[Correction, 9/7/17, 11:45 a.m. See below.] Kronos, a Lowell, MA-based company focused on workforce management software and services, has operations across the world. It serves customers in more than 100 countries, raking in over a billion dollars in revenue annually. So it might be surprising that, according to chief services officer and senior vice president … Continue reading “Time Zones Matter: Why Kronos Opened an Indy Tech Center”
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."
Sahi Cosmetics Offers Science-Backed Products for Olive Skin Tones
Shelly Sahi, founder and CEO of Sahi Cosmetics, thought she wanted to be a doctor. It wasn’t until she finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan that she realized how burnt out she was—and that a career in the medical field was actually her parents’ dream, not hers. “I discovered entrepreneurship later because … Continue reading “Sahi Cosmetics Offers Science-Backed Products for Olive Skin Tones”
U-M Life Sci Institute Looks Ahead with $150M Initiative, Symposium
The University of Michigan’s Life Sciences Institute (LSI) is hosting its 16th annual Saltiel Life Sciences Symposium later this month, and for the first time, rather than focusing on a narrow segment of the industry, the lineup of speakers will discuss the technologies behind some of the sector’s most exciting recent innovations. “Alan [Saltiel] started … Continue reading “U-M Life Sci Institute Looks Ahead with $150M Initiative, Symposium”
Bee Corp. Closes on Series A Funding for Hive-Monitoring Software
Bloomington, IN-based agtech startup the Bee Corp. announced this week that it has closed on a Series A investment led by Village Ventures’ Jane Martin. Elevate Ventures, High Alpha’s Scott Dorsey, and angel investors also contributed to the round. Wyatt Wells, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Bee Corp., declined to discuss financial details of … Continue reading “Bee Corp. Closes on Series A Funding for Hive-Monitoring Software”
NYT on Neurable’s Brain-Controlled Virtual Reality Game: It Works
When Neurable first popped up on Xconomy’s radar in late 2015, it was a small, mostly student-led University of Michigan spinout working on cutting-edge brain-computer interface innovations that would allow people to control software using only their thoughts. Back then, it sounded exciting yet fairly far out. However, a lot has changed since. Today, Neurable is … Continue reading “NYT on Neurable’s Brain-Controlled Virtual Reality Game: It Works”
GoKid App Helps Busy Parents Connect and Share Carpooling Duties
GoKid, the carpooling app startup that went through the Techstars Mobility accelerator program in Detroit last summer, today unveiled a new enterprise version of its product for schools called GoKid Connect. Based in the Motor City and New York City, GoKid is a mobile tool that allows parents to create and manage carpooling schedules. Parents … Continue reading “GoKid App Helps Busy Parents Connect and Share Carpooling Duties”
LinkedIn Opens Downtown Detroit Office, Starts Search for Employees
It never fails: Every time we briefly close the Xconomy Detroit/Ann Arbor office to take a vacation, an important piece of local tech news hits. This time around, LinkedIn, the social media site primarily used for professional networking and resume-sharing, announced it is opening a Detroit office—the company’s first new office in 10 years. Last … Continue reading “LinkedIn Opens Downtown Detroit Office, Starts Search for Employees”
After Y Combinator, May Mobility Ready to Test Self-Driving Fleets
[Corrected, 10:16 am. See below] There has been a lot of speculation about what Ann Arbor, MI-based May Mobility has been up to since the company began working in stealth mode early this year. The new company has to do with autonomous vehicles—one of the hottest fields in tech—but until this week its website revealed … Continue reading “After Y Combinator, May Mobility Ready to Test Self-Driving Fleets”
Roundup: Grand Circus, STEM Initiatives, and a Lot of Cybersecurity
—Grand Circus, the coding school with campuses in downtown Detroit and Grand Rapids, is partnering with Facebook to offer a front-end developer bootcamp in October. The training course will combine Grand Circus’ front-end curriculum with React, an open-source JavaScript platform. Successful applicants will receive full scholarships and training in HTML5/CSS3, JavaSript, jQuery, React, Node.js, NPM, AJAX, … Continue reading “Roundup: Grand Circus, STEM Initiatives, and a Lot of Cybersecurity”
U-M Impact Challenge Students Collaborate with Detroit Entrepreneurs
