Fifth annual event series launched Monday 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 (left) 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.
Here was Andria’s MBN interview ahead of the session:
