• Ford-sponsored Go Detroit innovation challenge is intended to help identify and address Detroit transportation needs with new technology advancements from app developers and entrepreneurs

• Submissions are now being accepted to help improve access, safety and the availability of mobility solutions throughout metro Detroit

• Semifinalists will work with Ford mobility experts and local business accelerators, industry and government to refine ideas; $60,000 in cash prizes will be awarded

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 22, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is kicking off Go Detroit, an innovation challenge designed to stimulate new ideas and find ways to better connect Detroit communities using innovative mobility solutions.

Challenge organizers are working with city stakeholders to identify transportation issues faced by Detroiters. App developers and entrepreneurs can submit ideas designed to improve the safety, access and availability of transportation solutions throughout Detroit.

“To ensure people continue to enjoy freedom of movement, Ford is looking beyond the needs of today and interpreting what mobility will mean to future generations,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “We’re committed to developing mobility solutions for changing transportation needs worldwide. At the same time, we’re working to bring solutions to our backyard and the metro Detroit community, which is what Go Detroit is helping us accomplish.”

Challenge applicants need only submit ideas. Semifinalists will then work with Ford mobility experts, Detroit stakeholders and startup accelerator Techstars Mobility, driven by Detroit to refine submissions. Semifinalists will present their solutions to a panel of Ford experts and city representatives who will select six winners. Winners will receive cash rewards totaling $60,000.

Ford is working with 100%Open and Devpost, specialists in open innovation challenges, app development, open source software competitions and hackathons to produce Go Detroit.

Expanding support for the startup community
In 2015, Ford partnered with Techstars to launch Techstars Mobility, driven by Detroit, a startup business accelerator bringing mobility and transportation technologies from across the globe to metro Detroit. The program supports entrepreneurs bringing to market new technologies and approaches to help people and goods move around more freely using new ideas for mobile devices, wireless connectivity and cloud computing. Twenty-two companies have gone through two Techstars Mobility classes. These companies have worked with Ford to bring new ideas that support the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

“The worldwide response from startups and the automotive industry has blown us away,” said Ted Serbinski, managing director, Techstars Mobility. “Startups from all around the world want to build their technology startups in Detroit, at the intersection of Detroit’s entrepreneurial resurgence and its automotive dominance. We are excited to work with these innovative thinkers while bolstering the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Detroit.”

Challenges like Go Detroit promote fresh thinking and a nimbleness that allow companies to bring new products to market faster.

“Ford is interested in working with innovators so that automotive advances and communities near and far can continue to prosper,” said Bill Coughlin, president and CEO, Ford Global Technologies.

For more information, or to participate in the Go Detroit innovation challenge, visit www.godetroitchallenge.com.