Last week, two autonomous vehicles travelled between Michigan and Canada as one of the first cross-border autonomous vehicle test pilots. The vehicles wrapped up their road trip by making a stop in Traverse City at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars, where officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation and Ontario Ministry of Transportation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to “promote and foster growth of connected and autonomous technology testing and deployment.”
Home to the iconic Motor City, Michigan is leveraging the assets that made us the leader of the automotive world, to become a leader in broader mobility industry. In 2016 Governor Snyder signed a package of bills to clear the way for autonomous technology, testing and deployment, and the State of Michigan launched the Planet M marketing campaign to amplify this and other efforts to support this fast-growing sector. Just over a year later, commitments have been made to expand the Planet M initiative to include business attraction services to existing and potential mobility companies.
These types of investments and commitments by the state and other stakeholders has led to increased activity that is proving to be beneficial for Michigan mobility startups. Beginning this September, there are over a dozen mobility-focused events scheduled in/around Detroit. Many of them offer startups access to complimentary or low-cost exhibit space, pitch events with monetary or other valuable prizes, high-profile product demonstrations, and speaking opportunities.
Below are just a few samples of upcoming mobility events that provide opportunities for startups:
Technology In Motion (TIM)
September 6-8
Cobo Center | Detroit
Sponsored by Crain and MSX International, mobility startups may apply for the pitch event in one of four areas including: autonomous, mobility solutions, connectivity, digital consumer experience. Startups may also participate in the Startup Village, which has been discounted for NextEnergy partners.
Detroit Moves
September 7-9
Downtown Detroit
Sponsored by Quicken (in collaboration with TIM), mobility startups may showcase live demonstrations of their innovative technologies in an outdoor 3-day event that will take place in downtown Detroit. Shoot me an email if you’re interested in participating.
Life on Planet M (ITS Michigan Chapter Annual Meeting)
September 27
NextEnergy | Detroit
Sponsored by ITS Michigan Chapter and other stakeholders, mobility startups will network with experts in the field and learn about mobility transformations taking place around Michigan.
Autonomy & Mobility Conference
October 25
NextEnergy | Detroit
Sponsored by AutoBeat Daily and Gardner Business Media, mobility startups will network with experts in the field and focus on the challenges ahead in the rapidly emerging market for self-driving vehicles.
TiECon Detroit
November 9-10
Renaissance Center Marriott | Detroit
The conference will provide an array of opportunities to exchange ideas, explore new businesses, discuss emerging technologies, share growth strategies, and obtain insight from global business leaders, community leaders and worldwide experts.
NextChallenge: Smart Cities
December 6, 2017
NextEnergy | Detroit
Sponsored by Wells Fargo, DENSO and DTE Energy, the event will offer ten finalists the opportunity to pitch their solution in-person to a panel of judges and invited guests, as well as attend a networking reception. The challenge will award up to $100K to demonstrate a smart city technology in a real-world setting. Concept papers are due on August 18, 2017.
For a small investment, these events can provide startups the access and exposure to potential clients and partners they need to succeed in Michigan’s growing mobility ecosystem.
Source: Next Energy