Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
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Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
1–10 of 56 posts
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#2I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I live in Ann Arbor (about an hour west of Detroit) and the area does seem primed for a revolution. I think it will take a handful of well-known people to say "this is the next spot" for everything to explode. Hopefully this conf is the start of that.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#3I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I live in Ann Arbor (about an hour west of Detroit) and the area does seem primed for a revolution. I think it will take a handful of well-known people to say "this is the next spot" for everything to explode. Hopefully this conf is the start of that.
One, thanks for reading (and whoever posted, thank you). I agree with you, personally I think it's a combination of needing more local success stories, as well as recognition by the Nat'l Startup community that we have something to bring to the dance.
Folks like Steve Blank seem to be taking note of the region's efforts. We hosted him last month and his investment into the Michigan eLab (Venture Fund) in your neck of the woods (Ann Arbor) seems to be a strong indicator that something is here...
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#4I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#5I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I live in Ann Arbor (about an hour west of Detroit) and the area does seem primed for a revolution. I think it will take a handful of well-known people to say "this is the next spot" for everything to explode. Hopefully this conf is the start of that.
One, thanks for reading (and whoever posted, thank you). I agree with you, personally I think it's a combination of needing more local success stories, as well as recognition by the Nat'l Startup community that we have something to bring to the dance. Folks like Steve Blank seem to be taking note of the region's efforts. We hosted him last month and his investment into the Michigan eLab (Venture Fund) in your neck of…
I've been trying to get Detroit recognized as a start-up success story [1] for a few months here on HN. For those living in Detroit, the turn-around might be hard to see. I live in West Michigan, and in the past decade I've noticed a huge change in the Detroit area. I only visit Detroit a couple times per year, but every time I come by there's something new that surprises me. In the last few years, I've even taken to parking and walking some streets that I wouldn't have previously.
I could even see myself taking employment in Detroit; maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but the city is getting there. Mitt Romney might have famously called to let Detroit go bankrupt, but all it really needed was some investors who cared enough to force a paradigm shift. Look at Detroit startups such as Neowin, Fathead, Stardock, etc.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#6I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.
That's another interesting topic of discussion though!
It's funny that national media (and even our local newspapers here in Detroit) tend to write-off the American autos as out of touch. Not discounting this sentiment, but they are making moves...
The Ford family have been investing in auto tech like P2P car-sharing (Wheelz) via the investment fund, Fontinalis Partners. Meanwhile, GM Ventures is investing resources into startups like RelayRides.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
One, thanks for reading (and whoever posted, thank you). I agree with you, personally I think it's a combination of needing more local success stories, as well as recognition by the Nat'l Startup community that we have something to bring to the dance. Folks like Steve Blank seem to be taking note of the region's efforts. We hosted him last month and his investment into the Michigan eLab (Venture Fund) in your neck of…
I've been trying to get Detroit recognized as a start-up success story [1] for a few months here on HN. For those living in Detroit, the turn-around might be hard to see. I live in West Michigan, and in the past decade I've noticed a huge change in the Detroit area. I only visit Detroit a couple times per year, but every time I come by there's something new that surprises me. In the last few years, I've even taken to…
"Mitt Romney might have famously called to let Detroit go bankrupt, but all it really needed was some investors who cared enough to force a paradigm shift."
Those two things are unrelated. Bankruptcy doesn't mean the city physically disappears or anything. The reason one declares bankruptcy is to clear debts (in a fairly drastic way), which opens capital up to do things other than service debt. It may yet be a necessary or desirable step.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#8I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.
what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#9I think one or two big time tech company campuses would make a world of difference in downtown Detroit. Open a big dev shop, recruit underpaid people from local companies and best and brightest from Big 10 schools. Just please, don't feel obligated to focus on automotive customers just because you're in Detroit.
what will make more difference is grocery stores and other amenities people need to live in an area. tech campuses that bring people to work, then drive back to the suburbs... not enough to build sustainable changes. everything will be at the whim of the people deciding to place businesses there (for charitable reasons, or other), instead of any locals having any say or needs to fulfill.
Agreed, but you're missing an important point. An influx of workers who move into the community will ultimately yield an increase in grocery stores and amenities.
Companies like Quicken (mentioned in the article) provide significant incentives to get their 4k+ employees to relocate downtown. And it's working...
Re: Can Technology Redefine Detroit?
#10I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. I live in Ann Arbor (about an hour west of Detroit) and the area does seem primed for a revolution. I think it will take a handful of well-known people to say "this is the next spot" for everything to explode. Hopefully this conf is the start of that.
One, thanks for reading (and whoever posted, thank you). I agree with you, personally I think it's a combination of needing more local success stories, as well as recognition by the Nat'l Startup community that we have something to bring to the dance. Folks like Steve Blank seem to be taking note of the region's efforts. We hosted him last month and his investment into the Michigan eLab (Venture Fund) in your neck of…
Impressive. I wasn't aware of his visit, wish I could have made it out. What's a good way to get in touch with you? I'd love to have a more formal discussion about where you see the area going and if there's any way I can participate.