Michigan LIFT launches in Detroit to link industrial buyers with scalable suppliers

Michigan LIFT, a new industrial innovation platform anchored by Ford and backed by JPMorganChase, state and partners, debuted in Detroit to connect supply-chain needs with Michigan suppliers and to mobilize capital and training for scaled manufacturing growth.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the launch of Michigan Launchpad for Industrial Innovation & Transformation (Michigan LIFT) in Detroit, created by Ford Motor Company, JPMorganChase, the State of Michigan, Michigan Central and Newlab. The initiative is built to match industrial buyers’ supply-chain and manufacturing challenges with innovative suppliers that can expand production within Michigan.

Ford is identified as the anchor industrial buyer and has set an aspiration to award up to $1 billion in business through opportunities enabled by the platform. JPMorganChase has signaled an aspiration to provide up to $1 billion in supplier debt financing to help companies scale. MEDC, Michigan Central and Newlab aim to recruit an additional 10–20 industrial buyers to the platform by 2036.

The launch also includes immediate workforce support: Ford Philanthropy and JPMorganChase committed $550,000 to Focus: HOPE’s Detroit industrial manufacturing training program. For Michigan automotive and manufacturing stakeholders, Michigan LIFT represents a coordinated effort to couple procurement demand, financing and training to grow in-state production. Next steps identified by organizers include attracting more buyers and mobilizing the pledged financing and training resources to convert platform connections into scaled contracts and manufacturing capacity.