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

THE SALVATION ARMY

MOBILIZING FOOD DISTRIBUTION EFFORTS IN METRO DETROIT THE SALVATION ARMY GREAT LAKES DIVISION

One Night in January 1988…One night in January 1988, a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services truck loaded up with 75 sandwiches, soup and hot chocolate to serve Detroit’s homeless. After driving around the city’s east side, the crew couldn’t find anyone to serve. When the truck pulled into an alley...

Bamboo

Building a Statewide Ecosystem

Bamboo began in 2013 out of a community movement. It was the first co-working space in Downtown Detroit. The organization’s model has since evolved to develop and operate hubs that serve as centers for entrepreneurship and creativity. When it started, Bamboo borrowed a $5,000 friends-and-family loan and activated a space...

SNIFFER ROBOTICS

Reaching New Heights Through Environmental Innovation

Sniffer Robotics has quickly become an industry leader in the environmental technology sector. The company develops unique solutions and provides crucial emissions monitoring services to the waste, biogas, and renewable natural gas industries. Their mission is clear: to detect and mitigate methane emissions to help protect our environment. Surface emissions...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Airspace Link

Pioneering Safe Drone Integration for a Connected Future

Throughout history, the advancement of human civilization has been intrinsically linked to the development of transportation infrastructure. Each era has brought forth revolutionary changes that reshaped our world, our economies, and our way of life. From the expansion of railroads in the 19th century to the rise of automobiles and...

Menace Media

A Movement of Creativity, Community, and Change

Menace Media was born in the heart of Detroit, a city built on resilience, creativity, and cultural revolution. More than just a media company, Menace Media is a movement—a platform designed to uplift, empower, and unite creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. What started as a passion project among friends has grown...

ANN ARBOR SPARK

Igniting Economic Innovation in Washtenaw County

Established in 2004 through a visionary initiative that included the University of Michigan and other community leaders, Ann Arbor SPARK was created to transform Ann Arbor into a national hub for innovation, business, and talent. Today, it is a catalyst for innovation and economic growth. Ann Arbor SPARK helps drive...

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...

Design Core Detroit

Plays a Critical Role in Amplifying the Impact of Detroit’s Innovation Community

With over a century of innovation in automobiles, a groundbreaking music scene, amazing architecture and one-of-a-kind fashion labels, DETROIT has long been a place where technical possibility meets great design. Few creative communities truly match the diversity and depth of Detroit’s design roots: a fact well reflected by its designation...

Duolingo

Duolingo's Detroit Journey: From Gunner to Hobbes and Animated Innovation.

In Detroit, two motion design studios were making waves in the animation world: Gunner, known for its bold illustration and character animation, and Hobbes, a leader in product-driven animation. The companies earned reputations for creativity and emotional intelligence, collaborating with high-profile clients for years. However, everything changed when Duolingo—the world’s...

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...

Consumers Energy

Powering Michigan’s Future with Reliability, Sustainability, and Community

For over a century, Consumers Energy has been the backbone of Michigan’s energy infrastructure, powering homes, businesses, and industries across the Lower Peninsula. Serving 6.8 million residents with electricity and natural gas, the company is more than an energy provider—it is an innovator driving sustainability and community-focused initiatives that ensure...

Bees in the D

Revitalizing Detroit’s Ecosystem, One Pollinator at a Time

In the heart of Detroit’s revitalization, an organization is buzzing with purpose – Bees in the D. Founded in 2016 by Brian Peterson-Roest, a lifelong educator and conservationist, this nonprofit has grown into a movement dedicated to protecting pollinators, restoring native habitats, and educating communities on the critical role these...

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...

DCI MARKETING

FOSTERS A CULTURE OF INNOVATION FOCUSED ON INVENTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR LEADING AUTOMOTIVE AND LIFESTYLE BRANDS, MAJOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS

Even in its earliest history, DCI Marketing was focused on brand-building. Originally known as ColorPrint Products Printing, the company built a name for itself producing window signage for shoe stores. But new opportunities with Cadillac and Harley-Davidson propelled DCI Marketing forward, establishing it as not only an innovative design firm,...

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...

Newlab

Building the Future of Sustainable Mobility at Michigan Central

Newlab is a global network of purpose-built innovation hubs that accelerates climate and deep tech time-to-market. Newlab provides startups with physical infrastructure, direct investment opportunities, and pilot partnerships to drive meaningful commercialization outcomes and economic development in energy, materials, and mobility. Newlab established its Detroit home in 2023 to enable...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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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