Back in August 2001, the weekend Aaliyah died and a few weeks before 9/11, my friend Andy Smetanka and I became the ultimate superfans. Andy lived in Missoula, Montana, where I spent most of the 1990s getting my college degree. We had become friends as fellow writers on staff at the Missoula Independent. We both … Continue reading “Adventures in Stalking: The Strange But True Tale”
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."
Foodjunky Aims to Take the Pain Out of Ordering Lunch for Meetings
I have so much lunch-ordering shame. Should some poor soul offer to pick up lunch for me, I have to write my order down in such ridiculous detail—veggie sandwich, no sprouts, no cucumbers, light onions, extra banana peppers; if they have vinegar and oil, ask for lots of vinegar but just a splash of oil—that … Continue reading “Foodjunky Aims to Take the Pain Out of Ordering Lunch for Meetings”
Roundup: Covisint Stocks Soar After IPO, Longbow Software Opens U.S. Office in Ann Arbor
It’s been a busy week in Southeast Michigan’s tech scene. Here’s a roundup of some of the recent news: –On Wednesday, Compuware announced the pricing of its initial public offering of shares of Covisint, its wholly owned subsidiary. The offering includes 6.4 million shares, representing approximately 17.6% of its issued and outstanding shares of Covisint. The shares … Continue reading “Roundup: Covisint Stocks Soar After IPO, Longbow Software Opens U.S. Office in Ann Arbor”
Entrepreneur-YOU Competition Showcases Women-Led Startups
On Tuesday, at Walsh College in Troy, MI, fifteen startups led by women competed for $75,000 in venture funding and in-kind support at the second annual Entrepreneur-YOU business plan competition. Huntington Bank, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and the Kellogg Foundation provided the funding, and the panel of judges included Nancy Phillippart, general partner of Belle Michigan; Maria … Continue reading “Entrepreneur-YOU Competition Showcases Women-Led Startups”
Humanitarian Toolbox Cranks Out Open-Source Apps for Disaster Relief
Bill Wagner spent his career building SRT Solutions, a successful software development company based in Ann Arbor, MI, that was recently acquired by Atomic Object. Now, he’s putting his coding skills to use for the benefit of human welfare with a new startup called Humanitarian Toolbox, a global effort led by four co-founders in Michigan, … Continue reading “Humanitarian Toolbox Cranks Out Open-Source Apps for Disaster Relief”
Lavin Lift Strap, Invented for Family, Lightens Load for Caregivers
When Manuel Lavin’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago, his mother was adamant about her desire to keep him at home as long as possible. As the disease progressed, however, his father became combative. Particularly challenging tasks were changing and cleaning him. Lavin’s mother didn’t have the physical strength to lift … Continue reading “Lavin Lift Strap, Invented for Family, Lightens Load for Caregivers”
GM Opens the Doors to Revamped Battery Lab in Warren
This week, General Motors announced it has tripled the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory in Warren, MI. The facility is now the largest North American battery lab owned by a major auto manufacturer. Greg Ross, GM’s director of business development alliances, says that even though wireless connectivity seems to be dominating the conversation … Continue reading “GM Opens the Doors to Revamped Battery Lab in Warren”
Report from Techonomy Detroit: Can Technology Rebuild the Middle Class?
Though members of the so-called middle class weren’t necessarily in the room at yesterday’s Techonomy Detroit conference, they seemed to be on a lot of attendees’ minds. One recurring theme to the day’s programming was the idea of utilizing technology as a democratizing agent to give people better access to education, jobs, government services, and investment … Continue reading “Report from Techonomy Detroit: Can Technology Rebuild the Middle Class?”
Mobile Delivery Platform Zipments Closes $2.2M Seed Round
Zipments, a New York City-based online delivery platform with roots in Grand Rapids, MI, announced yesterday that it has raised $2.25 million in seed funding from a national syndicate of investors, including First Mark Capital, Huron River Ventures, the Windquest Group, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, Chicago Ventures, and Robert Safrata, CEO at … Continue reading “Mobile Delivery Platform Zipments Closes $2.2M Seed Round”
Roundup: LevelEleven Raises $2M, Atomic Object Acquires SRT Solutions
Lots of action in the Southeast Michigan startup world this week: —LevelEleven, the Detroit-based enterprise gamification startup spun out of ePrize, announced this week that it has raised another $2 million in equity financing, bringing the total venture investment in the company up to $3.5 million. Investors in LevelEleven’s latest round include CRM giant Salesforce, … Continue reading “Roundup: LevelEleven Raises $2M, Atomic Object Acquires SRT Solutions”
TruReview: An Online Feedback Process That Can’t Be Faked?
