Michigan Central

In honor of International Women's Day 2025, we're incredibly proud to celebrate the daily achievements of women at Michigan Central. More than 75% of the Michigan Central team are women, inspiring us with their commitment, strength, and impact in their jobs. And across our member community, more than 25% of startups within Newlab are female-founded, and 37 women are part of Femology's Female Founders School. At Michigan Central, we're building a culture that celebrates innovation and equity, which wouldn't be possible without talented women who build our ecosystem and create new growth opportunities for the city and beyond. #WomenofMichiganCentral #WomenPoweringInnovation

"Everything I do?is very centered around making sure that,?girls specifically,?have opportunities?[in STEM]." Janelle A., Associate Director of Talent Development and Programming, joined Franco's podcast frankly... with Rachel Piligian and Daniel Horn to discuss her passion for STEM education, Michigan Central's youth talent development programming, and her past experiences. Listen to the full podcast here:?https://lnkd.in/gaxcZaDK #WomenPoweringInnovation #WomenofMichiganCentral

As Head of Place for Michigan Central, Melissa Dittmer is helping to build a Detroit where the past meets the future. “As city-builders, we are establishing places and buildings that last beyond our own lifetimes, and I have never taken that power for granted.” Over the past 20 years, she has worked on a portfolio that includes historic structures such as The Station, Newlab at Michigan Central, Book Tower, and David Stott, as well as ground-breaking efforts like Brush Park City Modern housing development, Detroit’s Amazon HQ2 Proposal, and many more. Read more about her impactful career: https://lnkd.in/gPxPXtpV #WomenofMichiganCentral

Hey Mobility Innovators! ? Are you ready to deploy and test your technology in the real world? Do you need funding to do so? ? Detroit’s Transportation Innovation Zone (TIZ) provides companies with quick approvals, expedited permitting, and hands-on, step-by-step government support to launch real-world deployments faster. The physical footprint of the TIZ is a two-square-mile area in Corktown, surrounding the Michigan Central campus. ? We encourage companies from everywhere to apply and take advantage of the unique governance structure of the TIZ that facilitates a single roundtable between innovators and all relevant City departments to pitch the technology solution and ensure community safety, while also unlocking funding opportunities by meeting municipal partnership requirements. ? Small businesses applying to do their project in the TIZ are prequalified based on geographic parameters—any business in Wayne County qualifies! ? We encourage companies from Detroit and beyond to utilize the TIZ for their applications to the Mobility MI Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) Real-World Deployment Grants via the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP). These grants will provide companies with $100,000 - $500,000 to pilot their mobility technologies in real-world applications. ? MMFP applications and more information about these grants are available at https://bit.ly/4hVFs7g. The deadline to apply for the MMFP grants is March 13.

The Michigan Central x Newlab Art + Technology Residency is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort. This program brings together artists, researchers, and makers to explore critical questions, develop transformative projects, and cultivate sustainable creative practices. Consisting of a Fellowship (open to artists and curators worldwide) and a Creative Cohort Program (open to emerging Detroit-area creatives), the program offers access to Michigan Central and Newlab’s unparalleled resources, providing opportunities for both early-career and established artists to experiment, collaborate, and push the boundaries of art and technology. Applicants will have the opportunity to attend a virtual open house on March 5 to learn more. Apply here: www.artxtechresidency.com

Johnnie Turnage, founder of Michigan Central partner Black Tech Saturdays, highlights Detroit’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in tech and strong partnerships in Startups Magazine. “Detroit is rapidly becoming the most successful tech hub, an ecosystem where a commitment to a diverse talent pool is recognized as the smartest path to sustainable growth. The secret sauce? Active allies and the power of partnership,” said Turnage. Michigan Central and organizations like BTS are partnering to ensure innovation is inclusive, providing crucial resources, networks, and capital to underrepresented entrepreneurs and founders. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPhK2KQ2

“[We're] an initiative that’s built upon the idea that there is synergy between what would be beneficial for the company and beneficial for Detroit and southeast Michigan," said our CEO Josh Sirefman, on how Michigan Central is a unique model for driving economic development in the region. Read more from the Forbes article here: https://lnkd.in/gscb6uBP

The Station will be closing early tomorrow, Wednesday, February 26, at 2 p.m. and closed to the public Thursday, February 27 for a private event. We look forward to welcoming you back Friday, February 28, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more info by going to https://lnkd.in/giGYqPSc

Detroit is in the midst of a transformation. At Michigan Central, we are not just witnessing it, we are building it. Through Michigan Central’s community builder initiatives, partnerships with organizations like Black Tech Saturdays address the gaps that still exist and aid with growing representation further. Together, we are ensuring that underrepresented founders have the resources, networks, and capital to succeed.

Congratulations to Bill Ford on being named Crain's Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year. After perhaps our most transformative year yet filled with historic moments at Michigan Central, his leadership and vision continue to shape the future of innovation and mobility while honoring Detroit’s legacy.