From a childhood filled with tinkering to building and selling a company in the field of autonomous robotics, Dr. Mitchell Rohde’s journey into entrepreneurship has been anything but conventional. This year, he joins the Center for Entrepreneurship as a lecturer for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for mentoring the next generation of innovators.
A Mindset Built for Innovation
Dr. Rohde’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked early on. “I grew up in a household where tinkering and hacking was encouraged, and I spent most of it working with my parents and mentors pursuing a variety of technical interests and projects—mobile robots, Tesla coils, hovercraft, railguns, neural implants, and so on.”
As a student at the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering in the 1990s, he took time to reflect on what he wanted from his career: “To work with very smart people that I could respect and learn from, to work on hard problems that made a difference, and to work in a relaxed environment where I’d never have to put on a suit and tie.” Entrepreneurship was the clear path to achieving these goals, and he has never looked back.
A Career Rooted in Signal Processing and Robotics
With a PhD specializing in signal and image processing, Dr. Rohde wanted to apply his knowledge to real-world challenges. Alongside a fellow graduate student and esteemed professor Dr. William Williams, he co-founded Quantum Signal AI (QSAI) to bring AI-driven signal and image processing technologies into the commercial sector.
“While the other grad student moved on, and Dr. Williams retired from QSAI in 2005, I worked with a new partner to grow the organization from a tiny consulting business to a formidable end-to-end engineering organization that built tech and prototypes for customers large and small.” QSAI became well-known for its work in mobile robotics and autonomy, ultimately catching the attention of Ford Autonomous Vehicles, which acquired the company in 2019. Dr. Rohde remained with the company for five years to ensure a smooth transition before stepping away in early 2024 to explore new ventures and mentor other startups.
Joining the CFE and the ELP Classroom
Dr. Rohde’s introduction to the Center for Entrepreneurship came through a familiar channel: eHour. “Eric Bacyinski invited me to give an eHour talk, and as that one went well, I was invited to give another in the next semester.” His passion for working with students quickly became evident, and when the opportunity arose to co-teach ELP with Grace Hsia, he eagerly accepted. “Of course, having the opportunity to work with Grace Hsia (a powerhouse of entrepreneurship and energy) was/is a super bonus, and all the team at CFE has been amazing.”
A Passion for Teaching and Mentorship
What excites Dr. Rohde the most about working with students? Their fresh perspectives and open minds. “Most of the students in the class are new to entrepreneurship and still have the enthusiasm and altruism that goes along with that. They have an open mind, and that means we can brainstorm and talk about things without having to break through all the barriers of preconceptions that slow down innovation!”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For students considering entrepreneurship, Dr. Rohde offers practical guidance: “I’d say if you want to be an entrepreneur, realize that no person is an island and you don’t have to do it all yourself. There are a plethora of resources—the CFE, mentors, coaches, lawyers, accountants, and more—that can all help guide you and increase your probability of success!”
Beyond the Classroom: A Love for Arcade Games
When he’s not mentoring startups or inspiring students, Dr. Rohde is deeply invested in a unique hobby—collecting and restoring arcade games. “My first job was in a roller rink in the late 80s, and there I started repairing, and then collecting, arcade games. The current collection is ~80 machines (down from a high of 160) and consists mostly of video games from the golden age (1977-1985).”
His passion project, Otto’s, is a soon-to-open arcade and club in Saline, housed in a remodeled former cheese shop. There, his collection of classic games will find a permanent home, available for enthusiasts and special events.
From signal processing to startup success to arcade restoration, Dr. Rohde’s career has been anything but ordinary. We’re stoked to welcome him to the CFE and can’t wait to see how his expertise shapes the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders!