{"id":2949,"date":"2019-02-05T08:00:52","date_gmt":"2019-02-05T08:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/?p=2949"},"modified":"2020-11-19T09:07:06","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T09:07:06","slug":"detroit-startup-ecosystem-startupblink-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/detroit-startup-ecosystem-startupblink-blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Startup Ecosystem Report \u2013 StartupBlink"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2950\" width=\"386\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-768x462.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-24x14.jpg 24w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-36x22.jpg 36w, https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Depositphotos_11899132_m-2015-48x29.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/startups\/detroit+mi+united-states\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a> to view Detroit\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>Startup Map<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction to the Detroit Startup Ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Detroit is Motown, the Motor City, the automobile capital of the world. \u00a0For decades, Detroit had a reputation as being a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/r\/detroit-american-auto-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\">one-industry<\/a> town. \u00a0That\u2019s changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Detroit and the surrounding counties have a population of about four million, many of whom left the city for the suburbs over the past several decades. &nbsp;More recently, though, people <a href=\"https:\/\/visitdetroit.com\/emergence-makers-manufacturers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">and businesses<\/a> have started moving into the city again. &nbsp;The secret is out: Detroit is coming back.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Detroit \u2013 The Past, and Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the major turnaround stories from the Midwestern Rust Belt from the past several years has been the fall and rise of metro Detroit, as the city <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/petesaunders1\/2018\/07\/19\/detroit-five-years-after-bankruptcy\/\" target=\"_blank\">went through bankruptcy in 2013-2014<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/visitdetroit.com\/detroit-americas-ambitious-renovation-project\/\" target=\"_blank\">emerged on more solid ground<\/a>. &nbsp;The last few years, in particular, have seen new developments, new construction, and revitalization of neighborhoods that many thought would never recover. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the general recovery and redevelopment, an increasingly large startup ecosystem is beginning to take root. &nbsp;An EntryPoint report from last year shows that in the last four years, the number of Detroit venture-backed startups <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/entrypointmi.com\/2018\/10\/30\/2018-detroit-report\/\" target=\"_blank\">has increased by 54%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although Detroit is not the top startup city in the world, it\u2019s in the top 100 (96th place according to StartupBlink\u2019s latest <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.startupblink.com\/?leaderboards&amp;cities\" target=\"_blank\">global ecosystem rankings<\/a>), which gives the city and the broader Southeast Michigan area a great deal of room to expand, grow, and thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Successful Startups of Southeast Michigan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So far, one of the most prominent local success stories has been <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/duo.com\" target=\"_blank\">Duo Security<\/a>, based in Ann Arbor and Detroit. &nbsp;The specialized tech security company has had a big couple of years: it achieved a $1 billion investor valuation in 2017, becoming the first Michigan startup <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailydetroit.com\/2017\/10\/18\/michigan-grows-first-unicorn-tech-company-valued-1-billion\/\" target=\"_blank\">to do so<\/a>, and last year it was <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2018\/08\/02\/cisco-is-buying-duo-security-for-2-35b-in-cash\/\" target=\"_blank\">acquired by Cisco for $2.35 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carpooling and ride-sharing startup <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/splt.io\/\" target=\"_blank\">SPLT<\/a> moved <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.modeldmedia.com\/features\/splt-detroit-102416.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">to Detroit from New York<\/a> in 2016 and never looked back. &nbsp;Last year, SPLT notched another successful exit for the Detroit startup community when it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/tech\/18625\/embargo-bosch-acquires-ride-sharing-startup-splt\">acquired by Bosch<\/a>, the world\u2019s largest auto-industry supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the biotech area, Ann Arbor-based <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.strataoncology.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Strata Oncology<\/a> develops tailored, precision medicine for cancer patients with the help of genomic databases. &nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercebiotech.com\/medtech\/merck-pfizer-power-tumor-profiling-firm-strata-to-26m-round\" target=\"_blank\">In 2018, Strata received $26 million in Series B funding<\/a> from investors led by Merck and Pfizer. &nbsp;That same year, it was recognized with the \u201cUp-and-Coming Company of the Year Award\u201d from the Michigan Venture Capital Association, helping to boost the profile of Michigan\u2019s biotechnology sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Detroit companies of more traditional kinds, like manufacturing, have also made the news. &nbsp;Detroit watchmaker Shinola started in the Motor City in 2012 with venture capital backing and had $80 million in total orders just 18 months later. &nbsp;The company went from zero to 500 employees in a few years, many of whom came from the auto industry, and now has 30 stores in the U.S. and Europe. &nbsp;Shinola is a feel-good local story and is one of the players helping to get Detroit back into the spotlight again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Accelerators and co-working:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Worldwide accelerator and mentor network <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techstars.com\/content\/accelerators\/techstars-detroit-growing-comeback-citys-startup-ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\">TechStars<\/a> has provided considerable support to Detroit for the past few years. &nbsp;Locally, the incubator <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/techtowndetroit.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">TechTown Detroit<\/a> provides guidance and co-working space to dozens of companies, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motorcitymatch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Motor City Match<\/a> provides expert assistance and matching funding grants to successful applicants. &nbsp;In the suburbs, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.automationalley.com\/Home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\">Automation Alley<\/a> is a technology accelerator focused on manufacturing, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/rgmd.com\/business_development_model.html\" target=\"_blank\">RG Medical Diagnostics<\/a> provides business development and distribution support for medical product companies. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A couple of new players to watch are <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/omegaaccelerator.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\">Omega Accelerator<\/a>, which helps connect startups with funding, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kyybainnovations.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kyyba Innovations<\/a>, which provides equity funding and holds pitch competitions. &nbsp;Lastly, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acceleratemichigan.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Accelerate Michigan<\/a> holds an Innovation Competition every year, with a nice amount of funding to its grand prize winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than TechTown, the area\u2019s co-working spaces include <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grandcircus.co\/join-the-community\/coworking\/\" target=\"_blank\">Grand Circus<\/a> (which also offers training boot camps for future software programmers), <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.anofficeindetroit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">An Office In Detroit<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bamboodetroit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bamboo Detroit<\/a>, not one but two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/l\/detroit--MI\">WeWork locations<\/a>, and, most recently, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/spacelabdetroit.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">SpaceLab<\/a> downtown and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/patchworkcollective.net\/\" target=\"_blank\">PatchWork Collective<\/a> in Ferndale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages for Startups in Detroit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Startup diversification:<\/strong> Practically every startup sector is represented in Southeast Michigan. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Augmented and virtual reality companies like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/pixogroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">PIXO<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/electrifly.co\/\" target=\"_blank\">Electrifly Co.<\/a> share the startup space with financial tech companies like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.benzinga.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Benzinga<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autobooks.co\/\">Autobooks<\/a>, food companies like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatbanza.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Banza<\/a>, broadband companies like <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfiber.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rocket Fiber<\/a>, and many others. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Detroit also has its fair share of social entrepreneurship and triple-bottom-line businesses, many of which can be found in the city\u2019s <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greengaragedetroit.com\/site\/\" target=\"_blank\">Green Garage<\/a> and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ponyride.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ponyride<\/a> co-working spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost of living:<\/strong> Detroit and many of its suburbs have a pricier cost of living than they did a few years ago when the comeback really started. &nbsp;That\u2019s what happens when the secret gets out and people want to live here again!  With that said, the area still has <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expatistan.com\/cost-of-living\/index\/north-america\" target=\"_blank\">one of the lowest costs of living<\/a> compared to most other big cities in North America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Local talent:<\/strong> Michigan has the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/entrypointmi.com\/2018\/10\/30\/2018-detroit-report\/\" target=\"_blank\">highest population density of engineers<\/a> in the United States. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Driverless cars:<\/strong> Detroit is fast becoming one of the world\u2019s central hubs for next-generation mobility and autonomous vehicle research, driven by auto companies, the University of Michigan, Google, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.planetmlandingzone.