Recently, we hosted 50 staff members from the University of Michigan’s Innovation Partnerships team for their annual retreat. While many attendees had lived in Southeast Michigan for years, several shared that they had limited familiarity with Detroit particularly its neighborhoods and the many innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives happening across the city.
City Institute designed a customized “Detroit Innovation & Inspiration” Learning Journey that highlighted University of Michigan partnerships and projects in Detroit, while also providing broader context on the city’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Participants visited several sites connected to U-M’s work in Detroit, including the University of Michigan Center for Innovation, currently under construction, and the U-M Detroit Center, which supports education, research, and community engagement in the city.
One of the group’s favorite stops was along the Livernois and 6 Mile corridor, where they met with leaders from the Live6 Alliance and learned about two programs connecting the university with Detroit communities: the U-M Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP), which pairs students with small businesses for consulting support, and the U-M LEAPS program, a new undergraduate program based at Marygrove that helps expand access to community and innovation education.
Throughout the day, the group explored how universities, entrepreneurs, community organizations, and civic leaders are working together to support Detroit’s economic growth and neighborhood development.
“The team has expressed a lot of gratitude for this outing, and feel that they have a deeper understanding of what's happening in Detroit beyond the headlines. Thanks for bringing so much passion to your work.”
— Kelly Sexton, Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact, University of Michigan
Itinerary Stops
Michigan Central
A major hub for mobility and technology innovation in Detroit, where global companies, startups, and research institutions are collaborating to shape the future of transportation.
Newlab
An innovation campus supporting startups and entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies in mobility, energy, and sustainability.
University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI)
A major new campus currently under development in Detroit that will expand graduate education and research in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.
TechTown Detroit
Detroit’s leading technology and business incubator, supporting startups and small businesses through mentorship, programming, and access to capital with lunch with Chef Mamba Hamissi, owner of Baobab Fare
Livernois & 6 Mile Corridor – Live6 Alliance
A neighborhood revitalization effort focused on supporting local businesses, improving public spaces, and ensuring that investment along the corridor benefits longtime residents. Bonus stop supporting one of the first new businesses that opened on 6 Mile: Detroit Sip
Marygrove Campus – U-M LEAPS & DNEP Programs
University of Michigan initiatives connecting students with Detroit entrepreneurs and expanding access to innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology education in the city.