Accenture opens new corporate office in Detroit's downtown

**Mind field** · December-02-18, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by SammyS

Nice.

"Accenture believes Detroit has the DNA to become known as the Silicon Valley of the Midwest, and we want to be here to write those future chapters of Detroit's history," he said.

I share their vision

I'm as big of a Detroit booster as anyone, but to say that Detroit might become the Silicon Valley of the Midwest is a bit of a stretch IMO. We lack the deep tech talent pool of places like Silicon Valley, Seattle, Austin, and Chicago. And I'm not sure how we compare when it comes to venture capital deals and easy access to venture capital. That's another critical component of a thriving tech ecosystem. While it's nice to see local tech companies move downtown and invest downtown, we aren't drawing much in the way of outside [[national and international) investment. Something that is really hurting us is our lack of a functioning regional mass transit system.

All of that said, it's nice to Accenture, Tata, Microsoft, Amazon [[their regional office in 150. W. Jefferson), LinkedIn, and Google come to the city. Hopefully there will be more to come. But I think Chicago will rightfully have a firm hold on the title of Silicon Valley of the Midwest for many years to come. Their tech ecosystem DWARFS metro Detroit's.

**313WX** · December-02-18, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mind field

I'm as big of a Detroit booster as anyone, but to say that Detroit might become the Silicon Valley of the Midwest is a bit of a stretch IMO..

^^^Quite possibly the biggest understatement ever.

**K-slice** · December-03-18, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

^^^Quite possibly the biggest understatement ever.

I don't agree that this is entirely implausible. Looking at what Detroit already has in terms of large/ growing businesses that could help win the title of "Midwest Silicon Valley" we have some good building blocks. Quicken was the 14th largest mortgage lender in the US in 2010, today they are sitting on top of that pile mostly due to technology innovation and dominating online lending. We also have the GM, Ford, and if they are successful in looking beyond their history and succeed in becoming "mobility companies" rather than car companies I think they will have a lot to do with bringing more tech to the region.

Comprehensive mass transit and strides in public education with a focus on STEM and skilled trades would go a long way to making this area all it can be.

**313WX** · December-03-18, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by K-slice

I don't agree that this is entirely implausible. Looking at what Detroit already has in terms of large/ growing businesses that could help win the title of "Midwest Silicon Valley" we have some good building blocks. Quicken was the 14th largest mortgage lender in the US in 2010, today they are sitting on top of that pile mostly due to technology innovation and dominating online lending. We also have the GM, Ford, and if they are successful in looking beyond their history and succeed in becoming "mobility companies" rather than car companies I think they will have a lot to do with bringing more tech to the region.

Comprehensive mass transit and strides in public education with a focus on STEM and skilled trades would go a long way to making this area all it can be.

Problem is, when removing all of the facades, they're still not tech companies. They don't have nearly the amount of cash on hand to successfully compete with the real tech companies in Silicon Valley when it comes to attracting talent as well as building/marketing innovative products.

But I could be wrong. Maybe you'll be right with your optimistic expectations.