U-M students compete to shape Michigan’s innovation economy

Four members of the winning team pose with a giant check made out to Team Future

Thursday, 11/21/2024

The future of Michigan’s economy might rest in its ability to keep talented graduates in the state. Who better to propose solutions than University of Michigan students?

The Future of Work Case Study Competition, hosted by the University of Michigan School of Information as part of its 2024-25 theme year, invited UMSI students to team up with peers from across U-M to pitch a new product, service or company that would boost Michigan’s innovation economy.

Ben Marchionna stands in front of a presentation screen speaking with a crowded room — Michigan's chief innovation ecosystem officer Ben Marchionna delivers the keynote address for UMSI's Future of Work theme year. (Photo: Jeffrey M. Smith)

Students drew inspiration from a keynote talk by U-M alumnus Ben Marchionna, Michigan’s first-ever chief innovation ecosystem officer. Marchionna spoke about challenges the state faces in attracting and retaining talent, including the urban-rural divide in job opportunities, negative economic perceptions tied to declining manufacturing industries, and the trend of “brain drain” — when highly trained professionals leave the state after finishing their degrees, seeking better pay or opportunities elsewhere.

But Marchionna also emphasized opportunities. He noted that Michigan’s natural resources and quality of life are attracting new residents from across the nation, including STEM professionals and entrepreneurs who previously lived in coastal cities or tech hubs. "While change is inevitable, growth is a choice,” Marchionna told students. He said Michigan has the potential to become an innovation hub, but it will take talented young people to stay and lead the way.

U-M students responded to Marchionna’s call over the course of the 10-day case study, leveraging their skills and creativity to shape the future of work in Michigan. Three finalist teams presented their ideas on Nov. 4 in front of a panel of judges.

Team Future — comprising Bachelor of Science in Information juniors Aamina Hussain and Sineen Raslan, industrial and operations engineering sophomore Krish Jain, and first-year economics major Tasio Cole — earned first place and a $2,500 prize. They proposed the establishment of the Michigan Startup Association, a network designed to support and grow entrepreneurial activity across the state.

“We are optimistic about the future of innovation in Michigan,” Hussain said. “During our research and analysis, we learned a lot about the state, and we’re excited to see how it will leverage its advantages to keep innovating and encourage entrepreneurial activity.”

The team’s analysis showed a strong interest in entrepreneurship among recent graduates in Michigan. By offering grants, mentorship and partnerships between startups and established Michigan-based firms, the MSA would aim to keep recent graduates rooted in the state.

“This win was an incredible experience and made me feel so grateful to have met, learned and worked with such a talented team of people,” Cole said.

The second-place prize of $1,000 went to Team MichIndos, consisting of BSI junior Audrey Kowara, computer science juniors Bryan Susanto and Rexell Kurniawan, and exchange students Andrea Rahardjo and Trisha Tan. They proposed the Pure Michigan PATHWAYS Initiative, which focuses on three strategic pillars: providing financial support for students and recent graduates through internship programs; implementing incentives for companies that hire Michigan graduates; and providing seed capital, mentorship and low-interest loans to accelerate early-stage startups.

Five students hold a giant check made out to "MichIndos" — Bryan Susanto, Andrea Rahardjo, Audrey Kowara, Trisha Tan and Rexell Kurniawan took second prize. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Kowatch)

“We’re beyond excited to bring fresh ideas and solutions that could positively impact Michigan,” Kowara said. “We see a lot of potential and are eager to be part of a movement that fosters growth and positive change across the state.”

Team One, made up of Master of Science in Information students Ayesha Hakim and Lingfei Zhan and MSI/Master of Science in Sustainability and Development dual-degree student Chentao Lai, earned an honorable mention and a $500 prize. They developed a prototype for a centralized mobile app for entrepreneurs, offering essential resources including skill-building courses and networking opportunities.

The panel of judges included Andre Ray (MSI '22), cofounder and CCO of Paris Films; Nat Bulkley (PhD ’06), principal innovator at People Analytics, LLC; Nando Felten, cofounder and COO of the nonprofit Building Successful Bridges; Lauren Budde, director of academic content strategy at the U-M Center for Innovation; and Audrey Villarreal, startup strategy manager at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

“Watching students present innovative solutions reminded me of my own journey through the program,” Ray said. “I was struck not only by the students' impressive presentations but also by how it made me reflect on my own growth through similar challenges. The experience highlighted how UMSI builds both technical expertise and professional confidence in its students.”

The UMSI Future of Work Case Study Competition was funded by the Franklin Innovator Residency Fund.