Forbes announced today that it is bringing its flagship Under 30 Summit to Detroit for the next three years. The first summit will take place Oct. 27-30, and be presented by Detroit-based Rocket Mortgage. The exact venue will be announced in the coming weeks.
Each summit will bring together nearly 10,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community activists from more than 70 countries. Collectively, attendees will represent several industries, including venture capitalism, manufacturing, and public policy. The summit will allow participants to learn, network, collaborate, recruit, and exchange ideas.
Under 30 Detroit is the centerpiece of Forbes’ Under 30 franchise worldwide, which also includes the Under 30 Global Women’s Summit in Israel, Under 30 Asia, and Under 30 Europe.
“Detroit is a city on the move and a shining example of what can happen when entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, elected officials, students, and entertainers come together to address challenges, create partnerships and jointly reimagine a city’s role on the world stage,” says Randall Lane, chief content officer of Forbes and founder of the Under 30 Summit.
“For six years, our Under 30 Summits have celebrated the people who are changing our world for the better, and we are proud to help focus the world’s attention on Detroit and its leaders who are demonstrating how entrepreneurial capitalism is a force for good.”
Some of the local industries to be represented at the summit include autonomous vehicles, FinTech, renewable energy, manufacturing, ecommerce, luxury goods, and more.
“For years, Detroit has been a hotbed of creativity and entrepreneurship, and I’m proud that Forbes is recognizing that innovative spirit,” says Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “If we’re going to ensure Michigan’s success, we need to make our state a place where people come to for opportunity. Forbes choosing Detroit for its Under 30 Summit sends a strong signal to young, talented innovators across the country that Michigan is the place to be.”
Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans Inc., a sister company to Rocket Mortgage, says, “We are proud that Rocket Mortgage will be the presenting sponsor for the Forbes annual Under 30 Summit for the next three years, right here in Detroit. Working with Forbes and its outstanding executive team to bring this prestigious and well-attended summit to Detroit has been an inspirational experience. But it will pale in comparison to the excitement and energy the actual summit will bring to Detroit and all of Michigan.”
Detroit Piston star Blake Griffin, who made the Forbes Under 30 list this year, says he is looking forward to the summit. “I was humbled and proud to make the Forbes Under 30 list in 2019 and be featured on the cover of the magazine,” he says. “Just as I represent the great city of Detroit and its people while playing for the Pistons, Forbes represents entrepreneurs everywhere.”
Since 2006, the city has experienced more than $13 billion in new investment, spanning 200 projects. It is the headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies, and more than 1,300 firms from 38 countries have a strong presence in the region.