The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is a proponent of action-based learning, and of business being a force for positive change in the world. Those two philosophies combine this week for U-M’s annual Impact Challenge, where all 422 incoming graduate students spend four days in Detroit collaborating with local entrepreneurs. Organized by U-M’s … Continue reading “U-M Impact Challenge Students Collaborate with Detroit Entrepreneurs”
120WaterAudit Brings Data Visualization to Contaminant Testing
In most of America, people expect clean, drinkable water to pour from the tap. However, there are deep cracks emerging in the nation’s aging water infrastructure, and the Trump administration’s Environment Protection Agency has been quietly working to “roll back” clean water protections in favor of industry priorities. Municipalities with tight budgets risk making disastrous … Continue reading “120WaterAudit Brings Data Visualization to Contaminant Testing”
Genesis Innovation Raises $1.1M to Invest in Medical Device Startups
Holland, MI-based Genesis Innovation Group announced early this month that it has raised $1.1 million in capital to invest in new medical device technologies. Since its 2013 inception, Genesis has raised a total of $2.3 million. Genesis is not a traditional venture capital firm, says co-founder and CEO Rob Ball. Instead, it’s a consulting group … Continue reading “Genesis Innovation Raises $1.1M to Invest in Medical Device Startups”
Care Convene Aims to Make Telemedicine as User-Friendly as Facebook
Jefferey VanWingen is a family doctor who has been practicing medicine for 17 years. Although he’s based in Grand Rapids, MI, he’s also been taking medical missions to India for the past decade. It’s always been his goal to use technology to bridge his physical distance from the Wi-Fi-enabled community he works with in India. … Continue reading “Care Convene Aims to Make Telemedicine as User-Friendly as Facebook”
MTRAC Program Helps Early-Stage Automotive Technology Get to Market
With the era of the autonomous vehicle dawning, the technologies required to develop driverless cars have never been hotter. But before they hit the marketplace, cutting-edge innovations often necessitate a lot of research, and much of that early research is conducted in an academic setting. The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) program for advanced … Continue reading “MTRAC Program Helps Early-Stage Automotive Technology Get to Market”
Neurable’s Brain-Computer Interface Platform Scores U-M Investment
Neurable, a University of Michigan spinout now located in Cambridge, MA, has received a new investment from the university’s Zell Lurie Founders Fund to help commercialize its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. The new capital builds on a $2 million seed round the company raised last December, says … Continue reading “Neurable’s Brain-Computer Interface Platform Scores U-M Investment”
With $5M Investment, Toyota Is First Auto Co. to Back Mobility Center
As news reports this morning say that Toyota and Mazda are planning to open a new $1.6 billion U.S. manufacturing plant—location to be determined—Toyota is also making moves in Michigan. This week, the American Center for Mobility (ACM) announced that the Japanese automotive company has ponied up $5 million to be a founding sponsor of the autonomous vehicle … Continue reading “With $5M Investment, Toyota Is First Auto Co. to Back Mobility Center”
Clinc’s A.I. Lets USAA Members Casually Chat with Their Bank Accounts
Ever wanted to casually talk to your bank account and find out how much money you have in checking, or what your restaurant spending looked like a year ago? If you’re a member of USAA, the financial institution serving members of the U.S. military, and have an Amazon Alexa device, now you can. Clinc, the … Continue reading “Clinc’s A.I. Lets USAA Members Casually Chat with Their Bank Accounts”
MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges
For roughly the past five years, Detroit’s tech startup ecosystem has been growing at a rapid pace. However, accounts have differed as to just how much growth has occurred. A recent report by the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) attempts to shine a light on the subject while detailing a couple of key findings. According … Continue reading “MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges”
Disrupt Indy: Can Data Forge the Path to Inclusive Tech Ecosystems?
U.S. tech startups and investment firms have long been thought of as the domain of white men—because historically, they have been. Although that may be changing as more big tech corporations are pressured to release their diversity statistics and change hiring policies, one only needs to look at the statistics to confirm that women, members … Continue reading “Disrupt Indy: Can Data Forge the Path to Inclusive Tech Ecosystems?”
