Alchemie, a Troy, MI-based educational technology startup, has won another round of funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop 3D and augmented reality (AR) learning tools for teaching general chemistry. The funding, announced this week, is a $140,000 Technology Enhancement through Commercialization Partnerships extension to a Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) … Continue reading “Alchemie Snags NSF Grant to Develop AR Tools for Teaching Chemistry”
Author: Sarah Schmid Stevenson
Sarah is a former Xconomy editor. Prior to joining Xconomy in 2011, she did communications work for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan House of Representatives. She has also worked as a reporter and copy editor at the Missoula Independent and the Lansing State Journal. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Native American Studies from the University of Montana and proudly calls Detroit "the most fascinating city I've ever lived in."
Meet the Companies in Backstage Capital’s Detroit Accelerator
Backstage Capital, a Los Angeles-based venture firm seeding early-stage companies led by women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community, has announced the details of its Detroit startup accelerator. Earlier this year, Backstage founder Arlan Hamilton announced the firm would host its first accelerators in four cities, including Detroit. The Motor City’s inclusion, … Continue reading “Meet the Companies in Backstage Capital’s Detroit Accelerator”
Roundup: Personnel Moves, MedHealth Summit, Genomenon, TechTown, More
Let’s catch up on news from around Michigan’s innovation clusters: —The Midwest Growth Capital Symposium, held just outside of Ann Arbor on May 14-15, is in search of companies in the life sciences and tech sectors to pitch investors. The 36 selected companies will each have 10 minutes to present to an audience of potential … Continue reading “Roundup: Personnel Moves, MedHealth Summit, Genomenon, TechTown, More”
Smart Factory Tours Aim to Introduce Students to Industry 4.0 Jobs
With record low unemployment in the U.S., it has become increasingly difficult to find workers interested in pursuing factory jobs, especially as manufacturing becomes more high-tech. According to a 2018 study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, an estimated 2.4 million factory positions will go unfilled between 2018 and 2028, with a potential impact of … Continue reading “Smart Factory Tours Aim to Introduce Students to Industry 4.0 Jobs”
State Allocates Funds for Advanced Computing Hub, Incubator Programs
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for state-supported entrepreneurial programs. On Wednesday, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved $250,000 to support a new advanced computing hub at Wayne State University as part of the statewide Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) program. MTRAC seeks to accelerate the transfer of technology developed at Michigan universities … Continue reading “State Allocates Funds for Advanced Computing Hub, Incubator Programs”
Carmera, Toyota Research Institute Zoom Ahead on AV Mapping Project
Carmera, the maker of dynamic, real-time, high-definition maps for use in mobility applications, announced today that it has entered into a commercial partnership with Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development, the carmaker’s division focused on the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. The monetary value of the partnership was not disclosed. The two companies will collaborate on a … Continue reading “Carmera, Toyota Research Institute Zoom Ahead on AV Mapping Project”
Mainstreet Mob Aims the Spotlight on Detroit’s Small Businesses
With so many new restaurants and retailers opening in downtown Detroit to much fanfare in the local press, the mom-and-pop businesses that have always served as the city’s backbone can feel excluded from the revitalization narrative. Often, the shoestring budgets of these small businesses don’t include resources for a digital marketing team, or they may … Continue reading “Mainstreet Mob Aims the Spotlight on Detroit’s Small Businesses”
Fintech Pitchfest Highlights Detroit’s Blockchain & Crypto Activity
Southeast Michigan, with its proximity to Canada and top-notch universities, as well as a growing financial technology ecosystem, is well-positioned to be a hub for blockchain businesses. So says Adam Zientarski, policy director at the Detroit Blockchain Center. His organization, in partnership with the FinTech Consortium and Detroit FinTech Bay, will host the inaugural Detroit … Continue reading “Fintech Pitchfest Highlights Detroit’s Blockchain & Crypto Activity”
Spatial.ai’s Geosocial Datasets Capture a Community’s Personality
Even with all that we’ve learned since 2016 about weak protections on consumer data privacy in the United States, people still love social media and reveal a ton of personal information in the course of all that posting, sharing, and liking. The insights gleaned from the wealth of social media data are fueling a number … Continue reading “Spatial.ai’s Geosocial Datasets Capture a Community’s Personality”
Detroit Urban Solutions Seeks to Amplify the Regional Tech Ecosystem
TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University, and NextEnergy have formed a new consortium to advance the Motor City’s tech ecosystem and apply new innovations to tough civic challenges. Called Detroit Urban Solutions, the consortium will focus primarily on mobility, digital health, civic, and smart city technologies. We called Paul Riser Jr., who is stepping down from … Continue reading “Detroit Urban Solutions Seeks to Amplify the Regional Tech Ecosystem”
“Stigma is Going Away”: Cannabis IP is Thorny, But Not Impossible
