The 12th Annual Global Automotive and Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC) semi-finals will take place in the Architectural Engineering Building on the campus of Lawrence Technological University on Thursday, February 27.

GAMIC was created in 2008 out of a partnership between what is now SAE International and the MI Innovation Alliance. The purpose is to identify innovative companies that offer new solutions and technology for the mobility sector and to help get those solutions adopted at a quicker pace. Historically, in the automotive space, that timeline could take up to 15 years, but GAMIC has worked to cut that time in half.

In addition to over $300,000 of in‐kind acceleration services and cash awards for the winners, GAMIC provides early stage start‐ups with an opportunity to get invaluable coaching prior to competition, as well as targeted exposure to key decision‐makers.

What was once a small idea born in Detroit, has grown into an eight-month long, international competition that has attracted participants from more than a dozen U.S. states, as well as Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, and South Korea. This year, quarter-final rounds took place at locations in Silicon Valley and Ontario, Canada, as well as Metro Detroit. Over 90 startup companies applied for the opportunity to compete in 2020.

GAMIC contestants compete in four technology categories:
1) E-Mobility
2) Connected Mobility
3) Autonomous Mobility
4) Conventional Vehicle Technology Innovations

After two months of competition prep advising from a cohort of nearly 40 mentors, the 23 semifinalists from 7 countries and 7 states will compete at Lawrence Tech for the chance to move on to the Finals at the SAE World Congress inside Detroit’s TCF Center in April. Among the competitors is Ann Arbor’s Intvo, which is focused on the smart software solution of using AI to observe, predict, and classify pedestrian behavior, enabling autonomous vehicles to better understand humans behavior and to be safe for their surroundings.

Innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and enthusiasts are all invited to register to attend the semi-final event, which also includes networking opportunities, panel discussions, a discussion with Anthony Khoraych, CEO of Advanced Test & Automation, as well as a keynote address by Allegretto Gianluca, Innovation Director at Marelli.

The event takes place 11am-8pm on February 27, 2020.

Lawrence Technological University
Architectural Engineering Building
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075

Author: Lisa Diggs

Lisa Diggs is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, business consultant, avid traveler, and founder of The Catalyst Company, LLC, Michigan Positivity Project, and Buy Michigan Now.