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Aspire to Transform: Michigan Blue Economy Summit

 

Building the Future of Freshwater Innovation and Launching AquaEntrepreneur Michigan

 
 

A New Horizon for Michigan

 

Michigan is home to one of the world’s greatest freshwater assets. As global demand for water innovation grows, the state has an opportunity to turn that strength into economic growth, innovation, and long-term resilience.

 

 Supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Michigan Blue Economy Summit will mark a key moment for freshwater innovation in the state.

 

Through public conversations and a leadership roundtable, the event will connect government, industry, utilities, academia, philanthropy, investors, entrepreneurs, and other ecosystem leaders around the future of freshwater innovation in Michigan.

 

About the Summit

 

The Michigan Blue Economy Summit will build momentum around four priorities shaping the future of freshwater innovation in the state: 

 

Strengthen Michigan’s Blue Economy
Build momentum around freshwater innovation as a driver of economic growth, resilience, jobs, and competitiveness.

Connect leaders across sectors
Bring together the people and organizations needed to strengthen collaboration across Michigan’s freshwater economy.

Launch AquaEntrepreneur Michigan

Official launch of the inaugural AquaEntrepreneur Michigan cohort, introducing homegrown water-tech companies and the solutions they are bringing to real-world water challenges.

Shape what comes next
Identify shared priorities and opportunities that can accelerate freshwater innovation, commercialization, and collaboration across the state.

VIDEO INTERTITLES(5)

Frequently asked questions

Strengthen Michigan’s Blue Economy
Connect leaders across sectors
Launch AquaEntrepreneur Michigan
Shape what comes next
VIDEO INTERTITLES(5)

Event details:

Date: Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026   
Time: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm (ET)

Venue: 

University of Michigan-Flint
Northbank Center
432 N. Saginaw Street

Agenda

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Michigan Blue Economy Summit opens
University of Michigan-Flint
Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
• Brief welcoming remarks
11:15 AM - 11:40 AM
Opening Keynote
John Austin
Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution Associate Fellow, Academy of International Affairs - NRW
• Michigan Uniquely Positioned to Lead in the Growing Blue Economy 
11:40 AM -12:10 PM
Leadership Panel
Moderator: Delaney Keating
• Diving Deep by Sector: Discussing the Opportunities for Water Tech in Each Sector, and the Obstacles to Implementing Innovation. 
12:10 PM – 12:30 PM
AquaEntrepreneur Michigan Launch
Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction
• Official Announcement
• Entrepreneurs' presentations
• Selection process, program goals, blue economy vision
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Breakout Discussions with Business Leaders
Moderator: Delaney Keating
• Entrepreneurs Spotlight Barriers to Scaling in Michigan
• 4 Groups Workshop Each Barrier
• Report-back, Synthesis and Prioiritization
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks
• Summary of themes
• Next Steps
• Commitment to preparing a post-event leadership summary
Delaney Keating offers a gentle smile in a professional portrait. She wears a teal top, a off-white cardigan, a beaded choker, and a longer beaded necklace. She has long, dark wavy hair. Trees are visible through a large window in the background.
Moderator
Delaney Keating
Director of Programs and Operations, AquaAction United States
 
 
 
John Austin smiles while looking to the right in a black-and-white portrait. He wears an open-collar white dress shirt and a dark suit jacket. Strong backlighting highlights his short hair, suit silhouette, and profile against a bright white background.
Keynote Speaker
John Austin
Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution Associate Fellow, Academy of International Affairs - NRW
 
11:15- 11:40
Opening Keynote
John Altenberg smiles in a portrait wearing a dark grey patterned suit jacket, blue-and-white patterned button-down shirt, and patterned blue tie. He stands before a white backdrop repeating a blue circular logo with Great Lakes outlines.
Panel Moderator
John Altenberg
President & CEO of The Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
 
11:15-12:00
Leadership Panel
Mark Schrupp wears black-framed glasses, a blue plaid suit jacket, a white dress shirt, and a patterned blue tie. He has dark brown hair and offers a slight smile in a studio headshot against a neutral grey background.
Panelist
Mark Schrupp
Executive Director, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority
 
11:15-12:00
Leadership Panel
 

Organized By

 

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University of Michigan Flint - office of econ dev
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Entrepreneurs Water Tech
Detroit Riverfront
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