What is Michigan House?
Since 2015 Michigan House has been the place where global enterprises, entrepreneurs, non-profits, musicians, government and more come together to defy rustbelt expectations.
It's the Great Lakes State‘s experiential embassy to SXSW & it's a year round catalyst for the state's innovators & creatives.
the story
Michigan House was born in an East Austin backyard at SXSW 2015.
12 organizations teamed with a collective of friends to create a home away from home for Michiganders at the festival. A 24' Penske Truck was rented, filled with Michigan Made goods, and driven the 1300 miles to Austin, TX. For 4 days we turned that backyard into a celebration of everything that Michigan could be. 17 bands. 100s of guests. 2 visits from the Austin PD. It was pure magic, and we had no idea - like no fricking clue - how much it was about to change our lives.
5 years and multiple iterations later - Michigan House has become something different. Something more defined, intentional, and polished.
It has become a platform for innovative companies, a launch pad for artists and ideas, and a storytelling tool for the state itself. It's come a long way from the backyard, yet so much of what we strive for - the relationships, the creativity, the vision - has been there from the beginning.