The Michigan Opportunity

Where can you find innovation pitches for venture capital, networking opportunities, entrepreneurs, founders, investors and inventors? Michigan Tech Week!

Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures at Michigan Tech Week, presented by the Michigan Founders Fund. Guests include Chris Nolte of Bloom, Crystal Brown of CircNova, Kellie Crawford of Taste of Tech, and Rishi Moudgil of Michigan Founders Fund.

Michigan Tech Week is a week-long event that brings together Michigan's tech industry, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to discuss, connect, and build relationships. The event takes place at Michigan Central in Detroit and includes pitch competitions, panels, networking and workshops.  

Global Detroit: Empowering Communities and Driving Economic Growth

Ernestine Lyons manages Global Detroit’s Global Entrepreneur in Residence (Global EIR) program. Hear her talk about how the Global EIR program works with immigrant tech entrepreneurs to start businesses in Michigan and helps them grow in scale. 

Global Detroit is an effort to revitalize Metro Detroit’s economy by pursuing strategies that strengthen Detroit’s connections to the world and making the region more attractive and welcoming to immigrants, internationals, and foreign trade and investment. Since 2010, Global Detroit has helped connect over $6.5 million in philanthropic, corporate, and government investments with over a half dozen ambitious initiatives.

Preserving Detroit's Dairy Legacy Through Innovation and Tradition! 

Dean Angott serves as Chairman and President of C.F. Burger Creamery and Twin Pines Farm Dairy, a family-owned and operated business that has been a cornerstone of Detroit since 1926. C.F. Burger Creamery's specialty products have become staples in the Midwest—from the Ultra-Pasteurized Half & Half in your coffee, to the McDonald's Triple Thick Shake, and the iconic Dairy Queen Blizzard. With a deep commitment to quality and local partnerships with dairy farmers, Angott continues to steer this multi-generational business toward its centennial milestone, proudly contributing to Detroit’s rich food heritage and agribusiness.

The MSU Research Foundation is focused on helping Michigan State University achieve its objectives around economic development through the technology transfer and commercialization of intellectual property created by its faculty, staff, and students. 

Hear from David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation, as he discusses the MSU Research Foundation and how they manage an endowment built from decades of licensing revenue. Through their subsidiary organizations: Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III, and Research Parks – the MSU Research Foundation is a key partner in the Michigan State University innovation ecosystem along with MSU Business Connect and MSU Technologies. In addition to providing over $10 million in research funding at MSU annually, this non-profit is focused on technology commercialization, economic development, and placemaking. 

From The Simpsons to Futurama, Mad Magazine to Bongo Comics, Detroit artist Bill Morrison has created art loved by generations. 

Hear from Bill Morrison, acclaimed illustrator, cartoonist, writer, and art director at Atomic Battery Studios, as he reflects on his remarkable career trajectory. Born and raised in Lincoln Park, Michigan, Morrison spent years in Hollywood working alongside The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening. Now back in Michigan, Bill shares his creative journey and gives back by teaching at the College for Creative Studies, where he once studied himself. On this episode he opens up about his career highlights, including work with Futurama, Mad Magazine, and his recent Beatles project, and inspires the next generation of Michigan artists following his path.

Join our host Ed Clemente as he speaks with key figures in the mobility industry following the inaugural Michigan Mobility Conference. Hosted by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), Michigan Economic Development Corporation, gathered a diverse audience including global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, technology startups, and service providers to discuss Michigan's significant role in shaping the future of transportation and its broad impact on global communities.

Hear from Justine Johnson of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Camille Hoisington of Traverse Connect, Kameale C. Terry of ChargerHelp, Josh Naramore of National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), Allison Bowman of Tubular Network, Timothy Papandreou of ETA Advisors, and Vincent Keenan of the City of Detroit.

With experience working in 8 Countries, this Michigan native now serves in India with the U.S. Department of State, facilitating international business opportunities. 

Listen to Michael Schreuder, a career diplomat generating international business. As Deputy Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, India, he has had a fascinating career dedicated to fostering global business opportunities for the U.S. and Michigan. Schreuder’s career with the U.S. Department of State has taken him to Colombia, Mexico, Tunisia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Qatar, and now India. This Western Michigan University alumni and Kalamazoo native's Michigan roots remain strong, as he continues to bridge international relations and business development.

Hear from a 30-Year National Park Service Veteran: From Yellowstone and the Oklahoma National Memorial to George Washington Carver National Monument, Now Leading River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe MI.

Scott J. Bentley is the first Superintendent of River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe. Bentley, a 30-plus year National Park Service (NPS) veteran, started at the Battlefield in 2011 after transferring from San Antonio Missions National Historical Park where he was the Superintendent. River Raisin NBP preserves, commemorates, and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. 

Representing most of Michigan’s 83 Counties with various products, this Traverse City-based organization supports local business!

Listen to Christina Marbury of Taste the Local Difference and discover its unique services. Taste the Local Difference is a women-owned, women-led local food marketing agency specializing in tailored strategies for agriculture, food, and beverage producers. Their mission is to support local businesses by ensuring that money stays within the local economy, fostering job creation and strengthening communities. By collaborating with farms and food-related enterprises, they not only boost visibility but also educate consumers on the importance of local food systems and how their choices can have a positive impact.

Downtown Detroit Partnership is a 100+ year old organization that has worked with many notable partners including Detroit Grand Prix Association, the National Football League Draft, UNESCO City of Design and more. 

Since 2014, Eric Larson has served as CEO of The Downtown Detroit Partnership, a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders who develop and support programs to enhance downtown Detroit, including creating a vibrant, thriving and welcoming urban center. Larson has more than 35 years of experience in the field of real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing as well as previously worked with Olympia Development of Michigan, Bedrock Detroit and The Parade Company.