 "Photo: Kenyon Rudds --For The South End")
On the first Friday of every month, TechTown, Wayne State’s Research and Technology Park, meets in order to foster networking with entrepreneurs, investors, service providers and mentors.
A large crowd attended the First Fridays’ meeting on Nov. 7, sponsored by law firm Dykema Gossett, to network with local businesses. Attendees also heard more about TechTown’s development.
TechTown was designed as a research and technology park to stimulate job growth and small business creation by developing companies in emerging high-technology industries.
Irvin D. Reid, former president of WSU, envisioned a 24-hour living, learning community within the techcenters that would stimulate the economy and promote growth.
In addition to networking, every month there is a new speaker. This month, Josh Holmes spoke about Microsoft’s latest software development, BizSpark, while Cynthia Bell of the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan informed audiences on how to go about securing government contracts.
There are a number of businesses based out of TechTown, some of whom employ or are run by Wayne State students and/or faculty. WhatBox Initiative is a student-run agency created in April 2008 out of WSU’s school of business. The company is run by four students who operate the business and offer marketing communications strategies and innovative concepts for the businesses within TechTown.
Dr. Greg Auner, professor at the college of engineering, developed the Smart Sensors and Integrated Microsystems at Wayne State, and after WSU licensed the technology to him, he took it to TechTown in order to commercialize the technology for global use. The SSIM translates complicated information to doctors in real time with nearly perfect accuracy.
“We are exploring ways to become more involved with Wayne State students,” said Allison Lumb, marketing coordinator for TechTown. “It is really essential ... and we think students should be present.”
According to Executive Director Randal Charlton, there are 20 students working in TechTown.
John Collins, recent graduate of Wayne State’s law school and Chase Cantrell of Dykema agreed that it is important for entrepreneurs to have access to students and new ideas.
“Who you know gets you in the door what you know keeps you there,” Erik Ohrenberger of Vision IT said. “It’s going to be an extremely tight labor market and the more diverse the connections, the more diverse the networking, the better chance at getting a job — personal connections carries a lot more than your resume.”
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