Michigan’s Biggest Startup Competition Now Accepting Applications
The annual Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition will return to Detroit in November, and event organizers are on the hunt for the state’s most promising tech startups to participate. At stake is more than $1 million in cash and prizes, including a whopping $500,000 grand prize. Accelerate Michigan is the state’s largest startup competition, and it … Continue reading “Michigan’s Biggest Startup Competition Now Accepting Applications”
VentureWell Brings Med Tech Acceleration Program to TechTown Detroit
When TechTown Detroit co-hosted a med health summit earlier this year, it was intended to foster collaboration, highlight companies in the sector, and break down silos to advance the regional ecosystem. That work is starting to pay off. VentureWell , the Hadley, MA-based nonprofit med tech accelerator, was in Detroit earlier this summer to run … Continue reading “VentureWell Brings Med Tech Acceleration Program to TechTown Detroit”
Re:purpose Aims to Close Tech Talent Gap with Culture Fit, Curation
The gap between the number of open tech jobs and the number of qualified candidates to fill them is an ongoing challenge in many parts of the country. In Michigan, that problem is especially acute. Doing a keyword search for IT jobs on Pure Michigan Talent Connect, the state’s employment website, reveals more than 16,000 … Continue reading “Re:purpose Aims to Close Tech Talent Gap with Culture Fit, Curation”
U-M’s Desai Accelerator Picks Four Ann Arbor Startups for New Cohort
The University of Michigan’s Desai Accelerator, a collaboration between the school’s College of Engineering and the Ross School of Business, has chosen four startups for its summer 2017 cohort, the program’s second class this year. The accelerator, which is open to all applicants regardless of university affiliation, is hosting two cohorts during the same calendar year … Continue reading “U-M’s Desai Accelerator Picks Four Ann Arbor Startups for New Cohort”
Will Federal Regulations Nullify State Autonomous Driving Laws?
Although the development of self-driving vehicles is well under way, there are still a lot of questions about potential safety regulations and which segment of government will oversee them. Because the federal government has so far not drafted any rules governing the testing and operation of autonomous cars, it has been left up to state … Continue reading “Will Federal Regulations Nullify State Autonomous Driving Laws?”
Nextech Gets Kids Interested in IT Careers Via Teacher Training
The challenge of finding skilled IT workers is a global one, but it’s arguably more acute in places like Indiana, where manufacturing brawn has historically trumped brainier sectors such as software development or biotech. As Rust Belt states strive to diversify their economies in the wake of the country’s declining industrial sector, there is simply … Continue reading “Nextech Gets Kids Interested in IT Careers Via Teacher Training”
Write About Offers K-12 Students a Safe Place to Share Writing
The fourth graders in Brad Wilson’s writing classes lit up after he added technology and multi-media content to his lesson plans. The former Stevensville, MI, teacher realized, too, how important it is for students who have caught the writing bug to have a safe place online to share their creative ideas, where trolls and creepy … Continue reading “Write About Offers K-12 Students a Safe Place to Share Writing”
Techstars Mobility Announces 2017 Class, New Industry Partners
The Detroit-based Techstars Mobility program announces its third cohort today, and managing director Ted Serbinski says it’s the most international class yet with startups from five countries. There are also new corporate partners coming on board and additions to the accelerator’s in-house support staff, including two people who have relocated to the Motor City from … Continue reading “Techstars Mobility Announces 2017 Class, New Industry Partners”
Cargo Helps Rideshare Drivers Run Turnkey Mobile Convenience Stores
Last month, when Intel released its report detailing the emerging “passenger economy,” it estimated that the value of the associated goods and services would be a stunning $7 trillion by 2050. Intel defines the passenger economy as what will happen when self-driving vehicles and ridesharing services turn drivers into idle passengers. A captive audience with … Continue reading “Cargo Helps Rideshare Drivers Run Turnkey Mobile Convenience Stores”
All Things Marketplace Brings Detroit Hustle to Small Businesses
In 2012, when Jennyfer Crawford hosted her very first small-business showcase called All Things Detroit, it was held in a one-bedroom apartment and it highlighted a lone startup that belonged to a friend of hers. The Motor City’s entrepreneurial resurgence was still in the early stages five years ago, but since then, her event has taken … Continue reading “All Things Marketplace Brings Detroit Hustle to Small Businesses”
Indiana Roundup: PolicyStat, ClearScholar, IEDC Growth News & More
