Back in the 1970s, a nonfiction book called “The Secret Life of Plants” took the world by storm. Both my mother and grandmother owned a copy, and being a child with a voracious appetite for books, I took a peek inside. The book described the emotional and spiritual inner life of plants and recommended ways … Continue reading “New DIY Kit from Backyard Brains Tests Plant Behavior, Communication”
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."
As Cryptocurrencies Grow, Mutual Coin Hedge Fund Guides Investors
Way back in 2012, we published a story about Usman Majeed, a young entrepreneur running an electronics reseller business called Tech Twurl out of his Michigan State University dorm room. He graduated with a computer science degree in 2015 and shut down Tech Twurl soon after, but the desire to run his own company remained. … Continue reading “As Cryptocurrencies Grow, Mutual Coin Hedge Fund Guides Investors”
After Raising $27M, Ouster to Plans Mass Manufacture of LiDAR Units
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is one of the most important technologies underpinning the development of driverless cars. LiDAR systems feed raw sensor data to the car’s brain, creating a 3D picture of the surrounding environment and enabling autonomous vehicles to navigate it. But LiDAR has also been controversial because it’s expensive, sometimes fallible, and … Continue reading “After Raising $27M, Ouster to Plans Mass Manufacture of LiDAR Units”
What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?
Whether you think self-driving cars are the stuff of science fiction or a potentially paradigm-shifting new form of transportation, autonomous vehicles are coming—and the companies developing them are spending big money to make it happen. A few years ago, industry analysts seemed to think Silicon Valley would win the race to get self-driving cars on … Continue reading “What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?”
U-M’s MADE Program Aims to Train Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations
This week, the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Institute announced a new program called Michigan Academy for the Development of Entrepreneurs (MADE), which aims to help business owners in developing nations to grow and thrive. The program, which has been established in partnership with the William Davidson Institute and Aparajitha Foundations, will work with local … Continue reading “U-M’s MADE Program Aims to Train Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations”
Case’s $150M Rise of the Rest Fund Aims to Boost Flyover Startups
Author, investor, and AOL co-founder Steve Case today announced a new $150 million venture fund aimed at pumping investment capital into tech companies in so-called flyover states. Contributing to the fund is an impressive group of some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. Called the Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, it will … Continue reading “Case’s $150M Rise of the Rest Fund Aims to Boost Flyover Startups”
Genesis Innovation Group’s New $10M Fund Focuses on Later-Stage Deals
Genesis Innovation Group, a Holland, MI-based collective of venture investors focused on early-stage medical device startups, is raising a new $10 million fund called Cultivate(MD) Capital Fund I. Genesis is not the typical venture capital firm. In an interview earlier this year, CEO Rob Ball said it’s a consulting group consisting of accredited private investors … Continue reading “Genesis Innovation Group’s New $10M Fund Focuses on Later-Stage Deals”
R.I.P. TechShop: Makerspace Closes All U.S. Locations Due to Bankruptcy
On Oct. 30, I received the usual weekly email from TechShop, the makerspace just outside of Detroit in Allen Park, MI, informing me of upcoming events and membership deals. Just two weeks later, an email from TechShop CEO Dan Woods hit my inbox announcing that all 10 wholly owned locations in the U.S. would shut … Continue reading “R.I.P. TechShop: Makerspace Closes All U.S. Locations Due to Bankruptcy”
Selocial Allows Fans and Bands to Discover, Publicize Indie Music
David “Stock” Baird is a songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur who spends a lot of time thinking of new and better ways for independent musicians to get paid for their work. He found a way to connect his passions by creating Selocial, a social network and music discovery tool that went live earlier this month. It … Continue reading “Selocial Allows Fans and Bands to Discover, Publicize Indie Music”
After Successful Pilot, Apprenti Expands Tech Training Program
Those of us who keep tabs on the tech world hear a lot about the challenges of hiring and retaining IT talent. According to a forecast by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1.3 million new computer programming and computer support specialist jobs will be created across the country by 2022, and as businesses … Continue reading “After Successful Pilot, Apprenti Expands Tech Training Program”
Genomenon Creates Automated, Evidence-Based Cancer Gene Panel
Genomenon, a University of Michigan spinout developing analytics and data visualization software for the genomics industry, last week announced it has created an evidence-based cancer gene panel using automated machine learning techniques. Gene panels are used by clinicians to analyze mutations in patient samples. Genomenon’s panel was produced using its software tool, the Mastermind Genomic … Continue reading “Genomenon Creates Automated, Evidence-Based Cancer Gene Panel”
