AUBURN HILLS, Mich.,
Jan. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --
- 'Plug and Play Detroit powered by AmplifyD' will provide
streamlined access to an ecosystem of hundreds of technology
startups, with an emphasis on women and minorities
FCA today announced that it will join a partnership formed
between Plug and Play, the largest global innovation platform for
startups and corporations, and the Michigan Minority Supplier
Development Council (MMSDC) to bring a new innovation hub to
Detroit by June 2020. "Plug and Play Detroit powered by
AmplifyD" (Amplify:Diversity) will provide streamlined access to
all technology startups, with an emphasis on those owned by women
and minorities.
The partnership underpins FCA's approach to the rapid advancement
of select technologies through smart and strategic collaborations
that promote a culture of innovation and safety.
"The automotive industry is at the crossroads of digital
transformation, where automated driving, connectivity,
electrification and shared mobility are reshaping the future of
mobility," Mark Stewart, Chief
Operating Officer, FCA North America, said. "The participation with
Plug and Play Detroit powered by AmplifyD accelerates FCA's
approach to research and development, providing immediate
streamlined access to an ecosystem of hundreds of technology
startups all with an emphasis on diversity, and with greater
diversity, comes greater innovation."
According to Michelle Sourie
Robinson, President & CEO of MMSDC, "Innovation
accelerator programs play a critical role in successfully bringing
new ideas to market. Through this partnership, entrepreneurs will
gain access to resources, mentoring, financing, as well as physical
space, to research and develop future mobility technology. Such
resources, in many cases, are not readily available for
entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities. I am excited to
partner with Plug and Play, FCA and various other corporations we
will announce in the future, to address this need as we grow
corporations and entrepreneurs in the process."
While FCA will become a founding partner in the innovation hub,
AmplifyD expects to welcome additional corporate and automotive
partners soon. FCA's support and partnership with MMSDC is
consistent with the company's longstanding, enterprise-wide
commitment to diversity. Later this month, Scott Thiele, Head of Purchasing and Supply
Chain Management, FCA - North
America, will assume the helm as MMSDC Board
Chairman.
Plug and Play Detroit powered by AmplifyD will secure space in
downtown Detroit for the
innovation hub in the first quarter of 2020 with plans to open its
doors by June.
"We have been building innovation platforms focused on mobility
worldwide in locations such as Silicon Valley, Stuttgart and Tokyo. As Detroit has been the origin of the automotive
industry in the U.S., this is a strategic location for us to
connect our corporate partners to startups and entrepreneurs and to
continue to foster collaboration and innovation," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play.
"The automotive industry is going through an incredible
transformation with electrification, connected and autonomous
vehicles. This partnership with MMSDC and FCA as an early
participant - globally as well as in Detroit - in the automotive industry, is a
perfect example of how big corporations are taking the necessary
steps to embrace the changes in the mobility sector."
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in
Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate
innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological
advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in
2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in
over 25 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources
to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups
and 300 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate
startup ecosystem in many industries. Companies in our community
have raised over $7 billion in
funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Rappi,
Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. For more information, visit
https://plugandplaytechcenter.com/
About MMSDC
The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) is a
non-profit organization promoting the economic growth of our
corporate members and the minority-owned businesses that serve
them. Operating since 1977, MMSDC drives more than $36 billion dollars in economic impact each year
with its 1,200 certified minority business owners and 300 corporate
members. For more information, visit
www.minoritysupplier.org.
About FCA US LLC
FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs,
manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler,
Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT
performance designation. The Company also distributes Mopar and
Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA
US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler
Corp., established in 1925 by industry visionary Walter P. Chrysler and Fabbrica Italiana
Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.), founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs,
including Giovanni Agnelli.
FCA US is a member of the Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. (NYSE: FCAU/
MTA: FCA).
FCA is an international automotive group listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FCAU" and on the Mercato
Telematico Azionario under the symbol "FCA."
Follow FCA US news and video
on:
Company blog: blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Twitter (Spanish): www.twitter.com/fcausespanol
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fcanorthamerica
Media website: media.fcanorthamerica.com
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