As we hunker down into the dog days of summer, let’s take a long overdue look at tech news from across Indiana: —Carmel-based healthcare policy management company PolicyStat has been acquired by New Jersey’s iContracts, a provider of cloud-based contract compliance and revenue management software. The financial value of the deal was not disclosed. A … Continue reading “Indiana Roundup: PolicyStat, ClearScholar, IEDC Growth News & More”
With MapAnything Live, GM Aims to Turn Car into Mobile Sales Office
GM was the first automaker to enter the realm of connected cars when it launched the OnStar navigation system more than 20 years ago. However, telematics has come a long way since then, as evidenced by GM’s announcement that it will partner with location analytics startup MapAnything to offer its fleet customers a way to … Continue reading “With MapAnything Live, GM Aims to Turn Car into Mobile Sales Office”
New U-M Grant Funding Will Advance Clinical Research, Train Teachers
Two new grant programs administered by the University of Michigan aim to improve health and education for residents of the Great Lakes State. One, in partnership with automotive supplier Bosch, helps teachers with hands-on learning projects in the areas of energy, science, engineering, technology, and the environment; the other helps U-M researchers and faculty get … Continue reading “New U-M Grant Funding Will Advance Clinical Research, Train Teachers”
Renaissance VC’s Chris Rizik Wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Detroit/Ann Arbor Xconomist Chris Rizik is an interesting guy. He’s a venture capitalist who runs his own soul music website on the side; as a graduate of both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, he roots for both teams despite a bitter rivalry between them; he’s a close friend of Governor Rick Snyder, … Continue reading “Renaissance VC’s Chris Rizik Wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award”
Grand Ventures’ First Investment is in Big Data Startup Astronomer
Grand Ventures, the West Michigan venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech startups, has closed its first deal. The firm contributed an undisclosed amount to Cincinnati-based big data startup Astronomer’s $3.5 million seed round. The funding was led by San Francisco’s Wireframe Ventures and Ohio’s CincyTech; other investors include Frontline Ventures, Drummond Road Capital, CoreNetwork … Continue reading “Grand Ventures’ First Investment is in Big Data Startup Astronomer”
Tri-D Dynamics Aspires to Print Rocket Components for New Space Age
In tech circles, amid the chatter about terrestrial innovations such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and genomics, there’s excitement building around another important emerging sector: private space travel. Tesla’s Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Virgin’s Richard Branson, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen all have private space ventures underway. NASA is once again ramping up its … Continue reading “Tri-D Dynamics Aspires to Print Rocket Components for New Space Age”
Buckle Up: Driverless Cars Going Full Speed Ahead at Mcity
From the outside, you wouldn’t expect the humble Ford Fusion to contain technology that could upend the global transportation paradigm—until you notice the LIDAR unit whirring on its roof. LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensor technology that uses pulses of light to produce a 3D picture of the surrounding … Continue reading “Buckle Up: Driverless Cars Going Full Speed Ahead at Mcity”
Programs Seek to Connect Women to Startup Funding, STEM Careers
It’s been an especially good month to be a female entrepreneur in Southeast Michigan. Over the past four weeks, a new STEM initiative was announced; young women pursuing tech careers were awarded scholarships to help propel them toward a diploma; and tomorrow, a conference designed to encourage women-led startups with a social mission is being … Continue reading “Programs Seek to Connect Women to Startup Funding, STEM Careers”
Fuzic Closes on $3.5 Million Seed Round, Plans to Expand Reach
Fuzic, the Indianapolis-based marketing tech startup, announced this week that it has closed on a $3 million seed funding round, bringing the total amount of money raised since inception to $3.5 million. Fuzic’s backers include High Alpha, Allos Ventures, and Hyde Park Venture Partners, as well as local angel investors. “We are very impressed with … Continue reading “Fuzic Closes on $3.5 Million Seed Round, Plans to Expand Reach”
Madonna to Jeff Bezos: Invest Some of Your Billions in Detroit
You may have noticed that for the past couple of years, the Motor City has been busy mounting a comeback. Plenty of people are rooting for Detroit to get its groove back, including, it turns out, Madonna. Madonna is a native of metro Detroit, but her affection for the city has not been a lifelong phenomenon. … Continue reading “Madonna to Jeff Bezos: Invest Some of Your Billions in Detroit”
Mighty AI Opens Detroit Office to Pursue Auto Industry Customers
Mighty AI, a Seattle-based startup offering “training data as a service” for artificial intelligence applications, has opened a new office in Detroit. According to founder and CEO Matt Bencke, the company chose the location inside the Techstars Mobility headquarters to explore autonomous vehicle development prospects in Southeast Michigan. “We’ve been getting more automotive customers, and … Continue reading “Mighty AI Opens Detroit Office to Pursue Auto Industry Customers”
