Detroit has always been a city of reinvention, and the latest wave of startups at Newlab proves that innovation isn’t slowing down. Through a partnership with Ford’s Michigan Central, Newlab fosters a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs tackling sustainable mobility. Among them is Shandoka, an electric motorcycle startup led by CEO Ernest Eich, who is reimagining two-wheeled transportation. Instead of building new electric motorcycles from scratch, Shandoka retrofits existing models with Eich’s structural adapter — an innovative power solution that replaces combustion engines. This approach reduces waste and accelerates the transition to cleaner transportation.

This shift aligns with the broader goals of a just transition — ensuring that workers and industries impacted by decarbonization aren’t left behind. Newlab’s ecosystem provides essential resources, from state-of-the-art tools to industry expertise, helping companies like Shandoka scale their greenhouse gas emissions impact. According to the EPA, transportation accounts for nearly 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and motorcycles contribute to air pollution that exacerbates asthma and heart disease. By transforming existing motorcycles into zero-emission vehicles, Eich and his team are designing a product that contributes to a cleaner future.