A few years ago, Dwight Zahringer owned a web development company called Trademark Productions in Royal Oak, MI. After Google went mainstream, customers began asking him to “play” in search engine optimization, an Internet marketing strategy that involves manipulating a website’s visibility in search results and its association with particular keywords—positive and negative. “I was … Continue reading “TruReview: An Online Feedback Process That Can’t Be Faked?”
TechTown Open Office Hours
Charlie Moret, TechTown’s managing director of technology-based entrepreneurship, will be on hand to offer his expert advice to tech entrepreneurs on their big idea or how to secure funding, line up resources, make connections, and more. Free and open to anyone in the community, but registration is required; click here.
Xconomy is Looking for Detroit Innovation Champions
In 2010, Xconomy opened its fourth news bureau in Detroit, joining Boston, Seattle, and San Diego. Even though this was a time when record numbers of global media were parachuting into town and writing stories showcasing “ruin porn” and what they deemed as the hopelessness of the Motor City’s plight, Xconomy had a different mission … Continue reading “Xconomy is Looking for Detroit Innovation Champions”
Former Auto, Bomber Plant to Become Connected Vehicle Research Center
A 5 million-square-foot former automotive factory in Ypsilanti Township, MI—the site where Henry Ford perfected his system of producing a new World War II bomber every minute—has taken its first step toward new life as a connected vehicle research center. “This is the next big thing in transportation technology,” says Paul Krutko, president and CEO … Continue reading “Former Auto, Bomber Plant to Become Connected Vehicle Research Center”
Hybra Advance Technology on the Future of Wireless Audio
Ryan Wells and Joe Thiel, co-founders of the Traverse City, MI-based startup Hybra Advance Technology, formed their company in 2009 with the idea to build a business plan around the rapidly growing market for innovative wireless audio devices. “We were discussing what the headsets of the future would look like, how they’d interact [with consumers],” … Continue reading “Hybra Advance Technology on the Future of Wireless Audio”
Toyota Invests $28M in Expansion of Ann Arbor Tech Center
Yesterday, Toyota announced it will invest $28 million in its technical center located in Ann Arbor, MI. The new expansion will support the development of Toyota’s powertrain, specifically in the areas of calibration, evaluation, and design on new engine and transmission projects. Toyota also expects to hire 60 employees; there are currently 999 employees working … Continue reading “Toyota Invests $28M in Expansion of Ann Arbor Tech Center”
Discount Aggregation App Larky Forms Partnership With Blue Cross
When the Ann Arbor, MI-based startup Larky launched its mobile app and website in April, its mission was to aggregate the many discounts offered by alumni associations, stores like Costco, organizations like AAA and AARP, and other groups looking to add value to their memberships. The problem, says co-founder Andrew Bank, was that Larky’s research … Continue reading “Discount Aggregation App Larky Forms Partnership With Blue Cross”
Detroit-based Rapt.fm Opens 24-hour Access; Inks Deals with Rappers
Rapt.fm is a startup based in Detroit, and has created a split-screen Web platform that allows users to engage in freestyle rap battles as Internet audiences watch, chat, and vote for who they like best. Tomorrow, Rapt kicks off its beta launch, having addressed past technical glitches, says Rapt’s co-founder Erik Torenberg. During the site’s … Continue reading “Detroit-based Rapt.fm Opens 24-hour Access; Inks Deals with Rappers”
Small Company Innovation Program Announces Research Partnership Awards
The Michigan Corporate Relations Network (MCRN) has awarded five companies matching grants as part of its Small Company Innovation Program (SCIP). Under the SCIP, small- to medium-sized tech companies looking to speed up commercialization efforts can receive matching funds for research projects at one of the organization’s participating universities: Wayne State University; the University of Michigan; Michigan State University; Michigan … Continue reading “Small Company Innovation Program Announces Research Partnership Awards”
Bamboo Offers “Family” Style Co-Working Space to Detroit Startups
Did you know MSNBC’s popular morning talk show, “Morning Joe,” was broadcasting from the Motor City today? I did, because my father, who lives upstate in Lansing, started sending a barrage of text messages urging me to tune in starting at 6 a.m. Much as I may have wanted to, I couldn’t sit in front … Continue reading “Bamboo Offers “Family” Style Co-Working Space to Detroit Startups”
Relume Technologies Acquired by Revolution Lighting for $15M
Connecticut-based Revolution Lighting Technologies (NASDAQ: RVLT) is paying $15 million in cash and stock to acquire Oxford, MI-based Relume Technologies, a manufacturer of outdoor LED lighting products and smart grid control systems. “Revolution is doing a roll-up in LED lighting, picking up the platforms it doesn’t have,” explains Michael Gross, managing director of Beringea‘s Michigan office … Continue reading “Relume Technologies Acquired by Revolution Lighting for $15M”
AutoHarvest Tapped by New Supply Chain Initiative to Lead Online Component
AutoHarvest, a Southeast Michigan-based nonprofit website that aims to connect the auto industry with entrepreneurs and inventors, announced this week that is has been selected to facilitate the online efforts the new National Supply Chain Network Initiative (NSNI) pilot program, which came out of the Clinton Global Initiative. Other partners in the regional pilot program … Continue reading “AutoHarvest Tapped by New Supply Chain Initiative to Lead Online Component”
Detroit’s Silith.IO Takes Its Mobile Collaboration Tool to Silicon Valley
Brian Clark, co-founder of Silith.IO, is on the adventure of a lifetime. A few weeks ago, he quit his full-time job, sold nearly everything he owned, and headed to San Francisco, his earthly possessions reduced to a suitcase and a laptop. Clark is in the Bay Area officially representing his company at the NewME accelerator, … Continue reading “Detroit’s Silith.IO Takes Its Mobile Collaboration Tool to Silicon Valley”
Stitch Together Your Micro-Videos With One Second Epic
Blame it on our narcissism or our latent desire to be Ansel Adams, but modern humans are crazy for tools that help them document their lives in pictures. But while still images hold incredible appeal, as Instagram’s 130 million active users would surely attest, the latest must-have apps focus on the ability to film and … Continue reading “Stitch Together Your Micro-Videos With One Second Epic”
Roundup: Motozuma Opens Detroit Office, WSU Student Ventures Snag Funding
A few items to catch up on around town: —Motozuma has reportedly opened up an office in Detroit. The Naperville, IL-based startup allows users to set up free online savings accounts where they can put money towards a new car and invite friends and family to help contribute. Motozuma users are rewarded for their savings … Continue reading “Roundup: Motozuma Opens Detroit Office, WSU Student Ventures Snag Funding”
U-M’s TechStart Interns Help Guide University Startups to Market
By day, Mark Maynard is the marketing manager for the University of Michigan’s Office of Technology Transfer. After hours, he dedicates a big chunk of his time to overseeing the university’s TechStart internship program, which is just finishing its 13th year. Each summer, TechStart takes a handful of U-M’s best and brightest graduate students from … Continue reading “U-M’s TechStart Interns Help Guide University Startups to Market”
Ann Arbor’s Kontextual Helps Build Transparent, Metric-Driven Companies
Kurt Skifstad was serving as the entrepreneur-in-residence at RPM Ventures when an angel investor brought a new enterprise technology platform called Kontextual to Skifstad’s attention and asked for his input on whether he thought it was a worthwhile investment. “What [Kontextual] had was really interesting, but not ready to go to market,” he explains. Skifstad … Continue reading “Ann Arbor’s Kontextual Helps Build Transparent, Metric-Driven Companies”
Talking TechTown’s Reboot, Detroit’s Robustness With Charlie Moret
Charlie Moret, the TechTown business incubator’s new managing director of technology-based entrepreneurship, says he’s a lifelong “intrapreneur.” His passion has always been innovating, but he’s often been doing it from inside a broader organization. That’s a major reason why, when given the opportunity to reboot TechTown’s programs and take them back to their high-technology roots, … Continue reading “Talking TechTown’s Reboot, Detroit’s Robustness With Charlie Moret”
Wayne State University Breaks Ground on Advanced Technology Education Center
Late last month, Wayne State University broke ground on a new Advanced Technology Education Center (ATEC) in Warren, MI. It’s one of three new facilities Wayne State has planned in Macomb County. The 40,000-square-foot facility will offer programs focused primarily on engineering, computer science, supply chain management, and advanced manufacturing complementary to industries already located … Continue reading “Wayne State University Breaks Ground on Advanced Technology Education Center”
Detroit’s Igniteless Courted by TV, Nears Finals in Walmart Contest
We published an article in July about Orlando Robinson, a Detroit entrepreneur who has used tragedies that have affected his family and community as the inspiration to create life-saving inventions. Igniteless, Robinson’s latest invention, is a smoke alarm that can send a radio-transmitted signal to turn off an unattended stove if food starts burning before a … Continue reading “Detroit’s Igniteless Courted by TV, Nears Finals in Walmart Contest”
Saturday Event is Culmination of Niantic Labs’ Fascination with Detroit
John Hanke used to run Keyhole, the company whose 3D map browser became Google Earth, and then he led Google’s Geo team, refining location-based products for the tech giant. Then, a few years ago, Hanke went to Google founder Larry Page and told him he was thinking of leaving the company to work on a … Continue reading “Saturday Event is Culmination of Niantic Labs’ Fascination with Detroit”
Detroit’s Grand Circus Wants to Nurture Local Community’s Tech Talent
Part technology, business, and design training institute; part co-working space; and part event space, Grand Circus is the Quicken Loans family’s newest tool in Detroit to “elevate the tech profile of the community,” says co-founder Brad Hoos. It’s widely acknowledged that there’s a huge shortage of developer talent in Detroit, and Grand Circus’s organizers want … Continue reading “Detroit’s Grand Circus Wants to Nurture Local Community’s Tech Talent”
Sidecar Co-Founder Fortino on Why He Chose to Invest in Detroit
Adrian Fortino caught the startup bug early, not long after earning two degrees from the University of Michigan. He had been working at the Van Buren Township, MI-based global engineering giant Ricardo when he jumped into his first go-around with entrepreneurship. “It quickly failed,” Fortino admits. “But after that, I couldn’t go back to corporate … Continue reading “Sidecar Co-Founder Fortino on Why He Chose to Invest in Detroit”
HiredMyWay Shifts Model to Serve Employers Instead of Job Seekers
When we last caught up with the Detroit-based startup HiredMyWay in April 2012, CEO Matt Mosher said the company had roughly 20,000 job seekers paying a premium to guarantee that their resumes would be read by hiring manager. The company also had plans to expand into five additional markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, … Continue reading “HiredMyWay Shifts Model to Serve Employers Instead of Job Seekers”
BizGrid Details Resources for Detroit Entrepreneurs
This week, the Detroit Business Support Network released the BizGrid, a resource for Motor City entrepreneurs who may be unsure of where to turn for support. Billed as an “infographic,” the BizGrid is a 9-by-27 ½-inch chart with an eye-catching design that serves as a sort of map to the different resources available to local … Continue reading “BizGrid Details Resources for Detroit Entrepreneurs”
Flud Co-Founder Says News Platform Is Closing Down Aug. 8
Flud co-founder and CEO Bobby Ghoshal sent an e-mail around to users and supporters yesterday announcing that the company had decided to “wind down” operations. Starting Aug. 8, Flud’s social news aggregation platform will no longer be in service. In the e-mail, Ghoshal wrote, “Flud managed to capture the hearts of millions of you all … Continue reading “Flud Co-Founder Says News Platform Is Closing Down Aug. 8”
GM, Honda Detail Long-Term Fuel Cell Co-Development Strategy
Earlier this month, GM and Honda announced they are embarking on a long-term agreement to co-develop next-generation fuel cell technologies and infrastructure, with the goal of driving the technology forward faster. The target date the automakers are shooting for is 2020. “We’re working together to innovate and drive costs down,” says Charles Freese, GM’s executive … Continue reading “GM, Honda Detail Long-Term Fuel Cell Co-Development Strategy”
U-M Startup TurtleCell Offers Solution to Tangled iPhone Earbuds
Those of us who can scarcely leave the house without our headphones firmly anchored in our ears all have the same problem: perpetually tangled cords. TurtleCell, a startup based in Ann Arbor, MI, believes it has the solution. TurtleCell has designed an iPhone case with headphones embedded inside on a retractable cord, which means there … Continue reading “U-M Startup TurtleCell Offers Solution to Tangled iPhone Earbuds”
Commentary: Bankruptcy Won’t Stop Detroit’s Innovative Entrepreneurs
On Wednesday, the city of Detroit celebrated its 312th birthday. Incidentally, that makes it older than the United States itself by 75 years. A city doesn’t endure for more than three hundred years (and sometimes thrive, lest we forget the 20th century) without a little grit, a lot of innovation, and an abundance of the … Continue reading “Commentary: Bankruptcy Won’t Stop Detroit’s Innovative Entrepreneurs”
Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $1.5M in Six Startups
The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund announced this week that it has invested $1.5 million in six early-stage tech startups: AutoBike, AlertWatch, BEET Analytics Technology, IROA Technologies, Patient Provider Communications, and TM3 Systems. To date, the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund has invested $20 million in 89 Michigan companies. Ann Arbor SPARK acts as the fund’s administrator. About the companies receiving investment: —AutoBike, based in … Continue reading “Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $1.5M in Six Startups”
U-M Announces New Heads of Zell Lurie Institute, Center for Entrepreneurship