No longer solely the provenance of hippie or outlaw types, the U.S. cannabis industry has become more sophisticated and tech-enabled as it has come out of the shadows over the past decade. Michigan voters pushed the state to joined the ranks of nine others last fall in approving adult use of recreational marijuana. But with … Continue reading ““Stigma is Going Away”: Cannabis IP is Thorny, But Not Impossible”
May Mobility Snags $22M Investment, Will Expand to New Cities in ’19
May Mobility, an Ann Arbor, MI-based startup developing self-driving shuttles, today announced that it has raised a $22 million Series A funding round. The company has raised approximately $33.5 million since its inception in 2017. The new investment was co-led by Millennium New Horizons and Cyrus Capital Partners, with participation from LG Technology Ventures, Thayer … Continue reading “May Mobility Snags $22M Investment, Will Expand to New Cities in ’19”
Roundup: Riser’s New Role, STEM Summit, U-M AV News, and More
Let’s catch up on Michigan’s latest innovation news: —[Clarification, 2/11/19, 9:31 p.m.; see below.] Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI 12) announced that the University of Michigan will receive a $2.5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers program to continue funding for the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation. … Continue reading “Roundup: Riser’s New Role, STEM Summit, U-M AV News, and More”
French Auto Supplier Valeo Moves Toward Mobility with New Innovations
Although the timeline for getting fully driverless cars on the road is in flux, the mobility industry is moving along at a rapid clip. Yet another huge investment in the sector was announced this week when Aurora Innovations, based in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, scored more than half a billion dollars from a group of … Continue reading “French Auto Supplier Valeo Moves Toward Mobility with New Innovations”
Genomenon Raises $2.5M, Plans to Increase Work with Pharma Customers
Genomenon, the Ann Arbor, MI-based genomics search engine startup, has raised $2.5 million in what the company calls a “seed extension” round. The equity financing included investments by IrishAngels, a group founded by Notre Dame alumni; H.W. Kaufman Group; Invest Michigan; and all previous investors, including Genomenon CEO Mike Klein. He says the company will … Continue reading “Genomenon Raises $2.5M, Plans to Increase Work with Pharma Customers”
Everdays Raises $12 Million for End-of-Life Communication Platform
Mark Alhermizi first found startup success with Gas Station TV, a Birmingham, MI-based company that broadcasted from gas station pumps and was sold to Dan Gilbert’s Rockbridge Growth Equity in 2014 for a reported $100 to $200 million. In 2017, Alhermizi started a new “social platform” venture called Everdays, which was born as a result … Continue reading “Everdays Raises $12 Million for End-of-Life Communication Platform”
Health Analytics “Supergroup” Crunches Data to Speed Drug Development
A new healthcare data analysis “supergroup” anchored by technology developed at MIT is getting some help from MMS Holdings, a Canton, MI-based contract service provider to biopharmaceutical companies. The Health Analytics Collective will use artificial intelligence-powered analysis software called Julia to help pharmaceutical companies streamline the process of getting new drugs to market, says Uma … Continue reading “Health Analytics “Supergroup” Crunches Data to Speed Drug Development”
Global Detroit Pushes Back on Trump’s Latest Immigration Proposals
President Donald Trump’s demand for more than $5 billion in budget appropriations to build a wall along the southern border of the United States—and congressional Democrats’ refusal to allocate that money—recently sparked the longest partial shutdown of the federal government in the nation’s history. That shutdown is now in temporary reprieve until mid-February, theoretically to … Continue reading “Global Detroit Pushes Back on Trump’s Latest Immigration Proposals”
Wayne State, Microsoft Partner to Prepare Students for Tech Careers
Detroit’s Wayne State University has a new pilot underway with Microsoft to provide job-ready, employable talent for high-demand technical positions, including cloud computing, data science, cybersecurity, and A.I. Keith Whitfield, WSU’s provost, says the university has been in talks with Microsoft about various initiatives for the past 18 months. “What emerged was the idea that … Continue reading “Wayne State, Microsoft Partner to Prepare Students for Tech Careers”
Roundup: Erie Hack, MedHealth Summit, PlanetM, DTX Detroit, WMU
Now that the holidays are over—heck, January is almost over—Michigan’s innovation hubs are hard at work. Here is a selection of recent tech news from around the state: —Do you wonder what the deal is with driverless cars? Do you have questions as a consumer about safety, technology, or cost? The University of Michigan will … Continue reading “Roundup: Erie Hack, MedHealth Summit, PlanetM, DTX Detroit, WMU”
MEDC Leader Details Michigan’s Road to the Waymo AV Factory Deal
This week, Michigan’s economic development office notched a win when it announced that Waymo, Google’s mobility arm, had chosen the Great Lakes State as the location for a new manufacturing operation. According to a press release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Waymo will invest $13.6 million in a factory that will integrate Waymo’s … Continue reading “MEDC Leader Details Michigan’s Road to the Waymo AV Factory Deal”
Neurable, Vectorform Partner on Brain-Computer Interface Applications
Neurable, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup spun out of the University of Michigan and now based in Boston, has found a new partner in a familiar place. Vectorform, headquartered in Royal Oak, MI, is a software development and digital design firm that is collaborating with Neurable on BCI products for its clients in the automotive, … Continue reading “Neurable, Vectorform Partner on Brain-Computer Interface Applications”
Report: BMW, Daimler Form Mobility Services Biz Called … Jurbey?
If you needed more evidence that automobile companies are taking self-driving cars and other emerging mobility tech seriously, look no further than this week’s report that German automakers BMW and Daimler have formed a new mobility services company, which will operate out of a central Berlin building that Daimler formerly used to host Mercedes-Benz Fashion … Continue reading “Report: BMW, Daimler Form Mobility Services Biz Called … Jurbey?”
Plymouth Growth Partners Backs Fort Wayne’s Allied Payment Network
Plymouth Growth Partners has made another investment in an Indiana tech company. The Ann Arbor, MI-based venture capital fund has invested an undisclosed amount in Allied Payment Network, which is located in Fort Wayne, IN. Plymouth partner Jeff Barry says the deal was valued in the “multi-millions.” Barry will join Allied’s board as part of … Continue reading “Plymouth Growth Partners Backs Fort Wayne’s Allied Payment Network”
Michigan Mobility Institute Aims to Expand AV Talent, Ecosystem
A new tech education effort is forming in Detroit—created by Fontinalis Partners co-founder Chris Thomas—that focuses on teaching adult students the skills they need to compete for the increasingly large number of open jobs in the mobility industry. Called the Detroit Mobility Lab, it has two goals: to build the mobility talent infrastructure necessary to … Continue reading “Michigan Mobility Institute Aims to Expand AV Talent, Ecosystem”
Auto Show Notes: Techstars Mobility Rebrands, Expands Mission
Detroit’s North American International Auto Show was the place for a plethora of mobility-related announcements this week, including some significant news from the Boulder, CO-based Techstars accelerator program. Techstars launched an incubator for mobility startups in the Motor City four years ago, and the program has flourished since. In recognition of that success as well … Continue reading “Auto Show Notes: Techstars Mobility Rebrands, Expands Mission”
NAIAS: Ford’s Foray into Microtransit Proved Valuable, Klevorn Says
Detroit’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) pulled back the curtains for a media preview Monday and Tuesday before it opens its doors to the public next week. Coming on the heels of CES—the annual technology conference in Las Vegas that has increasingly become the preferred venue for automakers to showcase their latest technology developments—the … Continue reading “NAIAS: Ford’s Foray into Microtransit Proved Valuable, Klevorn Says”
Online Tech Expands Cloud, Data Services with Neverfail Acquisition
Online Tech, the Ann Arbor, MI-based provider of cloud services, beefed up its capabilities last month when it acquired the infrastructure-as-a-service and data protection businesses of Neverfail, an IT company located in Austin, TX. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Online Tech CEO Brad Cheedle says his company offers managed services around cloud … Continue reading “Online Tech Expands Cloud, Data Services with Neverfail Acquisition”
Tetra Inks Deal with Shionogi to Support Fragile X, Alzheimer’s R&D
The lead drug of Tetra Discovery Partners is already in mid-stage clinical studies as a treatment for the rare Fragile X Syndrome. But the Grand Rapids, MI, biotech says its drug could also treat a disorder affecting far more people: Alzheimer’s disease. The startup has reached across the Pacific Ocean to land the cash for … Continue reading “Tetra Inks Deal with Shionogi to Support Fragile X, Alzheimer’s R&D”
Humatics Raises $28M Round to Advance Spatial Intelligence Platform
Humatics, the Waltham, MA-based startup working on microlocation technology for use in robots and autonomous vehicles, today announced that it has raised $28 million in a Series A1 round. The investment was led by Tenfore Holdings, with participation from Blackhorn Ventures, JCI Ventures (the venture arm of Johnson Controls), and all major investors from Humatics’ 2017 Series … Continue reading “Humatics Raises $28M Round to Advance Spatial Intelligence Platform”
Vade Nutrition Swims Out of MSU and Into “Shark Tank,” Scores $700K
While attending Michigan State University in the mid-2010s, Joe Johnson earned a degree in finance, served as the captain of the school’s wrestling team, and met and married his wife Megan. In between, he found time to dream of starting his own company, but he never imagined he would one day count retired professional baseball … Continue reading “Vade Nutrition Swims Out of MSU and Into “Shark Tank,” Scores $700K”
Invest Michigan Hits Milestone, Backs Fiftieth Company in Four Years
Invest Michigan, an investment fund supported by the state-backed Michigan Strategic Fund, hit a major milestone at the end of 2018: it invested in its fiftieth company in four years. Ann Arbor’s Spellbound, which has developed a therapeutic tool to help kids cope with illness and engage in treatment through augmented reality technology, received the … Continue reading “Invest Michigan Hits Milestone, Backs Fiftieth Company in Four Years”
Indy Roundup: Pelican BioThermal, Pattern89, Perceivant Make Moves
As 2018 comes to a close, Indiana startups and tech entrepreneurs are as busy as ever. Here are some recent headlines from the Hoosier State’s innovation community: —Pattern89, a startup using artificial intelligence to improve paid advertising results on social media, has raised a $3.5 million funding round. The investment was led by F&M Investments, … Continue reading “Indy Roundup: Pelican BioThermal, Pattern89, Perceivant Make Moves”
Gilbert Foundation to Pursue Gene Therapy for Neurofibromatosis
The Gilbert Family Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert and his wife Jennifer, is making its first foray into gene therapy research. The foundation will spend $12 million in an initiative to develop new treatments that target the underlying genetic abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a disorder that can result … Continue reading “Gilbert Foundation to Pursue Gene Therapy for Neurofibromatosis”
U-M’s Desai Accelerator Invests Millionth Dollar Since 2013 Launch
The University of Michigan’s Desai Accelerator, an incubator open to early-stage tech startups regardless of their connection to the school, hit a major milestone this year: It invested its millionth dollar after funding the six companies in its 2018 cohort. The accelerator, a joint initiative between the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the … Continue reading “U-M’s Desai Accelerator Invests Millionth Dollar Since 2013 Launch”
ExactTarget’s McCorkle Hatches MetaCX to Improve Software Experience
Scott McCorkle, one of Indiana’s more seasoned software executives, is back in the startup arena with MetaCX, a High Alpha-backed company focused on “customer success” software. MetaCX launched last week with $14 million in seed funding led by Los Angeles-based Upfront Ventures. Upfront Ventures partner Kobie Fuller will join the MetaCX board along with McCorkle … Continue reading “ExactTarget’s McCorkle Hatches MetaCX to Improve Software Experience”
After $2B+ Cisco Buyout, Dug Song Reflects on Duo Security’s Journey
Successful startup founders who are also humble and down-to-earth are a rare breed in the tech industry. But Duo Security co-founder and former CEO Dug Song is a mensch in every sense of the word. Song is best known as the guy who started and nurtured a cybersecurity company worth billions in Ann Arbor, MI—outside … Continue reading “After $2B+ Cisco Buyout, Dug Song Reflects on Duo Security’s Journey”
Ford Unveils Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Technology at $45M Test Bed
Ford Motor Company is undergoing a transformation from nuts-and-bolts automaker to something that more closely resembles a tech company, and this week, the company offered press tours of its $45 million Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford, MI. The center, meant to be a sort of digital test bed, didn’t look at all like a traditional … Continue reading “Ford Unveils Cutting-Edge Manufacturing Technology at $45M Test Bed”
Adherium Aims to Improve Asthma Patient Outcomes with Smart Inhalers
Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization for children under 15 years of age in the U.S., and it’s the leading cause of missed school among children ages 5 to 17. Missed school can lead to missed work and lost income if parents need to stay home to care for their sick kids, potentially leading … Continue reading “Adherium Aims to Improve Asthma Patient Outcomes with Smart Inhalers”
High Alpha’s Anvl Teams with Cummins to Launch Work Safety Software
High Alpha, the Indianapolis “venture studio” that funds and incubates startups, has launched a new workplace safety software company called Anvl. Anvl’s software allows for the capture and synthesis of environmental, sensor, and other data to “intervene at the point of risk” and guide workers in dangerous maintenance and service jobs to safety. The company … Continue reading “High Alpha’s Anvl Teams with Cummins to Launch Work Safety Software”
Occipital Reaches Turning Point with New 3D Sensor for Drones, VR
Occipital, the San Francisco-based spatial computing startup, first planted its flag in computer vision tech five years ago when it released a plug-in sensor, billed as the first 3D sensor created for mobile devices such as the iPad. Called Structure Sensor, it allows users—mostly software developers and gamers—to capture 3D models or images in order … Continue reading “Occipital Reaches Turning Point with New 3D Sensor for Drones, VR”
Workers, Investors, Trump React to Cuts as GM Clears Way for Mobility
On Monday, GM made an announcement that rattled Wall Street, automotive analysts, its own workforce, and President Trump . A day after the car manufacturer announced plans to close factories in Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, and Oshawa, Ontario, Trump threatened on Twitter Tuesday afternoon to take away GM’s federal electric car subsidies, which it uses to … Continue reading “Workers, Investors, Trump React to Cuts as GM Clears Way for Mobility”
U-M’s Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked Best in U.S.
