Detroit’s Startup Moment: AI, Capital and the Future of Innovation

Detroit’s Startup Moment: AI, Capital and the Future of Innovation

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1988051/fan_mail/new] Detroit has always been a place that builds. What’s different now is the speed, the tools, and the stakes. We sit down with Mike Mattacola, CEO of Advaita Bio, and Patti Glaza, EVP for Venture and Managing Director of ID Ventures at Invest Detroit, to discuss what’s actually happening on the ground in Michigan’s startup ecosystem and what still needs to change for the innovation economy to become a durable driver of growth. Mike explains how AI is collapsing the cost of building software products, shifting teams toward senior architecture talent paired with AI agents, and enabling a “ship every week” cadence that used to take far more capital. Patty adds the investor lens: deep tech, advanced manufacturing, mobility, and life sciences still demand serious funding and specialized support, and Michigan’s biggest challenge is building a consistent capital stack from early stage through growth, plus the mentorship and repeat-founder experience that coastal hubs take for granted. We also dig into the Michigan Innovation Alliance, the need for a shared 20-year strategy, and why universities and tech transfer are central to turning research dollars into companies that reach the market and stay here. Finally, we tackle AI infrastructure and data centers, what matters for competitiveness, and how to measure progress over the next five years through bigger exits, stronger teams, and a healthier founder community. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review, what would you build in Michigan if the barriers dropped tomorrow?

Teaching People to Think, Not Just Work

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1988051/fan_mail/new] At a time when higher education is increasingly focused on job training, what are we losing? In this conversation, Craig Fahle sits down with Roosevelt Montas and Rishi Jaitly to explore the enduring value of a liberal education—and why it may matter more than ever in the age of AI. They discuss what it means to develop “full-stack humans,” the difference between learning for a career and learning for a life, and how the humanities help build the judgment, curiosity, and perspective that leadership now demands. This is a conversation about thinking—what it means, why it matters, and how we cultivate it in a rapidly changing world. In this episode: • Why the humanities may be the most durable leadership advantage • The shift from education as cultivation to education as job training • What distinguishes a liberal education from a liberal arts major • The idea of “flourishing” and its role in lifelong learning • The “full-stack human” and the balance of timely vs. timeless skills • How Bard is rethinking liberal education and civic life • A new model for leadership development at Virginia Tech • Why judgment matters more than information in an age of overload • What AI reveals about distinctly human intelligence • Why not everything valuable can—or should—be measured If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to the VVK Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Full video episodes are also available on the VVK YouTube channel.

Attention Spans, Algorithms, and the Future of News

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1988051/fan_mail/new] Local news fuels nearly every conversation we have, from politics to schools to the stories we share at work, yet the system that produces it is under real strain.  In this episode, we sit down with Katy Locker of Bridge Michigan and BridgeDetroit, Annalise Frank of Axios Detroit, and Zoe Clark of Michigan Public to talk plainly about what’s changing and what’s worth protecting as journalism adapts to shrinking newsrooms, fractured audiences, and nonstop platform shifts.  We dig into how people actually consume information today, from early morning newsletters to breaking news on the radio and fast-moving, personality-driven social platforms, while also examining the business realities behind local journalism, including paywalls, membership models, nonprofit funding, public media support, and the lasting impact of the “free news” era. Trust runs through it all, as we explore how misinformation spreads when local coverage disappears, how authenticity and transparency can rebuild credibility, and how partnerships can help fill gaps.  We also tackle AI’s growing role, from tools that summarize news without clicks to the ethical lines newsrooms are drawing, and why human reporting still matters when presence, context, and care are required.  The conversation closes with real examples of local journalism creating impact, from policy change to community pride.  Subscribe for more conversations about media and civic life, and if this resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review to help others find the show.

Inside Modern PR: From Acquisitions To AI And The Culture That Holds It Together

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1988051/fan_mail/new] We dig into what makes PR agencies grow without losing their edge, from acquisitions and integration to talent, culture, and the real role of AI. We share concrete ways to keep client trust, avoid burnout, and build teams that win. • relationships as the core of acquisitions and integration • communicating change to clients before headlines • independence versus integration and preserving the secret sauce • AI as a tool for higher value, not a replacement • the barbell talent model and demand for SMEs • gaps in business skills and project management training • culture that reduces burnout and attracts top talent • practical advice for agency owners on reinvention and fit If you enjoyed today's conversation, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Give us your feedback, ideas, guest suggestions, or just let us know what you're thinking anytime. The email address is hello@vvkagency.com. Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode Guests: Ray Day, APR Ray is a recognized voice and leader in communications and public relations. He joined Stagwell Global in February 2020, bringing more than three decades of experience as a chief communications officer leading global communications teams, brands, and agencies. Kimberly Hoyle Kimberly is a senior growth executive with 20 years of experience shaping multi-year growth strategies and corporate transformation plans. As a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, she drives alignment between operations, business development, and talent strategy to create scalable, sustainable growth. Peter Van Dyke Peter is CEO and co-founder of VVK PR + Creative, a Detroit-based integrated communications agency. Under his leadership, VVK has grown from 3 to 29 employees and from $1.8M to $4.1M in revenue over 3.5 years, serving mission-driven organizations throughout Metro Detroit and beyond.

What Makes a 120-Year-Old Market Essential? A conversation with Eastern Market Partnership CEO Katy Trudeau

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1988051/fan_mail/new] Detroit's Eastern Market is more than its famous Saturday crowds. CEO Katie Trudeau reveals how this 120-year-old food district serves as an economic engine for Southeast Michigan, transacting over $200,000 annually in SNAP benefits while pioneering food access programs like Double Up Food Bucks. Unlike tourist-focused markets elsewhere, Eastern Market maintains authenticity through its working food district—produce houses, meatpackers, and processors operating alongside weekend vendors. The new Shed 7 wholesale distribution center will support midsize Michigan farmers and urban growers while serving the region's diverse grocery ecosystem. Through the "Authentic Eastern Market" campaign (nearly $15.5 million raised), the nonprofit guides neighborhood development to complement rather than displace the district's food-centered identity. With events like Murals in the Market and Eastern Market After Dark, plus emerging restaurants and breweries, the market evolves while preserving its essential role in Detroit's food landscape. As Trudeau says: "People who don't love this place are people who don't know about it." Discover how this institution balances preservation with growth while creating food-based opportunities for the next generation.