Facebook Rule Change Inspires New Path for Video Ad Startup Waymark
The last time we checked in with serial entrepreneur Nathan Labenz, it was 2014 and he had just won the Detroit edition of Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest pitch competition. The digital advertising venture he was working on then, which was called SocialProof, has changed course. Now called Waymark, Labenz’s 22-person company has relaunched … Continue reading “Facebook Rule Change Inspires New Path for Video Ad Startup Waymark”
U-M Steps Up Pace, Breadth of Detroit Research Collaborations
At the end of the school year this spring, the University of Michigan held an event in Detroit to celebrate the various learning and research initiatives it has underway in the city. Called “um3detroit,” the event’s name was meant in part to highlight the university’s Third Century program, which invested $25 million to encourage faculty … Continue reading “U-M Steps Up Pace, Breadth of Detroit Research Collaborations”
Ur Hired: Canvas Helps Recruiters Interview Job Applicants Via Text
In the past decade, there has been plenty of handwringing in places like Indiana over the droves of talented young people leaving the state after graduation. Tech talent, in particular, tends to flee for the coasts as fast as possible, so it can be a challenge for homegrown companies to attract the attention of job … Continue reading “Ur Hired: Canvas Helps Recruiters Interview Job Applicants Via Text”
MI Roundup: Court Innovations, A2 Tech Trek, SoccerStub, and More
Here’s a look at recent innovation news from around the state: —Ann Arbor-based Court Innovations, a startup spun out of the University of Michigan’s law school, has closed on a $1.8 million funding round. The round was led by Belle Michigan Fund, with contributions from Northern Michigan Angels, Michigan Angel Fund, U-M’s student-led Social Venture Fund, … Continue reading “MI Roundup: Court Innovations, A2 Tech Trek, SoccerStub, and More”
High-Net-Worth Michiganders: Time to “Get Off the Dime,” Brophy Says
When the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) unveiled the findings in its 2017 annual report at a public event in April, there was a lot to celebrate: a 48 percent increase in venture-backed startups over the past five years; every dollar invested by a Michigan firm attracting $4.61 in out-of-state capital; and a total of … Continue reading “High-Net-Worth Michiganders: Time to “Get Off the Dime,” Brophy Says”
Quantifi Launches With A.I. Approach to Digital Marketing Strategy
A new marketing tech firm called Quantifi launched today out of startup studio High Alpha, complete with $2 million in seed funding from a handful of investors. The Indianapolis-based company seeks to offer digital marketers a research and development platform where they can test new products and strategies before committing to a specific kind of campaign. … Continue reading “Quantifi Launches With A.I. Approach to Digital Marketing Strategy”
Barracuda Networks Plans $2.3 Million Expansion and Hiring Spree
Barracuda Networks, the publicly traded cybersecurity giant, is growing—and has chosen once more to expand in Ann Arbor, MI. Barracuda (NYSE: [[ticker:CUDA]]), which was founded in Ann Arbor in 2003 but moved its headquarters to Silicon Valley in 2007, plans to invest $2.3 million in its downtown Ann Arbor office and add up to 115 … Continue reading “Barracuda Networks Plans $2.3 Million Expansion and Hiring Spree”
Happy Trails, Ken: Nisbet Retires from Running U-M Tech Transfer
Tuesday marked the last day on the job for Detroit/Ann Arbor Xconomist Ken Nisbet, the University of Michigan’s longtime director of technology transfer—but don’t expect to see him enjoying post-career leisure activities anytime soon. “I’m not going to go fishing five days a week or anything,” Nisbet says with a laugh. “I’m staying in Ann … Continue reading “Happy Trails, Ken: Nisbet Retires from Running U-M Tech Transfer”
After Years of Growth, myCOI Plans Expansion That Could Add 185 Jobs
On Wednesday, Indianapolis startup myCOI announced it will invest nearly $1 million to more than double its footprint, creating up to 185 jobs by 2021. To help sweeten the deal, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation will grant myCOI up to $1.75 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $42,500 in workforce training grants. In … Continue reading “After Years of Growth, myCOI Plans Expansion That Could Add 185 Jobs”
Analysis: Are Today’s Automobile Companies More Like Nokia or Apple?
As the CEO shake-up at Ford was unfolding this week—Mark Fields was ousted from the top spot in favor of Jim Hackett, who had been leading the automaker’s self-driving car and mobility efforts—Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen issued a sick burn: “Today’s car makers are like Nokia—right before it was crushed by Apple.” Ouch. Andreessen … Continue reading “Analysis: Are Today’s Automobile Companies More Like Nokia or Apple?”