There’s a lot to be excited about in Detroit’s startup and entrepreneurial scene as of late. The final of three major events just this month, Detroit Startup Week, just released its marquee speaker lineup. They include:
- Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company
- Jennifer Piepszak, CEO of Chase Business
- Danielle Weisberg & Carly Zakin, co-founders, theSkimm
- Tami Door, president and CEO, Downtown Denver Partnership and co-founder of Denver Startup Week
- Mike Duggan, mayor, city of Detroit
- Jason Mendelson, co-founder, Foundry Group
- Pamela Lewis, director, New Economy Initiative
- Eugene Richards & Patricia Lay-Dorsey, artists, Facing Change: Documenting Detroit
- Devita Davison, co-director, FoodLab
- April Boyle, director, Build Institute
- Garlin Gilchrist II, deputy technology director for civic community engagement, city of Detroit
Detroit Startup Week will feature more than 100 events with 2,500 participants expected over five days, running from May 23 through May 27, 2016.
“Our city is unlike any other, with both ingenuity and a welcoming spirit, brilliance and grit, and opportunities abound. Detroit Startup Week is designed to glue together those opportunities, celebrate what’s already working, and lay the groundwork for what’s to come,” said Kyle Bazzy, lead organizer.
Powered by Chase, Detroit Startup Week is a way to celebrate and support entrepreneurship in Detroit. All the activities are free, and startups, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts are all welcome to attend to sharpen their business skills, grow their networks, and beef up their knowledge of opportunities in the Detroit region.
“Entrepreneurs are playing an invaluable role in Detroit’s comeback,” said Jennifer Piepszak, CEO of Chase Business Banking, whose firm has committed $100 million over five years to Detroit’s economic recovery. “Detroit Startup Week™ is a great opportunity to recognize small businesses’ importance to the city’s recovery and to ensure they gain access to the necessary resources to support and grow.”
There will be 10 learning tracks offered to entrepreneurs at all levels: technology, entrepreneurship 101, mobility, music, food-preneurship, art and design, civic innovation, neighborhood collaboration, social entrepreneurship, and the Internet of things (IoT).
“More than a century ago, Ford Motor Company was a startup business that applied innovative thinking and collaboration to get where it is today,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We are proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs at Detroit Startup Week who embody that same spirit.”
Sessions aligned with the 10 tracks, including fireside chats and panels, networking opportunities, happy hours, and free headshots for entrepreneurs will round out the week. Events will happen all over the city, at venues including Civilla, Grand Circus, Techtown, and Bamboo Detroit. The historic Masonic Temple will act as event headquarters and will be known as #ChaseBasecamp.
Interested in taking advantage of these great opportunities for entrepreneurs? Register for Detroit Startup Week at http://detroit.startupweek.co.