[Corrected, 10:20am. See below] Here’s a look at startup and innovation news from around Michigan:
—Hacker Fellows, the Detroit-based training program that places computer science graduates in developer roles at high-growth tech startups across the state, will hold an interview day on April 8 to introduce its fellows to potential employers. Now in its second year, the program selected this year’s cohort from 170 applicants; after a five-week bootcamp, the fellows will work for a local early-stage startup willing to help them further hone their skills for the duration of the year-long fellowship. The program is designed to help fill the void of top developer talent in Michigan. [Corrected date of interview day—Eds.]
—Rebrand Detroit, the revitalization project backed by Brand Camp University and Knight Foundation, launched late last month in the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood. The project will help neighborhood-based startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses tell their stories through compelling branding and social media. The goal is to change circulation patterns and attract new people and investment to the Detroit neighborhoods outside of the downtown business district. Rebrand Detroit is looking for passionate city residents to get involved in future projects. (Click here to connect with the organization.)
—Wayne State University president M. Roy Wilson has been recognized with a “giving back” award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which covers inclusion and diversity in higher education. Wilson was honored for his work in guiding underrepresented students toward science careers. In 2015, he improved WSU’s pipeline of underrepresented students interested in science careers. He also formed a coalition of Detroit-based colleges and universities to launch the National Institutes of Health-funded Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) program. Wilson is featured in the April issue of the magazine, along with 26 other award recipients.
—In other WSU news: Wayne State’s Detroit Revitalization Fellows just scored a $400,000 grant from the Erb Family Foundation to support its work trying to improve the health and quality of life of Detroit residents. Over the next 17 months, three fellows placed at the Belle Isle Conservancy, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy, and EcoWorks will solicit feedback from city residents and design an environmental project meant to have a lasting impact on Southeast Michigan. This is the first time the Erb Family Foundation has supported the fellowship program.
—Sapa Technology, a Norwegian aluminum producer, this week opened a research and development center in Troy, MI. The company said the $3 million facility is the first of its kind in North America. The five engineers at Sapa Technology Americas will work on extruded aluminum products for the auto industry, as well as thermal analysis and corrosion and surface treatment technologies.
