13. …Need Bridges  Henry Ford + MSU Future of Health, WSU TechTown Bedrock Life Sciences District UM Center for Innovation Michigan Central Center for Tech Equity City Bus Lines D2A2 Bus QLine Streetcar Rosa Parks Transit Center DAX Bus People Mover
14. Equity: Reducing Distance to Power  
15. For Our Shared Prosperity In Detroit 
16. Detroit: Big Enough  To Matter In The World  Small Enough  For YOU To Matter In It! 
17. Jack Ma On An Entrepreneurial Career Teens: Be a Good Student, Learn to Learn 20s: Follow a Good Boss, not a Company 30s: Work for Yourself, Choose Best Field 40s: Be Aware of and Utilize Your Strengths 50s: Young People Lead; Invest In Them