The University of Michigan has spent the better part of a decade beefing up classes and programs that teach students how to start and run their own companies, and those efforts appear to be paying off. Earlier this month, Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine rated U-M as the best undergraduate program for entrepreneurship in the … Continue reading “U-M’s Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked Best in U.S.”
Michigan Mobility Challenge Awards Funding to Innovation Projects
The Michigan Mobility Challenge, a state grant program for innovative multi-modal transportation projects, has begun handing out money to grantees. From the $8 million in available funds, nine projects totaling $3.7 million have been awarded grants so far. Jean Ruestman, who administers the program for the Michigan Department of Transportation, says she’s thrilled with the … Continue reading “Michigan Mobility Challenge Awards Funding to Innovation Projects”
Roundup: Accelerate Michigan, Waymark, ACM, Detroit FinTech Bay, More
The holiday season will soon be upon us, but that doesn’t mean work is slowing down in Michigan’s innovation hubs. Here’s a look at recent technology and entrepreneurship news from across the state. —The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, hosted by Invest Detroit’s ID Ventures on Nov. 13, announced the 2018 winners selected from a field … Continue reading “Roundup: Accelerate Michigan, Waymark, ACM, Detroit FinTech Bay, More”
Celsee Charts Expansion Plans as Single-Cell Analysis Demand Grows
The humble cell has been getting a lot of attention in the medical world lately, and Ann Arbor, MI-based biotech startup Celsee wants to make it easier to study them. As precision medicine and genomic analysis become more sophisticated, clinicians are taking biotech research down to the level of single cells in search of breakthroughs … Continue reading “Celsee Charts Expansion Plans as Single-Cell Analysis Demand Grows”
Hold Your Horsepower: For Mobility Industry, “Reality Is Sinking In”
Earlier this month, GM CEO Mary Barra told the crowd at a financial conference that her company was on track to unveil a ridesharing service in 2019 that would be powered by autonomous vehicles. It sounded like pretty big news, but to understand company announcements about the commercial viability of driverless cars, one must first … Continue reading “Hold Your Horsepower: For Mobility Industry, “Reality Is Sinking In””
DriverReach Hopes to Move Trucking Industry Forward with Hiring App
Artificial intelligence and automation are helping legacy industries across the country become more innovative and efficient. An Indianapolis startup called DriverReach is doing just that for the trucking industry, where driver shortages have been plaguing logistics operations, says founder and CEO Jeremy Reymer. He started the company in 2016 to help trucking companies conquer the … Continue reading “DriverReach Hopes to Move Trucking Industry Forward with Hiring App”
Scale Computing Snags $34.8M to Advance “Alternative” IT Platform
Scale Computing, an Indianapolis IT startup serving smaller businesses, distributed enterprises, and retailers around the world, has raised $34.8 million in a Series F funding round. Co-founder and CEO Jeff Ready says technology hardware giant Lenovo was the largest contributor to the round, which included participation from Allos Ventures and unspecified “existing investors.” Since the … Continue reading “Scale Computing Snags $34.8M to Advance “Alternative” IT Platform”
Teraki Using Edge Processing to Meet Exploding Data Demands of AVs
Teraki, a Berlin-based data processing and artificial intelligence company working in the mobility sector, has had a busy fall. In late September, Teraki raised a $3 million seed round from investors including Paladin Capital Group, GPS Ventures GmbH, and Deutsche Telekom’s hub:raum incubator. Earlier this month, the company announced its software would get its first commercial deployment in microcontrollers … Continue reading “Teraki Using Edge Processing to Meet Exploding Data Demands of AVs”