Innovate Michigan! Summit Recap
By: Shelby Kurland, MSU CCED, Research Assistant, kurland3@msu.edu
The Regional Economic Innovation Center hosted its sixth annual Innovate Michigan! Summit on September 15th. Here, 80+ students, faculty, and community leaders came together to share the latest research in economic innovation. Prabu David, Michigan State University's Dean for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, kicked off the event with a discussion on how communication relates to the 21st century economy. Next, Rishi Moudgil, a venture philanthropist from GreenLight Fund Detroit, talked about community and economic development and social entrepreneurship in Detroit.
During the summit, participants attended breakout sessions hosted by Co-Learning Plan authors, Student-Led Faculty-Guided Project authors, and Innovation Fellows. Presentations varied widely. Topics included: Triple Bottom Line; Public Infrastructure and Economic Development; Women Who Weld; Eco-Tourism in the Upper Peninsula; and many more. In addition to these presentations, REI surveyed participants to determine topics for next year's Co-Learning Plans and Student-Led Faculty-Guided Projects. To conclude the Summit, REI worked in coordination with the Michigan Inventors Expo to host a hors d'oeuvres meet-and-greet with
inventors. Here, Summit participants had the opportunity to collaborate and converse with Michigan's premiere inventors.
Overall, REI received an abundance of positive feedback from both returning and new participants. We look forward to using the received to help next year's team put on an even greater Summit!