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From Monday, July 30th through Wednesday, August 1st Detroit hosted Endeavor’s 81st International Selection Panel (ISP), a first for the city. This event attracted 120 business leaders and high-impact entrepreneurs, who came from countries as far as Kenya and Turkey for the opportunity to join the Endeavor Network.
The three-day event hosted by Endeavor Detroit focused on the final step of our selection process. Panelists screened 22 candidates to determine the newest additions to the Endeavor Network. During the interviews, global mentors advised and assessed the companies’ ability to scale and create economic impact. Some panelists included:
Endeavor started the three-day event with a Scaleup Breakfast at Detroit’s Foundation Hotel. The event featured author and Partner at Bain & Company, Chris Zook. He spoke to both the entrepreneurs and Endeavor Mentors in attendance, about best practices for scaling companies based on 15 years of research.
Endeavor Detroit’s Board Chair, Cindy Pasky of Strategic Staffing Solutions, also had a fireside chat with Managing Director, Antonio Lück. Cindy shared her experiences founding and growing a company for the past 25+ years in Detroit.
Following breakfast and orientation, guests visited the Ford Rouge Plant for dinner. International visitors had the opportunity to tour and learn about Ford’s historic role in the auto industry. Jason Ingle, great-grandson of Henry Ford, spoke about Henry’s entrepreneurial journey in Michigan.
Interviews were the highlight of Day Two. Hosted at the brand new, state-of-the-art Mike Illitch School of Business at Wayne State University. Entrepreneurs pitched their company visions to a selection of panelists throughout the day. During the interviews, candidates received feedback from panelists on how to best achieve their strategic goals. Interviews and pitches were followed by a networking dinner at The Madison Rooftop, giving all ISP guests a bird’s eye view of Detroit.
As the 81st ISP came to a close, Day Three was filled with deliberations at Waterview Lofts. With the Detroit River and Windsor waterfront as a backdrop, panelists discussed which companies would be selected to the Endeavor Network. In parallel, candidates had the opportunity to meet Endeavor Entrepreneurs Alex O’Dell and Kyle Hoff of Floyd as part of our Detroit Experience Factory Tour.
Chris Thomas of Fontinalis and Jason Vazzano of Vectorform were featured speakers along the tour. They shared their thoughts and advice on the future of mobility and how this industry will impact all entrepreneurs.
In the evening, everyone gathered at the Detroit Institute of Arts, where entrepreneurs celebrated their selection into the Endeavor Network. Endeavor Detroit celebrated the selection of two new entrepreneurs, Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin, co-founders of Workit Health.
Guests were welcomed to the DIA by Ralph Gerson, Board Member of DIA and The William Davidson Foundation. Entrepreneurs were also treated to a private tour of Diego Rivera Court by Salvador Salort-Pons, Director of the DIA.
Detroit’s 1st and Endeavor’s 81st ISP fostered meaningful relationships across borders and industries while showcasing the city’s growth to an international audience. Follow Endeavor Detroit to learn more about our mission and how we support High-Impact Entrepreneurs in the state of Michigan.