Minnesota startup Carba raises $6M to scale landfill carbon removal technology (biocarbon) and plans Asia expansion, securing a Microsoft deal.

Reema Health raised $19M Series B led by LRVHealth & Optum Ventures to expand high-touch Medicaid outreach, cutting costs & boosting engagement.

Detroit's $1M Entertainment Innovation Incubator, funded by Usher & Big Sean, offers youth a virtual production studio, AI, and creative startup mentorship.

EMU launches Empowerment Program for low-income entrepreneurs in SE Michigan, offering coaching, $6K funding, and skills training for small businesses.

Rockwell Automation plans a new 1M sq ft Wisconsin factory as part of a $2B U.S. expansion, emphasizing smart manufacturing and robotics.

Purdue & Google expand AI research, education, and workforce initiatives in Indiana. All students face a new AI competency requirement.

Ryan Rybolt, CEO of Payload, shares lessons from farm work to IPO, building bootstrapped fintech in Cincinnati and disrupting payments with embedded bank rails.

Kerry Duggan, founder of Energy Security Partners, champions Midwest climate resilience, translating policy expertise into action for clean tech and sustainable solutions.