This week marks a changing of the guard for two key entrepreneurship programs at the University of Michigan. The Ross School of Business announced that Stewart Thornhill will replace the retiring Tom Kinnear as executive director of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, one of the oldest and highest ranked university entrepreneurial programs in … Continue reading “U-M Announces New Heads of Zell Lurie Institute, Center for Entrepreneurship”
Michigan Angel Fund Makes First Investment in BioPhotonics
The Michigan Angel Fund (MAF), a new 70-member angel investing group managed by Ann Arbor SPARK, announced it has made its first investment—in East Lansing-based BioPhotonics Solutions. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. The MAF, a $2 million professionally managed equity fund formed last year, is the largest angel organization in Michigan. BioPhotonics Solutions is … Continue reading “Michigan Angel Fund Makes First Investment in BioPhotonics”
MI Biotech Roundup: Rockwell, Metabolic Solutions Publish New Data
—Rockwell Medical, based in Wixom, MI, last week announced successful results from its Phase 3 trials of Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP), an iron salt administered to dialysis patients through dialysate to replace the iron lost during dialysis. The data showed that in dialysis patients not receiving IV iron, SFP effectively delivers iron via dialysate and maintains … Continue reading “MI Biotech Roundup: Rockwell, Metabolic Solutions Publish New Data”
Whole Foods Commits $1M to Grameen America for Detroit Microlending Program
As part of Texas-based Whole Foods’ investment in Detroit, its Whole Planet Foundation has committed $1 million to the microfinance organization Grameen America to assist Detroit entrepreneurs. Grameen America, which was founded by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, is a domestic microfinance nonprofit assisting women in poverty and operating in New York City (its … Continue reading “Whole Foods Commits $1M to Grameen America for Detroit Microlending Program”
Detroit’s UpTo Pivots, Completes a $2 Million Series A Round
UpTo, the Detroit-based startup that launched a social calendar app last year, announced last week that is has completed a $2 million Series A round and has pivoted to add new features as well as a business-to-business component. “UpTo is now a full calendar with social networking instead of the other way around,” says founder … Continue reading “Detroit’s UpTo Pivots, Completes a $2 Million Series A Round”
State Officials, Entrepreneurs Sell Michigan to National Media
On Friday, MLive reported that Xconomist Mike Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Detroit Venture Partners‘ Jake Cohen, and Rick DeVos, heir to the Amway fortune and founder of Start Garden, traveled to New York City to sell the story of Michigan’s comeback to reporters from national outlets such as the … Continue reading “State Officials, Entrepreneurs Sell Michigan to National Media”
Michigan eLibrary Offers Free Online Resources for Entrepreneurs
As the recession continues to recede in Michigan and entrepreneurial culture takes root, businesses now have a new set of free tools to help create a competitive advantage. The State Library of Michigan; Gale, the Farmington Hills, MI-based publisher of research and reference resources that is part of Cengage Learning; and CIVICTechnologies, an analytics and market … Continue reading “Michigan eLibrary Offers Free Online Resources for Entrepreneurs”
NIH Award Will Help Phrixus Pharmaceuticals Advance to Clinical Trials
University of Michigan spinoff Phrixus Pharmaceuticals has won an award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that will help the company advance to clinical trials for Carmeseal-MD, its developmental drug to treat cardiac and respiratory problems in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Thomas Collet, Phrixus’ president and CEO, says the company will receive approximately $2.5 … Continue reading “NIH Award Will Help Phrixus Pharmaceuticals Advance to Clinical Trials”
ArborMetrix Platform Selected by MI Breast Oncology Quality Initiative
ArborMetrix, the Ann Arbor-based startup that aims to “filter the noise” out of the statistical approach to healthcare, says its cloud-based platform will replace the current platform used by the Michigan Breast Oncology Initiative (MiBOQI). The 26-hospital Collaborative Quality Initiative (CQI) will implement ArborMetrix’s technology to improve quality, safety, outcomes, and effectiveness of breast cancer treatment across Michigan. Blue … Continue reading “ArborMetrix Platform Selected by MI Breast Oncology Quality Initiative”
NextEnergy Awards $10K to Two Advanced Energy Companies
NextEnergy, a Detroit-based non-profit dedicated to incubating advanced energy technology, announced last week that it has awarded $10,000 in Advanced Energy Innovation awards to two southeast Michigan companies, Inmatech and Arborlight. The awards were presented last month during the Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest event. Inmatech, based in Ann Arbor, is a startup focused on developing new … Continue reading “NextEnergy Awards $10K to Two Advanced Energy Companies”