The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) has launched its second interactive story map (from a series of seven maps) aimed at highlighting the region’s digital technology industry while ensuring access to jobs for all in Southeast Michigan.

The 11-county Detroit Region is known for powering innovation, whether that’s through automotive and mobility or advanced manufacturing, the landscape has always elevated technology.

The digital technology niche of the much broader technology industry is essential to powering the next generation of most businesses. Those industry subclusters in the Detroit Region are defined as software development, systems Ddsign & data storage – all which are growing strongly throughout our region.

The Detroit Region consistently ranks as one of the top locations in the nation for high quality tech talent and affordability. Ranking #4 in the nation for tech job growth and #1 for tech talent affordability in 2019. There’s more than 200,500 people working technology related occupations in the region, which grew 43% in the past 10 years (2010-2019).

There’s been a trend across the U.S. recognizing the Detroit Region as a national technology and entrepreneurship hub. The region is the birthplace to the state’s 4 unicorn company startups: Duo Security (acquired in 2019 for $2.35 billion), One Stream ($1 billion valuation in 2019), Stock X (largest VC raise in Michigan’s history), and Rivian ($1.5 billion VC raise) – ranking Michigan amongst the top 10 states for unicorn companies. In 2019, Michigan saw record VC investments at $2.1 billion, $400 million went into information technology companies.

Digital technology is supported through the region’s robust incubator, accelerator, and professional organizations network aimed at tech companies and their diverse workforce that enables them to grow from the ground up here. In addition, widely hosted across the region are a variety of coding bootcamps, conferences, summits, meetups, hackathons and more. Accessibility is key to support innovation in the tech industry, 80% of residents have high speed internet service at their home with many providers in Michigan that have made significant investments in fiber.

coworking space

This interactive story map showcases the strength of digital tech in the Detroit Region as well as connects companies and partners with regional information. In addition to this interactive and engaging story map there is a downloadable PDF version available.

Learn more about why the Detroit Region is advantageous for digital tech by clicking here to visit the Digital Technology Services Story Map or download the PDF version.