Interactions, a Franklin, MA-based company using artificial intelligence technologies to power virtual assistants for enterprise customers, today announced it has acquired Digital Roots, a metro Detroit startup focused on AI-based customer engagement on social media. The specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. Digital Roots is headquartered in Northville, MI, in a building that … Continue reading “Interactions Buys Digital Roots to Bolster Social Media Offerings”
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."
What’s Next for American Workers as Trade, Automation Roil Manufacturing?
When Donald Trump heralded Ford’s announcement earlier this year that it would invest $1.2 billion in its Michigan plants, it was seen by some as the fulfillment of campaign promises to “bring jobs back” and put America first. Last week, the other shoe dropped with reports that Ford will cut 10 percent of its global … Continue reading “What’s Next for American Workers as Trade, Automation Roil Manufacturing?”
Distil’s Are You a Human Acquisition Is Big Win for Tech Community
Detroit’s nascent tech community got a significant validation today as Silicon Valley cybersecurity company Distil Networks announced it has acquired homegrown, Dan Gilbert-backed startup Are You a Human. The specific terms and the monetary value of the deal were not disclosed, but Distil says it plans to open a new office in Detroit as a … Continue reading “Distil’s Are You a Human Acquisition Is Big Win for Tech Community”
Automotive Infosec Startup Karamba Snags $12M for Hack-Blocking Tech
There are conflicting opinions, even within Xconomy’s newsroom, about whether autonomous vehicles will be the game-changing technology the automotive industry hopes for. Yet, connected-car cybersecurity startup Karamba is moving full steam ahead—and its investors just doubled down with a new round of funding. Today, Karamba, which is based in Ann Arbor, MI, and Hod Hasharon, … Continue reading “Automotive Infosec Startup Karamba Snags $12M for Hack-Blocking Tech”
SRI’s Michigan Office Will Help Develop New VEE Vaccine
SRI International, the Menlo Park, CA-based nonprofit contract research giant, is counting on its Michigan office to play a crucial role in the development of a new vaccine. SRI has been awarded two contracts worth $4.7 million by the U.S. Army’s Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program to test and manufacture a potential new vaccine against Venezuelan equine … Continue reading “SRI’s Michigan Office Will Help Develop New VEE Vaccine”
Shoulder Innovations Raises $1.5M to Grow its Patented Implant Tech
Shoulder Innovations, the Holland, MI-based medical device startup, this week announced a $1.5 million Series A round led by the Michigan Angel Fund, with participation from Start Garden, Invest Michigan, Novus Bioventures, Western Michigan University’s Biosciences Research Commercialization Center, and Genesis Innovation Group. The four-person company, which was founded in 2009, has developed a shoulder … Continue reading “Shoulder Innovations Raises $1.5M to Grow its Patented Implant Tech”
Structural Launches with Software to Unleash Employee Productivity
Structural is on a mission to unlock workplace data to help optimize the way offices function. The employee-management software startup—based in Indianapolis and St. Paul, MN, and backed by High Alpha—has set out to apply analytics and other technologies to produce workforce insights that were previously hiding in the raw data of human-resources files. Until … Continue reading “Structural Launches with Software to Unleash Employee Productivity”
Roundup: LLamasoft, TechHire Bootcamp, Application Deadlines Galore
Here’s a look at innovation news you may have missed from around Michigan: —LLamasoft, the Ann Arbor-based developer of supply chain software, announced today that TPG Capital has invested in the company. The specifics of the deal were not disclosed. LLamasoft marks TPG’s second foray into the supply-chain technology space, following its 2016 investment in Transporeon, a … Continue reading “Roundup: LLamasoft, TechHire Bootcamp, Application Deadlines Galore”
Sonam Technologies Wants to Reduce Risk of Playground Brain Injuries
In the past few years, we’ve heard a lot about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries. While we usually hear about these injuries in the context of high-impact sports like football or boxing, traumatic brain injuries are also a risk for kids that fall off playground equipment. These kinds of accidents are more prevalent and … Continue reading “Sonam Technologies Wants to Reduce Risk of Playground Brain Injuries”
New State Fund Helps Commercialize Early Tech from MI Universities
University technology transfer programs in Michigan now have a new pot of money to support their efforts, thanks to a fund supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The University Early Stage Proof of Concept Fund, also known as the Advance grant program, will help move research projects and technologies developed at Michigan universities from … Continue reading “New State Fund Helps Commercialize Early Tech from MI Universities”
TechPoint’s Mira Awards: MOBI Wins Company of the Year
TechPoint, the organization dedicated to growing Indiana’s tech ecosystem, held its annual Mira Awards gala in front of a packed house on Saturday. Meant to recognize the success and innovation of the state’s tech companies, entrepreneurs, educators, and other leaders, the Miras have been awarded for the past 18 years. From the 180 nominating applications … Continue reading “TechPoint’s Mira Awards: MOBI Wins Company of the Year”
Hacking Health: What Does It Take to Build a Med Tech Ecosystem?
