For good or bad, the days of no strings attached donations are fading into the sunset. There's a new 'value-added' approach to philanthropy and non-profits who know how to appeal to the needs of corporate donors are yielding the lion's share of financial support. 

Once upon a time, Detroit's auto industry was founded on the visions of its leaders and the risks investors made supporting them. So, where do promising new local companies go today to raise the funds they need? For 27 years the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium has helped provide an answer. The annual two-day event starts today in Ypsilanti. Could it provide the missing link to Michigan's economic evolution?

The need for quality rental units goes beyond new urbanist ideals. It also means dollars where you least expect them. Michigan just passed one of the most ambitious film incentive packages in the nation. Hollywood's come calling. And guess what they're looking for? Modern rentals in walkable downtown settings.

Not only is Cooley Law School bringing Oakland and Macomb County (combined pop: 2 million residents) its first law school, it's also created a 'green'-minded campus for its students. Now comes the hard part: convincing its graduating professionals to stay in Michigan. Metromode asks how they intend to do this, and other tough questions. 

Computer science + design + social science = Innovation. Concentrate checks out the student projects at the University of Michigan's School of Information and witnesses the next evolutionary stage in information technology.

The difference between just selling stuff and building a community is loving what you do and where you work. For the owners of Green Brain Comics and Stormy Records, being a part of Dearborn's downtown is a vital component to their success.

As southeast Michigan attracts more and more women into business leadership roles, the focus of corporate sponsorships and charitable fundraising takes on a decidely 'pink' perspective. Case in point: the Women's Power Breakfast, which not only supports community food banks but provides professional women with a unique networking opportunity.

Got nanotech? Southeast Michigan does. Metromode has seen the future even though it's invisible to the naked eye. The next evolution in technology is occurring at the atomic level and it just may usher in a new industrial revolution.