A Powerhouse in the Midwest
Dan Gilbert is a name synonymous with power and influence in Detroit. As the chairman of Rock Ventures and owner of Quicken Loans, he has been actively involved in revitalizing the city’s downtown area for over half a decade. With an impressive portfolio of 60 buildings, housing around 12,000 employees, Gilbert is now looking to convince Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to consider moving their operations to America’s Motor City.
A Talented and Affordable City
Gilbert’s enthusiasm for Detroit is contagious. When asked why he believes the city should be considered as a viable option for startups, he replied:
"The perception doesn’t do it justice. You have a huge talent pool… And the people are way cooler."
According to Gilbert, the Midwest work ethic is not a myth. In fact, he asserts that Detroit has an innovative and forward-thinking government, which he believes will attract entrepreneurs from across the country.
A City with Space to Spare
Gilbert’s extensive investments in Detroit have provided the city with ample office space for new startups. He has made significant strides in reducing blight around the city, transforming abandoned areas into vibrant hubs of activity. This compact and revitalized environment allows smaller companies to gain a foothold in the tech economy.
Detroit: A City on the Rise
As Gilbert himself puts it:
"We have great bones."
While Detroit may not be an obvious choice for startups, the city is undoubtedly experiencing a period of rebirth. Thanks to Quicken Loans and Gilbert’s efforts, most blight has been converted into affordable office space. This transformation has allowed entrepreneurs to tap into the city’s vast talent pool.
Gilbert’s Vision
When asked about his vision for Detroit’s future, Gilbert emphasized:
"Detroit is all about opportunity."
With a thriving tech scene on the horizon, it seems that Dan Gilbert’s dream of converting Detroit into a hub of innovation is slowly becoming a reality. As the city continues to undergo significant changes, entrepreneurs and startups would do well to consider taking advantage of the opportunities available in this once-forgotten city.
A Conversation with Dan Gilbert
In a recent interview at Disrupt SF 2014, John Biggs had the chance to sit down with Gilbert and discuss his vision for Detroit’s future. During their conversation, Biggs touched on various aspects of Gilbert’s plans, including:
- Talent pool: How does Gilbert believe that Detroit can attract top talent?
- Innovative government: What specific initiatives is Gilbert undertaking to foster innovation in the city’s government?
- Blight reduction: How has Gilbert tackled the issue of blight in the city?
Through this conversation, we gain a deeper understanding of Gilbert’s motivations and vision for Detroit’s future.
Detroit: A City on the Rise
While the article does not contain much about TikTok, there are some other relevant tech news below:
- TikTok users’ attempted migration to Chinese app RedNote isn’t going too well
- DOJ confirms FBI operation that mass-deleted Chinese malware from thousands of US computers
- OpenAI’s AI reasoning model ‘thinks’ in Chinese sometimes and no one really knows why
- China is reportedly open to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok US
- Biden admin snubs Tesla’s $100 million big-rig charging funding request — again
These stories provide insight into the fast-paced world of tech, from startups to government initiatives.
