INNOVATE® Detroit

Innovations of the World

INNOVATE® Detroit

Introducing INNOVATE® Detroit: Celebrating Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship in the Heart of Michigan.

INNOVATE® Detroit is a groundbreaking journey into the beating heart of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship that defines the state of Michigan. In this inaugural edition, we proudly present the inspiring stories of the thought leaders, visionaries, and groundbreaking innovators who are shaping the destiny of the region, reaffirming Detroit’s undeniable status as a thriving hub of progress.

A Beacon of Innovation: Detroit has long been a city synonymous with innovation, resilience, and the pioneering spirit. From the iconic automobile industry to groundbreaking advancements in technology, this city has continuously pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. INNOVATE® Detroit stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the city and its people to forge ahead, overcoming challenges, and transforming them into opportunities.

The Creative Capital: Creativity is woven into the fabric of Detroit’s identity. From music that has transcended generations to architectural marvels that grace the skyline, Detroit is a haven for those who dare to dream and create. INNOVATE® Detroit showcases the brilliant minds behind the city’s artistic, cultural, and creative renaissance, illuminating the path forward for those who wish to leave their mark on the world.

A Thriving Ecosystem: Entrepreneurship flourishes in the bustling landscape of Detroit, where a robust ecosystem supports the growth of startups, established businesses, and daring visionaries. INNOVATE® Detroit introduces you to the luminaries who are not only shaping their industries but are also fostering an environment where innovation and collaboration flourish, propelling the region onto the global stage.

A Collective Vision: This book is more than a collection of stories; it’s a testament to the collective vision that is driving Detroit towards an exciting future. It’s an invitation to join the ranks of the dreamers, the doers, and the disruptors who believe that innovation can change the world. INNOVATE® Detroit is a celebration of the city’s rich history and an exploration of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

As you turn the pages of INNOVATE® Detroit, prepare to be inspired by the incredible tales of resilience, ingenuity, and the unwavering spirit of Detroit. We invite you to join us on this remarkable journey as we pay homage to the innovators who are shaping Detroit’s destiny, proving that from the Motor City to the world, innovation knows no bounds.

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Thought Leaders

Featured Innovators

Featured Innovators

StockX

Leading Next Gen Retail

The Birth of a Marketplace Revolution. In 2016, in downtown Detroit, a disruptive idea took shape—one that would forever change the way people buy and sell limited-edition sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles. StockX, the brainchild of Greg Schwartz, Josh Luber, Dan Gilbert, and Chris Kaufman, was built on a simple yet...

AUTOMATION ALLEY

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT EMBRACING DIGITAL INNOVATION WITH AUTOMATION ALLEY

In the heart of Detroit, Automation Alley propels Michigan into a future defined by digital innovation. Explore the transformative impact of Industry 4.0 through the lens of our groundbreaking initiatives. In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Automation Alley is a key player in a signature Industry 4.0...

Endeavor

Fueling High-Impact Entrepreneurship in Detroit

Detroit’s entrepreneurial resurgence is being shaped by a powerful force: Endeavor. Since its establishment in the city in 2015, Endeavor Detroit has become a catalyst for scaling high-growth companies, selecting and supporting founders who have the potential to transform economies. More than just a business accelerator or an investment firm,...

Plug and Play Detroit

Driving the Future of Mobility

A city synonymous with automotive innovation, Plug and Play’s Detroit operation is making waves with its groundbreaking approach to mobility. As a global leader in fostering innovation, Plug and Play has established itself as a critical player in the tech ecosystem. However, in Detroit, the organization is doing more than...

PURPOSE JOBS

The Startup Storytellers

Everyone has heard about Apple, or Meta, or Uber. But what about StockX, or Autobooks, or KLA? When the economy crashed in 2008, it was standard for Michiganders to graduate from school here and find work in another state. Many flocked to tech jobs on the coasts. But in the...

FRANCO

The Power of Relationships, Culture & Innovation Propels Franco to 60 Years of Success

When you think of Detroit and the public relations industry, it may not be obvious at first how much they have in common. But anyone working in the PR industry in the city will tell you both have weathered significant changes over the past several decades. Founded in 1964 in...

FRANCO

The Power of Relationships, Culture & Innovation Propels Franco to 60 Years of Success

When you think of Detroit and the public relations industry, it may not be obvious at first how much they have in common. But anyone working in the PR industry in the city will tell you both have weathered significant changes over the past several decades. Founded in 1964 in...

TECHTOWN DETROIT

Driving equitable economic development through entrepreneurship

“TechTown is foundational to the entrepreneurship community in and around Detroit and integral to Wayne State’s vision for innovation in the region,” said WSU President Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy. “In addition to elevating entrepreneurs in our community, TechTown’s community-based programs and services create enriching, impactful opportunities beyond the classroom for...

HRPro/BenePro

Exceptional Client Service And Innovation.

Throughout its almost 35-year history, two things have defined HRPro/BenePro – exceptional client service and innovation. Among its earlier innovations: While it is difficult to imagine a market without any of these, HRPro/BenePro helped create new categories when they first dived into them. More recently, they have been focused on...

SOUTHWEST DETROIT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (SDBA)

Powering Progress, Building Legacy

Since 1957, the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) has been the backbone of economic development in one of Detroit’s most dynamic and culturally rich areas. With a steadfast commitment to championing local businesses, revitalizing infrastructure, and fostering a thriving community, SDBA has evolved into a powerhouse for equitable economic growth...

MENLO INNOVATIONS

RETURNING JOY TO TECHNOLOGY!

