May 30, 2026 ~ Michigan’s future is being shaped by the powerful intersection of research, innovation, talent, and economic development. In this special episode of The Michigan Opportunity, host Ed Clemente sits down with two influential leaders helping drive that vision forward: Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan, Dr. Arthur “Skip” Lupia, and Chief Communications and Attraction Officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michelle Grinnell. Together, they explore how Michigan’s universities, businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities are collaborating to create breakthrough technologies, grow startups, attract global talent, and strengthen the state’s long-term economic resilience. The conversation covers research commercialization, artificial intelligence, higher education, innovation ecosystems, population growth, talent attraction, entrepreneurship, storytelling in economic development, and Michigan’s unique competitive advantages on the national and global stage.