BorgWarner Inc., a large auto supplier in Auburn Hills, is partnering with a California-based startup accelerator and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) to open an incubator location in Detroit.
Plug and Play, a global innovation platform and accelerator ecosystem for startup companies based in the Silicon Valley, matches startup companies with relevant companies and investors for three-month programs.
The location and timing of the facility’s opening were not announced.
Developed through a collaboration between Plug and Play and the MMSDC, Plug and Play Detroit will supply many startup companies with resources, guidance, and financing through its global innovation platform in an effort to achieve technical advancements faster than before.
Joining forces with Plug and Play in Detroit – in addition to its existing cooperation with Plug and Play in Silicon Valley – directly connects BorgWarner to a host of future collaborators.
“The Plug and Play model provides extraordinary access to bright innovators and a wide range of new, inventive ideas in the automotive and tech sector,” says Frédéric Lissalde, president and CEO of BorgWarner. “We keep a constant pulse on the industry to strategically pursue what’s next and establishing and investing in partnerships is one way we fuel the technology pipeline of tomorrow.”
Typically, thousands of companies compete to earn a spot in Plug and Play’s accelerator programs each year and approximately 20 startups are accepted per location. The MMSDC initiative, AmplifyD, will run similarly, but with an emphasis on women and minority entrepreneurs. This focus aligns with BorgWarner’s drive to cultivate a culture of diversity, excellence, collaboration, and integrity.
“Strong industry partners like BorgWarner have been instrumental in helping Plug and Play to achieve its position as the world’s largest innovation platform,” says Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play. “Their continued support and commitment to open innovation serves as an example for many, and we are proud to have them as a founding partner in Detroit. We look forward to investing in the best nascent mobility technologies together.”
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