Welcome and Overview
W. David Tarver, Founder, Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, Academic Director, Rutgers University Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
Panel 1: Urban Entrepreneurship Case Studies
Panel 1 Moderator
Forrest Carter, Associate Professor of Marketing, Eli Broad School of Business, Michigan State University
Panel 1 Panelists
Steve Bock, Business CEO, Shinola
Noam Kimelman, Co-Owner, Fresh Corner Café
Mike White, General Manager, Uber/Michigan
Sheila McBride, CEO, GradeCheck
Mike Evans, Senior Developer, Loveland Technologies
Panel 2: Community Engagement Methods
Panel 2 Moderator
Marlo Rencher, Co-Founder, Snapsure, Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cleary University
Panel 2 Panelists
Brian Flanagan, Managing Director, U-M Ross Leadership Initiative
Nick Tobier, Associate Professor, U-M Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design
Sebastian Jackson, Founder, The Social Club Grooming Company
Christopher Prater, Thrift on the Avenue (TOTA)
Panel 3: Student-Led Entrepreneurship
Panel 3 Moderator
Matt Gibson, Associate Director for Student Ventures, U-M Center for Entrepreneurship
Panel 3 Presenters
Evolve Team: Justine Sheu, Justin Cook, Myles Morgan
Transwer Team: Erica Hill and Jamarr Hill
Panel 4: Support Systems for Urban Entrepreneurs
Panel 4 Moderator
Leslie Smith, President and CEO, TechTown Detroit
Panel 4 Panelists
Patricia Glaza, Vice-President, Invest Detroit
Jamie Shea, Managing Director, Investments, Mission Throttle
Stella Safari, CEO, Startup Effect
Innovate Blue: Michigan’s Commitment to Entrepreneurship Education
Thomas Zurbuchen, Senior Counselor to the Provost, University of Michigan
Luncheon Program
Welcome and Remarks
Thomas Frank, Executive Director, U-M Center for Entrepreneurship
Luncheon Keynote – A Conversation with Jill Ford
Jill Ford, Special Assistant to the Mayor, City of Detroit