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">many others<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Homegrown support:<\/strong> Some high-net-worth local supporters are committed to the success of the new Detroit, and have been for years. &nbsp;Dan Gilbert and his company Rock Ventures have been at the center of much of Detroit\u2019s renaissance, and so has the Illitch family. &nbsp;JPMorgan Chase also helps out, with regular local investments and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/tech.co\/news\/chase-invests-150-million-detroit-2017-05\" target=\"_blank\">sponsorship of Detroit Startup Week<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rounding out the list are a series of government initiatives and private-public partnerships, among them the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/neweconomyinitiative.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Economy Initiative<\/a>, the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganbusiness.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Michigan Economic Development Corporation<\/a>, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Universities:<\/strong> The University of Michigan is the top public research university in the U.S. when <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/ncsesdata.nsf.gov\/herd\/2017\/html\/herd2017_dst_36.html\" target=\"_blank\">ranked by R&amp;D expenditures<\/a>. &nbsp;Recently, it was recognized by Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine as having the country\u2019s #1 undergraduate program for entrepreneurship. &nbsp;The U. of M. graduates about 3,500 engineers every year (combined <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.engin.umich.edu\/about\/facts\/\" target=\"_blank\">bachelor\u2019s, master\u2019s, and doctoral degrees<\/a>), and it fuels a complex startup ecosystem in Ann Arbor with co-working spaces, hacker spaces, and a load of startup companies. &nbsp;And as it happens, Detroit is geographically closer to the Ann Arbor startup community than San Francisco is to San Jose or Cupertino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not that Detroit lacks academic centers of its own. &nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.wayne.edu\/news\/innovation-and-entrepreneurship\" target=\"_blank\">Wayne State University<\/a> and the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/business.udmercy.edu\/centers\/cse.php\" target=\"_blank\">University of Detroit Mercy<\/a>, both based in the city, have divisions that focus on entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ltu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lawrence Technological University<\/a> is <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ltu.edu\/news\/?_from=\/entrepreneurship\/index.asp&amp;_opt=detail&amp;_cid=68691797-3e9e-4c72-b92a-e0c5ab0991dd\" target=\"_blank\">launching a new accelerator this year<\/a> right next door in Southfield. &nbsp;The opportunities for synergy are extensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>International geography:<\/strong> One more thing that sets Detroit apart from other startup hubs is that the city is north of Canada. &nbsp;Really!  Part of Ontario curves around and down at one particular point where Michigan curves up.  That puts Canada right across the river from Detroit. &nbsp;To get to Canada, you can drive north for a few hours, or you can just <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/traveltips.usatoday.com\/cross-michigan-canada-100244.html\" target=\"_blank\">drive south<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being right on the border, and a stone\u2019s throw from <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.canadastartups.org\/windsor-small-business-startup-centre\/\" target=\"_blank\">the neighboring tech community in Windsor<\/a> gives the Detroit startup sector an interesting dimension that\u2019s not found in most other American cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Entrepreneur culture:<\/strong> Detroiters have gotten through the tough times not only with grit and creativity but with <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/the-next-big-unicorn-wont-come-from-silicon-valley-2017-1\" target=\"_blank\">an entrepreneurial spirit<\/a> going back at least to Henry Ford and the birth of the American auto industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, one thing Detroiters pride themselves on is building and helping each other from the ground level. &nbsp;The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.buildinstitute.org\/class-registration\/\" target=\"_blank\">Build Institute<\/a> provides classes at inexpensive rates to help entrepreneurs get started. &nbsp;Southeast Michigan has its own, locally grown <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/South-East-Michigan-Entrepreneurs-Association\/\" target=\"_blank\">chapter of the National Entrepreneurs Association<\/a>, linking grass-roots business owners with each other. &nbsp;And the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inventoriamd.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Inventor\u2019s Association of Metropolitan Detroit<\/a> connects people who have ideas to people with resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, a lot of what Detroit has to offer just has to do with attitude. &nbsp;Other cities found out about the \u201c<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2014\/11\/06\/detroit-hustle-in-silicon-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\">Detroit hustle<\/a>\u201d years ago, and it\u2019s an attitude that the city <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/entertainment\/2017\/06\/30\/detroit-hustles-harder-clothing\/441275001\/\" target=\"_blank\">wears with pride<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Disadvantages for Startups in Detroit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lack of public transportation options:<\/strong> Getting around in the Detroit area can be challenging unless you own a car. &nbsp;The city has no train or subway system, except for a short \u201cPeople Mover\u201d downtown and a QLine streetcar funded by Quicken Loans that goes along part of Woodward Avenue. &nbsp;The city\u2019s buses have limited range, and often require transfers and extra-long<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metrotimes.com\/detroit\/how-detroit-ended-up-with-the-worst-public-transit\/Content?oid=2143889\" target=\"_blank\"> waits<\/a>. &nbsp;For potential startup employees and founders who are used to areas with better public transportation, that\u2019s a compromise they\u2019ll have to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hard capital:<\/strong> Detroit attracts its share of investor money, but there are people who feel that venture capital is still easier to come by in Silicon Valley, New York, or other major startup centers. &nbsp;The numbers provide some support for this theory; a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com\/us\/en\/moneytree-report\/assets\/MoneyTree_Report_Q4_2017_FINAL_1_10_18.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">PWC report<\/a> indicated that in Q4 of 2017, $2.7 billion went to Silicon Valley, $5.2 billion went to San Francisco, and $2.9 billion went to New York, compared to $734 million for the entire Midwest. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decentralization and splintering:<\/strong> &nbsp;The good news is that Detroit, and Michigan generally, have a huge web of private and governmental support organizations \u2013 many of them very well-resourced \u2013 designed to help small businesses and startup companies. &nbsp;The bad news is that this web, in many ways, is decentralized and disconnected.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been some attempts to pull all the \u201cstrands\u201d of this web together, to provide a one-stop shop for those who want to pursue their startup dreams. &nbsp;The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180323012305\/https:\/www.detroitbizgrid.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Detroit Biz Grid<\/a>, with its <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180819131001\/https:\/detroitbizgrid.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/BizGrid2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">encyclopedia-length list of resources<\/a>, was one such attempt. &nbsp;Grow Detroit and its <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.growdetroit.com\/detroit-startup-list\/\" target=\"_blank\">Detroit Startup List<\/a> was another, although neither of these appears to have been updated since 2016. &nbsp;More recently, a new group called <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/entrypointmi.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">EntryPoint<\/a> announced a strategic goal to connect Michigan entrepreneurs with resources, although it\u2019s unclear how comprehensive this effort will prove to be in the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other cities have recognized the importance of centralizing startup resources. &nbsp;Chicago\u2019s <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/1871.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">1871<\/a>, an incubator and startup headquarters, was founded years ago for this very purpose. &nbsp;The new center was created by entrepreneurs and allies who made a priority of building something new by bringing disparate resources together. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s not much question that Detroit would also benefit from a stable, go-to central organization that\u2019s designed to help both rookie entrepreneurs and experienced serial founders get where they need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>New at this:<\/strong> And lastly, Detroit just has some of the natural disadvantages that come with not having been at this for as long as some of the other startup cities. &nbsp;Most of the city\u2019s main co-working spaces, like Bamboo Detroit and WeWork, didn\u2019t have Detroit locations before 2013.  And many of the areas in the city that have been <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.history.com\/specials\/detroit-comeback-city\" target=\"_blank\">returning to life<\/a> were written off by many \u2013 <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/jpmorganchase\/2017\/06\/02\/americas-comeback-city-the-rebirth-of-detroit\/\" target=\"_blank\">until recently<\/a>, that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom line is that the Detroit area is getting harder not to notice. &nbsp;Detroit is where Steve Case <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/joannmuller\/2014\/06\/24\/steve-case-startup-tour-kicks-off-in-detroit-with-100000-prize\/\" target=\"_blank\">launched his Rise of the Rest tour<\/a>, coming back <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/story\/business\/2017\/10\/11\/venture-capitalist-steve-case-tours-ann-arbor-start-ups\/106547294\/\" target=\"_blank\">for another stop<\/a> a few years later. &nbsp;And many of the other new developments above only happened because of all the people who genuinely believe in the Detroit renaissance. &nbsp;There\u2019s even <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganradio.org\/post\/lets-stop-silicon-valley-comparisons\" target=\"_blank\">the occasional Silicon Valley comparison<\/a>. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With its automotive past and present, its startup future, its surrounding universities, its outside, and local support, all the recent attention, and its \u201chustles harder\u201d spirit, Detroit might never be written off again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the author:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>David Kohn is a patent agent, attorney, former patent examiner at the regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Detroit, and the founder of Spectrum Intellectual Property, which provides services that support entrepreneurs and small businesses. &nbsp;Find out more at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spectrum-ip.com\" target=\"_blank\">www.spectrum-ip.com<\/a>, and follow Spectrum on Twitter at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/Spectrum_IP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">@Spectrum_IP<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Click here to view Detroit\u2019s Startup Map Introduction to the Detroit Startup Ecosystem Detroit is Motown, the Motor City, the automobile capital of the world. \u00a0For decades, Detroit had a reputation as being a one-industry town. \u00a0That\u2019s changing. Detroit and the surrounding counties have a population of about four million, many of whom left the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,26],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Detroit Startup Ecosystem Report \u2013 StartupBlink - StartupBlink Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For decades, Detroit had a reputation as being a one-industry town. 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