Collaborators
Collaboration has always been at the core of our vision for Michigan Central. We are building an open platform and a vibrant innovation ecosystem that will bring together the best startups, the smartest talent, and a diverse group of thinkers, engineers, leaders and problem-solvers.
We must build for the world we are moving into, not the one we’ve always known. Designing new solutions for the way people and goods will move around in the future. And our work has already brought ambitious plans to the streets around Michigan Central and beyond.
Michigan Central will drive the next evolution in urban transportation. One that will advance a more sustainable and more equitable future of mobility for everyone.
Ford
Michigan Central was created by Ford as a world-class platform for innovation that’s open to all.
Michigan Central is a pivotal project for the future of Ford Motor Company, the future of Detroit, and the future of our industry. Built on the foundation of partnership and collaboration. Bringing the world’s best minds together to change the world. As a founding partner, Ford is investing over one billion dollars to bring this vision to life.
A monumental partnership with tech giant Google, whose unparalleled data management capabilities will support the entire district. The first task at hand: workforce development.
Google’s Code Next program will bring free coding education to high schoolers all across Michigan, providing the skills and inspiration needed to cultivate the next generation of Black, Latinx, and Native tech leaders.
Newlab
Our collaboration with Newlab, a global venture platform for critical technology startups building our sustainable future, is laying the foundation of Detroit’s mobility innovation ecosystem.Newlab, in partnership with Michigan Central, provides everything founders need to prototype, find product-market fit, and scale – from 11K sf of shops and labs, to 30 acres of urban mobility piloting and fast-tracked permitting within a Transportation Innovation Zone.
Together, we’ve already launched five Programs:
The Accessible Streets Program
- Seven companies selected to pilot cutting edge, community-centered tech for electric charging, EV car sharing, real-time transportation information, solar street lighting, smart navigation for blind and visually impaired individuals, and more.
- Program began by listening to Michigan Central community members to understand local mobility challenges.
Expanding Multi-Modal Logistics Program
- Multiple companies selected to pilot new approaches to logistics that enhance resilience and flexibility in over-the-road trucking, port facilities, and more.
Activating Low-Altitude Airspace Program
- Multiple companies selected to pilot advanced aerial mobility technologies for new use cases, including supply chain and manufacturing, environmental services, emergency services, healthcare, and infrastructure inspection.
- Program utilizes Michigan’s competitive advantage of a sizable supply chain and manufacturing base as well as Michigan Central’s own first-of-a-kind Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR).
Civic Program
- Six companies selected to pilot smart city tech for traffic analysis, pedestrian safety, grocery access, and more.
The Mobility Program
- Six companies selected to pilot innovative mobility tech for de-risking and increasing access to EV charging, re-imagining last-mile logistics efficiency, and more.
State of Michigan x City of Detroit
A landmark agreement with the State of Michigan and the city of Detroit.
Setting a new global standard for public-private partnership.
A collaboration designed to:
- foster innovation
- modernize regulations
- build a safe and fast piloting process for new mobility solutions
- provide an unparalleled infrastructure to support innovation
Henry Ford Health
For 110 years and counting, Henry Ford Health has been at the forefront of healthcare delivery and healthcare discovery—as well as the intersection of the two. Through its foundational partnership with Michigan Central, the system is harnessing the power of innovation in the health and wellbeing landscape, creating meaningful solutions and technology that reimagines and redefines what a healthy population looks like in Detroit and beyond.
As Henry Ford Health forges ahead with its $2.2 billion Detroit hospital expansion, urban connectivity, mobility and infrastructure – and the way those can be positively impacted by technology and innovation – remain central to the mission.
Interested in being a partner? Let’s collaborate.
Founding Partners
Our Collaborators
Select a collaborator logo to learn more.