U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize
Midtown Detroit hosted two events this week that are among the biggest in the Southeast Michigan startup community: the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s annual awards gala, and the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, where 36 early-stage tech companies competed for nearly $1 million in cash and prizes, including a $500,000 grand prize. Although both events have … Continue reading “U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize”
After Quadrupling in Size, Lessonly Raises $8M Series B
Lessonly, the Indianapolis-based startup focused on team training software, this week announced it has raised an $8 million Series B funding round. Led by Boston’s OpenView Partners, the round also drew contributions from Rethink Education, High Alpha Capital, and Allos Ventures. Max Yoder, Lessonly CEO and co-founder, says the company has quadrupled in size over … Continue reading “After Quadrupling in Size, Lessonly Raises $8M Series B”
Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up
When automotive supplier Delphi forked over approximately $450 million to buy Boston-based software startup NuTonomy last month, it was the latest in a spate of high-dollar acquisitions involving companies that develop self-driving technologies. NuTonomy, founded by MIT researchers, was only four years old and had raised $16 million in a Series A round the previous … Continue reading “Self-Driving Stampede: Why Mobility Startup Prices Keep Going Up”
Is Co-Working Played Out? Bamboo Detroit Report Shows Otherwise
Co-working spaces may be old hat in places like San Francisco and Boston, but in Detroit, they can be a vital gateway into the local startup ecosystem—particularly for women and people of color. That’s one of the takeaways from a new report released by Bamboo Detroit, the city’s first co-working space located in the heart … Continue reading “Is Co-Working Played Out? Bamboo Detroit Report Shows Otherwise”
At New Penn Foster Gig, Stefanski Tackles the “No Good Jobs” Myth
While it may seem like those without a college degree have few good options in an increasingly tech- and services-oriented economy, a new report finds more than 30 million “good jobs” in the U.S. that pay at least $35,000 per year and can be had without a college diploma—and the right set of skills. But many people … Continue reading “At New Penn Foster Gig, Stefanski Tackles the “No Good Jobs” Myth”
Cheddar Is on a Mission to Help Software Developers Monetize Faster
It’s a tale as old as tech startups: A software developer creates a new app that she’s convinced will take the world by storm. The only problem? She has no idea how to monetize her brilliant creation. A startup based in Bloomington, IN, called Cheddar aims to solve that problem by changing the way developers … Continue reading “Cheddar Is on a Mission to Help Software Developers Monetize Faster”
WSU’s New Innovation Hub Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship, Engagement
David Tarver is many things: a former telecom engineer with Bell Labs who left to start his own born-in-the-basement company that later sold for $30 million, author of the book “Proving Ground,” founder of the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative, a University of Michigan professor, and all-around booster and mentor for Southeast Michigan’s startup ecosystem. In July, he took … Continue reading “WSU’s New Innovation Hub Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship, Engagement”
Lunar Aims to Offer Budget Phone Service, Premium User Experience
Most of us can’t imagine going back to a time without smartphones. Having an Internet-enabled phone on one’s person makes life easier, and many of us would feel a bit naked without one. Paying for them, however, is another matter. The prices keep going up as the phones get more sophisticated, and with myriad fees … Continue reading “Lunar Aims to Offer Budget Phone Service, Premium User Experience”
With $11M in New Funding, Mcity Looks Ahead to 2018 and Beyond
Mcity, the autonomous vehicle research center on the University of Michigan campus, announced this week that it has raised $11 million in new funding from 11 industry partners. (See list below.) These partners help Mcity identify opportunities as well as the challenges in bringing them to fruition, and weigh in on the direction of the … Continue reading “With $11M in New Funding, Mcity Looks Ahead to 2018 and Beyond”
Indiana’s Open Data Hub Allows Public to Address State’s Challenges
Municipalities and state governments tend to generate reams of data pertaining to their residents. However, trying to peel back the layers of bureaucratic red tape to reveal something meaningful from government datasets has been a longstanding challenge throughout the country. Government IT departments are often hampered by outdated technology and cumbersome chains of command, but … Continue reading “Indiana’s Open Data Hub Allows Public to Address State’s Challenges”
Ash & Erie Make a Splash on Shark Tank, Score Deal with Mark Cuban
As Venture for America prepares to host a demo day event in Detroit later this month, two entrepreneurs who met as part of the VFA program recently made a splash on Shark Tank, the ABC reality show that features young companies pitching celebrated investors for growth capital. We caught up with Steven Mazur, co-founder of … Continue reading “Ash & Erie Make a Splash on Shark Tank, Score Deal with Mark Cuban”
