University Innovation Summit Held in Michigan
The University of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Commerce held a
forum in Ann Arbor, Michigan last week on linking university research and the business community. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke praised the University of Michigan for their work towards becoming a “regional innovation cluster.” He also announced the creation of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship to help the federal government encourage commercialization of university research. The Council will be led by UM’s president Mary Sue Coleman, AOL co-founder Steve Case, and Desh Deshpande, chairman of A123 Systems. A123 Sytems is an innovative, U.S.-based battery maker looking to do more manufacturing in the U.S.
Many at the forum regretted that the Midwest typically lags in attracting venture capital, compared to other innovation centers like Boston or Silicon Valley. This echoes what Frank E. Samuel, Jr. expressed in “
A Venture Capital Strategy for the Great Lakes,” a part
of the
Global Midwest Policy Brief series.
Commerce Secretary Calls U-M a National Model for Innovative Economic Collaboration
University of Michigan News, July 14, 2010
University Innovation Drives Economic Development, Deserves Support, Says U.S. Commerce Secretary at UM Forum
Crain’s Detroit Business, July 13, 2010
Innovation in the US Heartland
Science Business, July 1, 2010
Innovation Embraced in Chicago
Xinhua, June 30, 2010
Battery Recharges Debate about U.S. Manufacturing
Chicago Tribune, May 16, 2010
For more on venture capital and innovation in the Midwest,
visit the Economic Development page of the In the News section.
Global Midwest Publications:
