NewCo Detroit 2016

Session Title: A day in the life of TechTown

Come learn more about the great programs offered by TechTown Detroit where tech is in our name and community is in our heart. In the last eight years, TechTown has served nearly 1600 companies who created more than 1200 jobs and raised more than $120 million in capital. More than half of the organization’s clients are non-white, women and over the age of 50. SWOT City clients are 94% African American and 40% women.

Session Title: Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The Legacy of the Motown Sound

Attendees will walk in the footsteps of Motown legends, like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, and stand in the space where the Motown Sound was conceived-- the result of an unmatched level of creativity, innovation and determination. Our session will include an introduction of the deep musical, cultural and social influence that continues to impact society today. Plus we?ll tour Studio A, and hear insider anecdotes about how innovation, grit and creativity played a crucial role in the legacy formed inside the ?house that rocked the world? on West Grand Boulevard.

Session Title: One Man's Trash...


Visit our facility located within Detroit's "Recycle Here!" drop-off center, and see not only how we produce 100% biodiesel from waste recycled sources, but how we also use reclaimed wood from the city to power our biodiesel feedstock processing in order to remain as energy independent and carbon-neutral as possible in the process. We will give you a brief history of how we began years ago by focusing on converting vehicles to run on waste vegetable oil, and how we ended up where we are now, recycling waste vegetable oil exclusively for biodiesel. We will also discuss our long-term strategic goals for the future for expanding and utilizing our recycled waste stream, creating other products, as well as using our renewable fuel to support other local businesses and public services that wish to move away from fossil fuel dependence.

Session Title: Nextek is Turning the Tide in the War of Currents

See how DC (Direct Current) power is the foundation of the IOT (“internet of things”) phenomenon. Find out how Nextek’s technology takes the AC (Alternating Current) electricity that’s delivered to our homes and businesses and transforms it into low cost, energy efficient DC current to power lighting in a better way. Get a peek at how  your local grocers will be using this technology in their stores to transform the way you shop! Guests will be given a tour of our manufacturing facility and engineering laboratory, and they will learn how Nextek aspires to transform the way the world uses electricity.


Special Instructions from Host Company to Attendees:  When you arrive for your NewCo session at Nextek, please enter through the gate on Burroughs, just West of Cass. You can park in the lot to the left. The sidewalk leads to the revolving door of the NextEnergy Center. Nextek CEO, Paul Savage, will greet you in the lobby and begin your tour. We look forward to seeing you! 

Session Title: Starting a Business in Detroit - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

As small business lawyers, Canvas Legal gets the rare opportunity to see under the hood of hundreds of small businesses in Detroit - into what's actually going on behind the beautiful marketing. Some common themes emerge about what it's like to start a business in Detroit. Along with a couple of clients, Erin Bonahoom will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of starting and running a business in Detroit. 

Session Title: Shinola Factory Tour and Brand Presentation

Founded in 2011, Shinola was conceived with the belief that products should be well made and built to last. As makers of modern watches, bicycles, journals and leather goods, Shinola stands for skill at scale, the preservation of craft and the beauty of industry. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the facilities, sit in for a brand presentation and Q & A with our CFO Jonathan Hughes. 

Session Title: Driving the Circular Economy through Energy in Detroit

We change lives through energy waste reduction. Join us in a robust discussion on the global move from "reduce, reuse, recycle" to a circular economy that has major implications in the rebuilding of urban centers. Expect a compelling and insightful experience led by CEO Carla Walker-Miller, a leader in Michigan's energy future.


Special Instructions from Host Company to Attendees:  
LOCATION: Our office is located on West Grand Boulevard between the main streets on John C. Lodge Freeway and Woodward Avenue. WMES is in the Boulevard West Building (connected to the City of Detroit Elections Building) on West Grand Blvd. between 2nd Avenue. and Third Street. We are across the street from the Fisher Theatre Building and there is a coffee shop on the first floor of our building called 'Cafe Con Leche'.
PARKING: There is metered parking on the street on the street or parking for our building in the black rod iron gated lot connected to the City of Detroit Dept. of Elections building on West Grand Boulevard near Third Street. Please inform the parking attendant that you are here for 'Walker-Miller' and you will not need to pay. 

Session Title: Not Your Mama's Farm: green infrastructure and its role in modern urban development frameworks

In this session, Tyson Gersh, Founder and CEO, will explain how MUFI began as a grass roots initiative and has grown into a full fledge organization. He'll focus on the evolving role of blue and green infrastructure as complementary land-uses for modern residential and transit-oriented development and discuss why we must pivot away from the traditional paths of urban development. 

Session Title: The door is open to you to obtain intellectual property

Everything we require to live on the blue planet is impacted by advanced manufacturing. It underpins society, drives the economy and guides the educational system too. Imagine how converting ideas into reality has become a global art form. It is the passion of our ecosystem members. AutoHarvest.org was launched as the world’s only truly neutral and global on-line meeting place for innovators of all types with an interest in advanced manufacturing.  We will show you how to join for free and participate in this inclusive community so you too might partner with hundreds of members offering thousands of opportunities.

Special Instructions from Host Company to Attendees:  AutoHarvest is located on the third floor of TechTown (440 Burroughs St. Detroit). We are the 2nd door on the left after exiting the main elevators or stairs on the 3rd floor. 

Session Title: What's Creativity Got to do With It? Everything!

Join us for an informative tour and lively discussion about why we think creativity is essential to the success of a city and how our recent designation as a UNESCO City of Design will help elevate Detroit's status as a world class creative hub. We will also provide a brief historical perspective on the Taubman Center and how it's being used today to promote Detroit's creative community.

Special Instructions from Host Company to Attendees: Free parking is available in front of the Taubman Center on Cass Ave. between Milwaukee and Baltimore. If the lot is full, there is metered street parking available around the building.