Welcome to Menlo Innovations, a custom software design & development firm whose mission, since its founding in 2001, is to end human suffering in the world as it relates to technology.® Menlo’s primary goal has always been to return joy to technology, for the business sponsors who pay for it...

RIVET WORK, INC

Scheduling and moving labor across construction projects sounds simple. But in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a never-ending process that’s nigh impossible to do accurately, efficiently and indefinitely. To make this less of a hurdle, RIVET Work Inc. (RIVET) created a Workforce Management platform tailor-made for...

TREMEC

A Tier 1 Supplier Continuously Innovating and Elevating Performance

TREMEC is a leading manufacturer of high-performance, highly engineered propulsion and driveline systems, subsystems, and componentry supporting conventional, hybrid, and fully electrified vehicles. TREMEC is agile and vertically integrated focusing on niche and moderate-volume applications across abroad spectrum of sectors including passenger car, commercial truck, vocational truck, off-highway heavy-duty, off-road...

Detroit Venture Partners

Shaping the Future of Tech in Detroit and Beyond

Founded in 2010 by Dan Gilbert, the visionary behind Rocket Companies and Rocket Mortgage, Detroit Venture Partners (DVP) is at the forefront of Detroit’s entrepreneurial renaissance. Gilbert’s leadership in reshaping industries through his companies extends seamlessly into DVP, a venture capital firm committed to investing in bold entrepreneurs and game-changing...

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE

The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey

DETROIT’S ECONOMIC RENAISSANCE-The Detroit Development Fund’s 25-Year Journey Towards Inclusive Prosperity In the heart of Detroit’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape, the Detroit Development Fund (DDF) has emerged as a devoted ally for local businesses, catalyzing economic growth and fostering lasting community development. Over the past 25 years, this organization, originally known...

METALBUILT

Forming the Future of Mobility

Metalbuilt understands the importance of leveraging generations of manufacturing wisdom to shape the future of mobility in our world. When walking through their Metro Detroit facility, one will see a synchronized dance of large metal stamping presses cycling up and down, sparks flying behind welding curtains, and high-tech lasers cutting...

Centrepolis Accelerator

Empowering Hardtech Startups & Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing

Centrepolis Accelerator @ LTU is committed to strengthening supply chain resiliency to drive economic growth and innovation in Michigan. It offers hardtech startups and small to medium-sized manufacturers access to product development services and tailored funding solutions, ensuring they have the resources needed to scale and succeed. Centrepolis Accelerator @LTU’s...

LIVAQ

Building the Future of Electric Off-Road, Empowering Adventure

Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, Livaq is redefining the off-road vehicle industry with an innovative all-electric approach. As the first company solely dedicated to electric off-road vehicles (ORVs), Livaq is driving a critical shift away from traditional gas-powered machines and toward a cleaner, more efficient future. The company’s mission is to...

Breadless

Fuel Your Next Move

In a market dominated by fast-food giants, Breadless has emerged as a bold disruptor, transforming fast-casual dining with its nutrient-packed, bread-free innovation. This Detroit-born brand is redefining how Americans fuel their lives by replacing traditional bread with leafy super greens. At Breadless, meals are not just sustenance — they’re catalysts...

Driven

Ending legal debt traps with smart payments

In the U.S., over 11 million people havehad their driver’s licenses suspendeddue to unpaid fines. This isn’t just aninconvenience – it’s a direct hit to financialstability. Losing the ability to drive meanslosing access to jobs, education, andessential services. In cities like Detroit,where public transit is unreliable, asuspended license can mean...

CommuniTee

Your New Favorite Way to Golf with Friends

CommuniTee Golf began with a simple revelation during a college football game:a room full of friends and acquaintances who never realized they shared a love for golf and had never played together. This moment sparked the creation of CommuniTee Golf, a platform designed to help golfers easily connect, find playing...

GENOMENON-Simplifying complex genetic data into actionable insights

Simplifying complex genetic data into actionable insights

Genomenon is a leading genomic intelligence company dedicated to improving the quality of patients’ lives by uncovering the genomic drivers of genetic disease and cancer. Blending the power of AI with genomic expertise, Genomenon simplifi es complex genetic data into actionable insights for patient diagnosis and precision medicine development. With...

HEXAGON CREATIVE

ELEVATING DIGITAL PRESENCE -Hexagon Creative’s Web Design and Branding Services

Hexagon Creative, a visionary in digital product development, extends its prowess to offer exceptional web design and branding services. Recognizing the pivotal role of an impactful online presence in today’s digital landscape, Hexagon Creative brings innovation, creativity, and a commitment to excellence to the realms of web design and branding....

InvestNext

Fostering Growth and Potential

InvestNext is on a mission to transform how investment firms raise and manage real estate investment capital. Founded in 2016 by Michael Gisi, Kevin Heras, and Matthew Attou, this Detroit startup was conceived to revolutionize how the industry operates. What they’ve created democratizes real estate investing and empowers investors to...

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The Publisher

Aaron Cohen

Born and raised in Metro Detroit, it is the honor of my career to bring INNOVATE® Detroit to life. There’s something different about this city. It’s an attitude – a never-ending mission to turn lofty aspirations into reality. To build the world we wish to experience. A spirit of innovation. I’ve been fortunate to witness... click to read more

The Publisher

Aaron Cohen

Born and raised in Metro Detroit, it is the honor of my career to bring INNOVATE® Detroit to life. There’s something different about this city. It’s an attitude – a never-ending mission to turn lofty aspirations into reality. To build the world we wish to experience. A spirit of innovation. I’ve been fortunate to witness... click to read more

Other Ecosystems