Clinc’s A.I. Goes Global in Deal with Turkey’s Largest Private Bank
It has been a busy year for Clinc, the fintech startup based in Ann Arbor, MI. The company, which has developed a conversational artificial intelligence platform for financial institutions called Finie, has raised more than $6 million in a Series A round; embarked on a successful pilot project with USAA, the bank serving members of … Continue reading “Clinc’s A.I. Goes Global in Deal with Turkey’s Largest Private Bank”
South Bend Code School Helps Get Underserved Kids on Career Path
A few years ago, Alexandra Liggins was a student at Notre Dame studying English and taking pre-med courses. When she began tutoring local high school students in South Bend, IN, she was disheartened by the number of kids who believed that if they weren’t on the path to college, they didn’t have many future job … Continue reading “South Bend Code School Helps Get Underserved Kids on Career Path”
Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More
It has been a busy fall in Michigan, full of local tech and innovation news. Here’s a look at some of the recent announcements: —Earlier this month, TechTown Detroit hosted the Toast of the Town event to honor winners of its Salute awards, which recognize the best and brightest in the local startup ecosystem. The … Continue reading “Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More”
Occipital Acquires Paracosm, Plans Collaborative 3D Mapping Projects
Occipital, the spatial computing company based in San Francisco and Boulder, CO, announced this week that it has acquired Paracosm, a Gainesville, FL company developing 3D mapping technology. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Paracosm’s entire team of 13 people, which will remain in Florida, has been absorbed by Occipital. Adam Rodnitzky, … Continue reading “Occipital Acquires Paracosm, Plans Collaborative 3D Mapping Projects”
After Natural Disasters, Bluelock Helps Companies Recover Their Data
When hurricanes and other natural disasters strike, buildings and other physical structures aren’t the only things at risk of being destroyed. Crucial data and IT infrastructure can also be lost as a result of inclement weather, and a sector called “disaster-recovery-as-a-service” (DRaaS) has emerged, along with new cloud-based tools, to help mitigate the damage. Indianapolis-based … Continue reading “After Natural Disasters, Bluelock Helps Companies Recover Their Data”
Techstars Mobility Event: Detroit’s Momentum Clear as Startups Shine
Eleven startups that spent the summer working in the Techstars Mobility accelerator program took to the stage to pitch their technologies to a packed house of investors, entrepreneurs, media, and other stakeholders at the Detroit Film Theatre Wednesday. According to Techstars, this demo day event is the world’s largest of its kind. Each company was introduced by … Continue reading “Techstars Mobility Event: Detroit’s Momentum Clear as Startups Shine”
Ann Arbor Unicorn: After $70M Series D, Duo Security Valued at $1.1B
[Updated at 1:05 p.m. on 10/17/2017 to add comments from Duo CEO Dug Song; see below.] Ann Arbor, MI-based cybersecurity startup Duo Security today announced that it has closed on a Series D financing round valued at $70 million, bringing the company’s total valuation to $1.17 billion just seven years after its inception. According to … Continue reading “Ann Arbor Unicorn: After $70M Series D, Duo Security Valued at $1.1B”
ACM Partners with Academic Consortium to Train Mobility Workforce
As autonomous vehicles get closer to reality, several pressing issues loom on the workforce front. The development of self-driving cars requires specialized skills that are currently in shortage across the country. It’s also expected that certain professions will be disrupted by autonomous vehicles, and, as a result, those workers will soon need a new career … Continue reading “ACM Partners with Academic Consortium to Train Mobility Workforce”
250ok Raises $2.6M Series A, Plans to Expand E-mail Management Tech
E-mail is ubiquitous to modern corporate life, but despite its popularity, it’s not always an effective way to communicate. Between automated inbox filters that barely work, productivity-killing overload, and suspicious communications sent by malicious actors, e-mail can be a potential minefield without the proper visibility into how it’s functioning. That’s the premise behind Indianapolis-based 250ok, … Continue reading “250ok Raises $2.6M Series A, Plans to Expand E-mail Management Tech”
Phrixus to Launch Clinical Trials for Duchenne Drug in Early 2018
After showing some early promise in treating European patients, Ann Arbor, MI-based Phrixus Pharmaceuticals, a startup developing drugs to treat cardiac and respiratory problems in young males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is preparing to launch U.S. clinical trials early next year. During the first quarter of 2018, Phrixus will dose the first patient with its … Continue reading “Phrixus to Launch Clinical Trials for Duchenne Drug in Early 2018”
Case’s Advice to Entrepreneurs? Persevere, Support Local Networks
Michigan’s tech startup ecosystem has come a very long way in the past decade—a recent report in Engadget took a fair, comprehensive look—but still lacks a few key ingredients, like a culture that embraces failure and entrepreneurial leaders who aggressively work to create a welcoming, collaborative community. Those were some of the takeaways from yesterday’s … Continue reading “Case’s Advice to Entrepreneurs? Persevere, Support Local Networks”
