A new report produced by a consortium of Detroit-based organizations uses a wide range of analytics to document the revitalization of the 7.2 square miles that comprise the city's Greater Downtown area. Drawn from local surveys and data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, among other sources, the report details population and tourism figures, business distribution, and demographics on income, housing, ethnicity, and education. Some of the findings hint at the dynamics behind Detroit's resurgence. More
Tag Index / Showing 1 - 10 of 22 results for “Techonomy Detroit”
Manufacturing Techonomy Detroit
How the “Connected Car” Will Change Detroit
As we approach a future of electronic, connected, and networked automobiles, will Detroit’s auto industry also evolve? Cars are relying more heavily on electronics (the market for electronic systems is expected to grow from $170 billion in 2011 to $263 billion in 2016), and R&D is adapting appropriately, SmartPlanet reports. The “connected car” of the future will feature entertainment and web connectivity, fuel economy features, and vehicle safety and efficiency improvements—including, for instance, the capability for cars to respond to changes in the environment and act automatically to protect their occupants. More
Looking Back at Techonomy Detroit
Techonomy 2012 kicks off in a few hours, gathering technology and business leaders in Tucson's Tortolita Mountains to discuss the possibilities of accelerating technological progress. This video overview of Techonomy Detroit is a great way to learn more about Techonomy's mission: the belief that technology can make the world a happier, healthier, wealthier, and more peaceful place. More
Reimagining Detroit
Where most of us see abandoned lots and vacant buildings, Jerry Paffendorf sees a blank canvas. Paffendorf drove me around Detroit when I was there last week for the Techonomy conference. In the video above (shot and edited on my iPad, thank you very much), he takes me on a tour of Detroit, land use, and Chia houses. During this tour, he explains how he thinks the Internet, data, and crowdfunding can help not just reimagine Detroit, but redevelop it. More
Startup Culture Techonomy Detroit
Young Detroit Entrepreneurs Need Mentorship, Says Jack Dorsey
Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter and Square, talked to MLive.com about the future of Detroit after speaking at last week’s Techonomy Detroit conference. Dorsey said that Detroit has reached a turning point, and mentorship is essential for the city’s burgeoning tech scene. While Detroit doesn’t have the experience level of Silicon Valley, local leaders like Dan Gilbert should spend time with young entrepreneurs because it “passes along the torch in ways nothing else can,” Dorsey said. “I think this conference is a start.… Actually seeing someone in the flesh, seeing them on stage and seeing them talk about what they did well, what they did poorly, and what they’re trying to do better at.” Although Detroit has seen an increase in homegrown tech startups, if the city is to truly overcome its formidable economic and structural challenges it needs strong entrepreneurial leadership. Perhaps it will come from someone like Dorsey—who doesn't hide his aspiration to one day transition from tech entrepreneur to mayor of New York City. More
Broadband Access Increases Test Scores in Michigan
A Connect Michigan study has found that broadband availability in school increases test scores, CBS Detroit reports. As e-learning becomes an essential part of learning, increased access to broadband allows for critical online interaction, both in and out of the classroom. Broadband availability increases math and reading proficiency scores for students in grades 3 through 8, the study found, as well as the number of students who meet ACT college readiness benchmarks. More
Energy & Green Tech Manufacturing Techonomy Detroit
Techonomy Detroit in the News: Was Tim Draper Wrong About Detroit’s Electric Car Future?
At Techonomy Detroit last week, venture capitalist Tim Draper had some harsh words for the local crowd. Detroit automakers have lost the electric-car battle to Tesla Motors, he said, and the only hope for the Big Three is to make something as innovative as a flying car. But Todd Woody at Forbes says Draper was wrong: “The electric car battle has only begun and if the objective is to win the war against fossil fuels then Tesla needs Detroit, Tokyo and Munich to join forces and sell as many cars as possible." More
Ghosts Of Detroit
What draws creative types to Detroit? It's all the possibilities. I got a tour of the city yesterday from Jerry Paffendorf, a local resident and entrepreneur I met on Twitter. Paffendorf is the co-founder of Loveland Technologies, a startup with grand ambitions to help citizens reclaim their neighborhoods and redevelop plots of land. In the video above, he explains why he left New York City and Silicon Valley for Detroit. More
Business Cities Techonomy Detroit
Why Techonomy Detroit?
People keep asking, "Why are you doing a Techonomy conference in Detroit?" We're known for our invite-only annual retreat in the desert near Tucson. So why, you may wonder, is our first one-day event in a gritty, depressed, financially-troubled city that seems well past its glory? More
The Detroit News Gets Behind the Techonomy Detroit Idea
Columnist Daniel Howes today explains as only a savvy local can why technology and entrepreneurship may be the best and only hope for Detroit's ravaged economy and jobs landscape. His column is a gratifying response to our months of work preparing the conference that begins tomorrow. We really do believe that in a technologizing time, the opportunities for rapid transformation are gigantic and real. But we also believe that it will not happen automaticallly. The changes that need to happen will require business, government, and civic leaders to actively embrace the opportunities presented by technology's headlong progress. We are here in Detroit because we hope it happens. Tomorrow's conference is our contribution. More
