Building an innovation ecosystem for the next century

About this episode

The episode discusses Michigan's efforts to build a modern innovation ecosystem through the new role of chief innovation ecosystem officer.

Michigan may be best known as the birthplace of the American auto industry, but its innovation legacy runs far deeper, and its future is poised to be even broader. From creating the world’s largest airport factory during World War II at Willow Run to establishing the first successful polio vaccine trials in Ann Arbor to the invention of the snowboard in Muskegon, Michigan has a long history of turning innovation into lasting impact. Now, with the creation of a new role, chief innovation ecosystem officer, at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state is doubling down on its ambition to become a modern engine of innovation, one that is both rooted in its industrial past and designed for the evolving demands of the 21st century economy. “How do you knit together risk capital founders, businesses, universities, and state government, all of the key stakeholders that need to be at the table together to build a more effective innovation ecosystem?” asks Ben Marchionna, the first to hold this groundbreaking new position. Leaning on his background in hard tech startups and national security, Marchionna aims to bring a “builder's thinking” to the state government…

People in this episode

Guest: Ben Marchionna

Topics covered

• innovation ecosystem
• Michigan
• technology
• business
• economic development

Keywords

• innovation
• Michigan
• economic development
• technology
• business
• Ben Marchionna
• ecosystem

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Places: Michigan, Willow Run, Ann Arbor, Muskegon

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