Detroit Workspace Aims to Connect Mobility Startups, Auto Industry
Many tech companies are feverishly working to develop self-driving cars and other mobility-related innovations, but that’s only the first step. Once startups have a prototype or working concept, the next step is introducing it to the region’s automotive ecosystem—a complicated web of proprietary projects, collaborations, and legacy relationships that can seem impenetrable to outsiders. A … Continue reading “Detroit Workspace Aims to Connect Mobility Startups, Auto Industry”
Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Shines Spotlight on Emerging Tech Hubs
Steve Case, venture capitalist, author, and co-founder of AOL, is preparing to hit the road this week on his sixth Rise of the Rest tour, where he travels to emerging innovation hubs in search of investment-worthy tech startups and to highlight the growth happening outside of places like Silicon Valley and Boston. In the years … Continue reading “Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Shines Spotlight on Emerging Tech Hubs”
Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation Aims to Get Ideas to Market
The Indiana University School of Medicine is the largest in the country, producing more doctors each year than any other American university. IU is also home to an estimated 900 scientist-researchers. What IU didn’t have, until recently, was a central place in which to anchor a medtech ecosystem and help get innovations from faculty and … Continue reading “Indiana Center for Biomedical Innovation Aims to Get Ideas to Market”
Strata Oncology, UCSF Partner to Offer $25M in Free Tumor Sequencing
Ann Arbor, MI-based Strata Oncology this week announced a new partnership with the University of California, San Francisco, to provide $25 million in free tumor sequencing nationwide for men with metastatic prostate cancer. Called StratifyProstate, the initiative aims to dramatically increase enrollment in relevant precision medicine trials, says Strata CEO Dan Rhodes. Despite the significant promise … Continue reading “Strata Oncology, UCSF Partner to Offer $25M in Free Tumor Sequencing”
Could Behavioral Finance Play a Role in Boosting Our Economic Health?
Times are a bit bleak in these United States. Between mass shootings, hurricanes, political turmoil, a resurgent white supremacist movement, threats of a nuclear showdown with North Korea, massive consumer data breaches, and uncertainty over immigration, healthcare, and other major domestic policies, it has not been an easy year for many of us. The resulting … Continue reading “Could Behavioral Finance Play a Role in Boosting Our Economic Health?”
New Ford Engagement Center to Focus on STEAM Skills, Economic Growth
In 2015, the first Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) opened in Southwest Detroit to provide a place outside of the downtown area for people to learn new skills and develop new talents. A heavy focus was put on programs that involved STEAM—that’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) plus an “A” for arts—and economic … Continue reading “New Ford Engagement Center to Focus on STEAM Skills, Economic Growth”
Roundup: Kyyba Pitch Club, Hygieia, W. Michigan Startup Data & More
Here’s a look at startup news, business competition deadlines, new products, and more from around Michigan’s tech ecosystem: —Detroit’s WeWork location will host UPS’s X-Port Challenge, where startups can pitch their products or solutions and win up to $10,000 in export shipping credits. Each regional winner will then have the opportunity to participate in a … Continue reading “Roundup: Kyyba Pitch Club, Hygieia, W. Michigan Startup Data & More”
As Self-Driving Car Partnerships Multiply, Ford and Lyft Join Forces
For most of its existence, the automotive industry has been secretive, siloed, and steeped in cut-throat competition. However, as autonomous vehicle collaborations proliferate, the old-school approach is quickly falling by the wayside. That was evident in a pair of blog posts published late Tuesday that spelled out a new partnership between Ford and San Francisco-based … Continue reading “As Self-Driving Car Partnerships Multiply, Ford and Lyft Join Forces”
CarePRN App Helps Families Find Home Health Workers, Avoid Burnout
On November 15, 2014, my life was turned upside down—but that was nothing compared to what my father was going through. That day, he woke up from back surgery with terrifying hallucinations, and started showing signs of psychosis and paranoia that didn’t go away. Instead, it got worse. As he bounced back and forth between … Continue reading “CarePRN App Helps Families Find Home Health Workers, Avoid Burnout”
Ushr, Spun Out of GeoDigital, Pursues Piece of Autonomous Vehicle Pie
Ushr, a Livonia, MI-based company making high-definition mapping software for autonomous vehicle applications, announced last week that it has raised $10 million in a Series A round. The investment was led by Forte Ventures, with participation from EnerTech Capital, Emerald Technology Ventures, and GM Ventures. Ushr was spun out of a 20-year-old venture called GeoDigital, … Continue reading “Ushr, Spun Out of GeoDigital, Pursues Piece of Autonomous Vehicle Pie”
Would a Binational Detroit-Windsor Amazon HQ2 Bid Be a Game-Changer?
