Techstars Startup Week Detroit 2018

The global economy is being propelled by STEM innovation. Competition for the brightest minds and the best ideas is no longer limited to where you live or where you went to school. Many communities throughout Metro Detroit are still struggling when it comes to the "3 way match"-i.e. developing a pool of diverse talent; managing an effective innovation ecosystem and providing seed capital for funding high potential STEM concept companies.

To change this narrative requires more risk taking, more effective methods for developing untapped talent within our community, and strategically leveraging socially conscience investment networks. The purpose of this program is to highlight how Ecotek Lab, a research facility for young inventors and innovators, has used its lab based research model-STEM21; partnerships with UN member countries and financial support from impact investment firms (IIFs) around the world to help youth in the City of Detroit launch and grow a portfolio of high potential STEM concept companies.