At the New York Times DealBook Summit, the University of Michigan and President Domenico Grasso gathered leaders from across the innovation and business ecosystem for a conversation about how universities and the private sector can help revive the American dream and create opportunity across the nation’s geography. 

Joining Grasso were:

• Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and CEO of Revolution
• Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour
• Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker
• Carolina Pluszczynski, acting CEO of Michigan Central
• Shivani Siroya, founder and CEO of Tala

The group explored why prosperity feels increasingly concentrated in only a few regions and examined how research universities can expand opportunity by generating new ideas, supporting startups, driving technological breakthroughs, and partnering more intentionally with industry.

These leaders discussed how innovation districts, public–private collaboration, and emerging technologies such as AI can create jobs, strengthen communities and widen access to economic mobility.

The session illuminated how the unique combination of American universities, businesses and civic organizations has created an unparalleled business and discovery environment and participants highlighted the critical need for more collaboration to build and advance a more inclusive and dynamic innovation economy.

Find the podcast recording here and the video of the session here.