Michigan Technology Council

Statewide agency established to promote cooperation between industry and education, particularly creating jobs in technology-based business.

The Michigan Technology Council began in October 1978 as an ad hoc coalition of representatives from the University of Michigan, technology-based industries, and the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce. Originally called the Technology Based Industry-University Committee, the coalition was assembled by the Industrial Development Division (IDD) of the University's Institute for Science and Technology for the purposes of expanding cooperation between industry and the University and promoting the development of technology-based industry in the Ann Arbor area.

With extensive staff support from the IDD, the steering committee for the autonomous Technology Based Industry-University Committee began holding monthly meetings in March 1979. In March 1981 the Committee renamed itself the Michigan Technology Council (MTC)and began expanding its scope to the regional and state level, becoming incorporated as a non-profit organization later that year. In 1983 the MTC outlined its newly defined mission: "to coordinate the initiatives of business leaders with those of all Michigan educational institutions, venture capital firms, Chambers of Commerce, industrial development groups, governmental units, and other groups whose goal is to create jobs in Michigan through the growth of technology-based businesses."

By 1986 MTC's membership had grown to include "over 1600 people from some 450 companies, educational institutions and governmental agencies throughout Michigan," most of whom were "middle and upper level managers." During the first decade of its existence, the MTC's major activities included holding forums such as breakfast briefings, conferences, and educational workshops; organizing job fairs and technology fairs; and establishing committees to research and promote Michigan technological growth in the specific areas of computers, robotics, biotechnology, and technology parks. At the time of this writing, MTC still exists as a statewide agency; its offices are located on the University of Michigan campus, and its main member services are specialty training seminars.