Metro Detroit has a long history of cultural silos and regional segregation. So how does its tech and entrepreneurial community create opportunites for greater racial and cultural diversity? There's no easy answer but places like Silicon Valley are implementing aggressive and sustained efforts to bridge a divide local business leaders barely acknowledge.

Last week, the New Economy Initiative launched NEIdeas, a challenge that will award $500,000 in prizes to existing businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.