Just about all of North America has been abuzz over Amazon’s search for a second headquarters. Dubbed HQ2, the project is expected to bring billions in investment capital to the winner, along with up to 50,000 jobs. Like virtually every major city in America, Detroit is planning to toss its hat into the ring. But unlike … Continue reading “Would a Binational Detroit-Windsor Amazon HQ2 Bid Be a Game-Changer?”
Humatics, $18M Richer, Aims to Equip Robots with Microlocation Tech
A Boston-area robotics firm is starting to make its first big moves. Cambridge, MA-based “microlocation” startup Humatics announced this week it has completed an $18 million Series A funding round. Detroit-based Fontinalis Partners led the investment, with participation from Airbus Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Intact Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Presidio Ventures, Blue Ivy Ventures, and others. … Continue reading “Humatics, $18M Richer, Aims to Equip Robots with Microlocation Tech”
Costello’s A.I.-Driven Software Aims to Improve Sales Rep Performance
Artificial intelligence technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, remaking everything from vehicles to video games. An Indianapolis startup called Costello, armed with $1 million in investment capital, is launching this month to bring A.I. to deal management software, which the company says will help to better prepare sales reps while also offering managers increased … Continue reading “Costello’s A.I.-Driven Software Aims to Improve Sales Rep Performance”
Pitch.me Allows Salespeople to Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is
Jackson, MI, is a city of roughly 35,000 people situated 40 miles west of Ann Arbor. It’s known for a few things: It was the birthplace of the Republican Party; a center of automotive manufacturing before Detroit became dominant; and the location of Michigan’s first Coney Island restaurant. What Jackson is not, usually, is a … Continue reading “Pitch.me Allows Salespeople to Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is”
GM, Ford, BAE Systems Up the Self-Driving Ante with New Advances
Things are moving quickly in the mobility sector as the race to develop autonomous vehicle technologies revs up. This week brought a spate of mobility news from GM and Cruise, Ford, BAE, and even the federal government. Read on for details. —The Detroit News published a detailed report this week regarding Ford’s Silicon Valley lab, … Continue reading “GM, Ford, BAE Systems Up the Self-Driving Ante with New Advances”
Akadeum Scores $1.5M to Advance Microbubble Cell-Sorting Technology
Akadeum Life Sciences, a cell-sorting startup based in Ann Arbor, MI, has raised nearly $1.5 million in new capital from a mix of Midwestern and Silicon Valley investors. The round was led by Belmont, CA’s BioInfleXion Point Partners, with contributions from 5 Prime Ventures, the University of Michigan’s MINTS program, Invest Detroit, eLab Ventures, and … Continue reading “Akadeum Scores $1.5M to Advance Microbubble Cell-Sorting Technology”
Tome, Trek Collaborate on Using A.I. to Avoid Bike-Vehicle Collisions
After Jake Sigal’s first startup, Livio, was acquired by Ford in 2013, he knew he wanted to stay in the realm of connected cars with his next venture. At the time of acquisition, Sigal’s company was developing software to enable in-vehicle connectivity, the infotainment-heavy roots of today’s autonomous vehicle innovations. Back then, he saw that … Continue reading “Tome, Trek Collaborate on Using A.I. to Avoid Bike-Vehicle Collisions”