DETROIT -- The mobility playbook that could help reshape the auto industry is being drawn up in the home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
Ten startups with inventions ranging from a car-sharing platform for classic and exotic cars to logistics software for truckers have converged in Detroit for the summer as part of Techstars Mobility, Driven by Detroit.
Techstars Mobility, Driven by Detroit, a new business incubator that is bringing a Silicon Valley-like startup culture to the Motor City, kicked off this week in a 10,000-square-foot office at Ford Field.
The corporate partners are Ford Motor Co., Honda R&D Americas, McDonald’s, Verizon Telematics, suppliers Dana Holding Corp., Magna International, and Munich Reinsurance America Inc. The companies will provide marketing dollars, mentorship and other resources.
Hundreds of companies from around the world applied for the program.
“The startups and our corporate partners are aware it is a big ecosystem. There are all kinds of other players. The startups can work with other companies; they’re not exclusive to these guys,” said Ted Serbinski, managing director of Techstars Mobility, Driven by Detroit, in an interview. “These corporate partners are exclusive sponsors to this program and get first look and access to the startups.”