Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Andria Romkema, Senior Vice President, Business Development, The Right Place, Inc. Grand Rapids, MI. This was the preview interview, also check out the follow-up press release and photos below!
Hear Andria and Jeffrey discussTech Week Grand Rapids, AI, technology trends and how West Michigan businesses can connect, innovate and grow in the SoundCloud podcast shared below:
There were several things Jeffrey wanted to find out from Andria in this conversation:
Andria, Tech Week Grand Rapids has become a major gathering for the region’s technology community. What are you hearing from West Michigan businesses right now about the biggest technology opportunities and challenges they’re facing?
This year’s kickoff features Daymond John and Robert Herjavec talking about building, protecting and scaling businesses in a digital world. Why was that business perspective important to bring to the opening of Tech Week?
AI is obviously a major part of the technology conversation right now. From your perspective, where are West Michigan businesses making real progress with AI, and where do companies still need to figure things out?
Tech Week is much bigger than one kickoff event, with businesses, entrepreneurs, students and community organizations hosting events throughout the region. What does that kind of broad participation contribute to the business community?
For a business owner or leader listening who wants to get more involved with West Michigan’s technology community, what’s one thing you would encourage them to do during Tech Week and beyond?
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Andria Romkema of The Right Place discusses Tech Week Grand Rapids, AI adoption, technology trends, business innovation and the connections helping West Michigan companies grow and compete.
More than 1,000 people attend Tech Week GR 2026 Kick-Off event with Shark Tank co-stars
Fifth annual event series launched today and runs through Friday with more than 150 events in the area
(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – The Right Place, Inc. launched its fifth annual Tech Week event today with a fireside chat from entrepreneurs and stars of ABC’s Shark Tank, Daymond John and Robert Herjavec at today’s Tech Week Grand Rapids 2026 Kick-Off event at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. More than 1,000 area business leaders, professionals and students attended the official start of the week-long event that features more than 150 events across the Greater Grand Rapids area.
The Shark’s conversation set the tone for a week of celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the transformative power of technology in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Although technology is at the center of the Tech Week conversation, the events are open to the public and not just for people involved in the technology sector.
“We are thrilled to have Daymond John and Robert Herjavec in Grand Rapids today to launch Tech Week,” said Andria Romkema, Senior Vice President of Business Development at The Right Place and lead organizer of Tech Week Grand Rapids. “Both have built their careers by anticipating where technology and business are heading next, so we were excited for our community to hear their perspective on what the future holds. It was a fantastic way to kick off this year’s Tech Week.”
This year’s Kick-Off and the week that follows are presented by premier sponsor Bank of America.
“Tech Week Grand Rapids demonstrates what’s possible when a community embraces innovation and invests in the future of the region’s businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Paul Keifer, Bank of America President West Michigan. “Bank of America is proud to support this showcase that continues to elevate Grand Rapids as a growing hub for technology, complemented by a robust education sector to inspire the next generation of tech talent, founders, and leaders.”
Now in its fifth year, Tech Week Grand Rapids is a multi-day celebration of the Greater Grand Rapids region’s growing tech ecosystem. Hosted by The Right Place and a 35-member advisory board, and powered by over 300 community partners, Tech Week features 150+ events focused on artificial intelligence, med-tech, high-tech manufacturing, mobility, cybersecurity, and more. In 2025, the event welcomed over 15,000 attendees.
For full event details, visit techweekgr.com or follow Tech Week Grand Rapids on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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About Daymond John
Daymond John has spent decades helping people turn ambition into action, ideas into brands, and setbacks into opportunities. Best known as an original cast member of ABC’s Shark Tank and the founder of the global fashion brand FUBU, Daymond has built a career around identifying opportunity, adapting through uncertainty, and empowering others to think bigger about what’s possible in business and in life. Recognizing his influence as both a business leader and mentor, former President Barack Obama appointed Daymond as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) to help inspire and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs at home and abroad.
For nearly 18 seasons on Shark Tank, Daymond John has inspired millions with his sharp business acumen, practical advice, and relatable approach to entrepreneurship. Audiences connect with his ability to turn complex business challenges into actionable lessons rooted in hard work, resilience, and smart decision-making. Listed by Real Leaders Magazine as one of the Top 20 Keynote Speakers in the World, Daymond continues to equip audiences worldwide with insights on innovation, entrepreneurship, branding, leadership, biohacking, and longevity. Drawing from his journey as a cancer survivor, he encourages leaders to prioritize their health, believing that sustainable success begins with the ability to perform at your best and serve others at your highest level.
Whether speaking to Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, educators, sales organizations, or emerging leaders, Daymond delivers relatable lessons shaped by decades of real-world experience. From launching FUBU in Queens with limited resources to becoming one of the world’s most recognized entrepreneurs, Daymond John’s journey exemplifies vision, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit. Along the way, he has earned hundreds of honors, including Brandweek Marketer of the Year, Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year, and recognition as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices. Today, he shares the lessons that fueled his success, helping leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs navigate growth, change, and opportunity.
A three-time New York Times bestselling author, Daymond has written multiple books despite dyslexia, further reflecting the resilience and determination that have defined his career. He is also the founder of The Shark Group, a branding and consulting agency that helps organizations and leaders strengthen their visibility, influence, and market position. Through his CEO Access program, he works directly with executives and entrepreneurs to elevate their personal brands, improve communication, and lead with greater impact.
Daymond believes that lasting success is built on patience, meaningful relationships, and a relentless commitment to mastering the fundamentals — principles that continue to guide his work and inspire leaders around the world.
About Robert Herjavec
Robert Herjavec is a globally recognized business leader and motivational speaker. He is the Emmy Award-winning executive producer and lead Shark on Shark Tank in the United States for the last 16 years. He has appeared on 5 seasons of Dragon’s Den in Canada and is also currently on Shark Tank Australia. He is an accomplished author with three books and had two books on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time.
Mr. Herjavec was a poor immigrant who originally came to Canada when his parents left communist Yugoslavia for a better life with one suitcase, found their way onto a boat, and settled in Toronto. He now spends time at his homes in the United States, Canada, and Australia. He is married to Kym Johnson, a world-renowned Australian ballroom dancing champion who has appeared on Broadway and on Dancing with the Stars for 17 seasons.
Professionally, he is widely recognized as one of the top cybersecurity experts in the world. He has advised governments and large enterprises on cybersecurity over the last 35 years and was the most googled person in the world for cybersecurity. He has founded and built multiple companies in the space. He founded his last company over 20 years ago with two employees and built it into one of the largest global cybersecurity companies with almost 1,000 people. He sold that company to private equity and built over a billion dollars of value. He continues to invest, work, and provide guidance to startups and established companies in the cybersecurity space.
Robert is an avid runner, former high-level race car driver, and widely recognized for his collection of exotic and rare cars. His passion is his family, growing and building businesses, mentoring others, and showing people how to get the most out of their performance and out of their companies.
About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) as designated by The International Economic Development Council. Find out more by visiting rightplace.org, liking us on Facebook, and following us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Tech Week Grand Rapids
Tech Week Grand Rapids is a dynamic, community-driven event celebrating innovation and technology in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Taking place from September 14-19, 2026, this week-long ‘unconference’ features over 100 independently hosted events. Attracting 15,000+ attendees in 2025, Tech Week showcases the latest in tech advancements and fosters collaboration among professionals, enthusiasts, and the general public. Organized by the economic development organization The Right Place, Inc., with support from local businesses and organizations, Tech Week Grand Rapids is where the future of technology and innovation converges. For more information, visit techweekgr.com.
Learn more at: www.techweekgr.com/