Regional healthcare organizations, IT experts, clinicians, and entrepreneurs will spend the weekend at TechTown Detroit for the third annual Hacking Health event, which is designed to break open silos and inspire new collaborations between med tech innovators on both sides of the Detroit River. Attendees of the weekend hackathon, hosted by TechTown and Ontario’s WEtech … Continue reading “Hacking Health: What Does It Take to Build a Med Tech Ecosystem?”
Renaissance VC Fund Backs New-to-Michigan Next Coast Ventures
Ann Arbor, MI-based Renaissance Venture Capital Fund announced this week that it has invested in Austin, TX-based Next Coast Ventures. The fund-of-funds, which puts money into out-of-state VC funds to help entice them to invest in Michigan startups, did not disclose the amount of the investment. Chris Rizik, CEO of Renaissance and Detroit/Ann Arbor Xconomist, … Continue reading “Renaissance VC Fund Backs New-to-Michigan Next Coast Ventures”
TCC Plans to Expand Offerings After Acquiring Vertex, Triple Impact
TCC Software Solutions, an Indianapolis-based IT cloud-hosting company, announced this week that it has acquired two businesses: Vertex Solutions Group and Triple Impact. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Jim Pangallo, principal partner at TCC, says the two companies came to TCC’s attention through Harborside Advisors, a Florida firm that arranged the acquisition. … Continue reading “TCC Plans to Expand Offerings After Acquiring Vertex, Triple Impact”
Michigan State’s Conquer Accelerator Announces 2017 Participants
Earlier this month, the Michigan State University-backed Conquer accelerator program announced the five startups that will spend the summer pushing their products and technologies to market. Starting in June, Conquer participants will begin the 10-week incubation program. What makes Conquer different from many other university accelerators is its accessibility. Even though the program is administered … Continue reading “Michigan State’s Conquer Accelerator Announces 2017 Participants”
After Steady Growth, Greenlight.guru Plans New Office, More Hires
The Indianapolis-based startup Greenlight.guru, maker of quality management software for organizations in the medical device industry, plans to invest $651,022 in a new, 7,200-square-foot office at Union 525, a tech hub in the city’s downtown. The new office is part of an expansion plan now underway, and the company expects to create up to 120 … Continue reading “After Steady Growth, Greenlight.guru Plans New Office, More Hires”
HistoSonics Aims To Move Forward After Raising $8.5M, Naming New CEO
Changes are afoot at HistoSonics, the University of Michigan medical device spinout based in Ann Arbor, MI. The company has a new CEO, as well as a new focus on the treatment of solid-tumor cancers. Last month, HistoSonics also closed on a $8.2 million Series B round led by Wisconsin’s Venture Investors, with contributions from … Continue reading “HistoSonics Aims To Move Forward After Raising $8.5M, Naming New CEO”
After 3-Year Partnership, DePuy Acquires TRS Scaffolding Technology
In 2014, Plymouth, MI-based biotech startup Tissue Regeneration Systems (TRS) began collaborating with DePuy Synthes Products, a company under the Johnson & Johnson umbrella making orthopedic products, such as the devices used in joint replacements. This week, DePuy formalized that relationship with the announcement that it has acquired TRS’s FDA-approved, 3D-printed scaffolding technology that enables … Continue reading “After 3-Year Partnership, DePuy Acquires TRS Scaffolding Technology”
Angie’s List Co-Founder Talks Diversity and Building Tech Ecosystems
It’s a bit ironic that Angie Hicks, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Indianapolis-based Angie’s List, didn’t originally plan to be an entrepreneur. Before she helped found the business-listings company 22 years ago, she was an intern at a venture capital firm with plans of becoming a consultant because, she says, that’s what economics majors … Continue reading “Angie’s List Co-Founder Talks Diversity and Building Tech Ecosystems”
OPS Solutions Scores More Funding from Michigan Capital Advisors
OPS Solutions, the Wixom, MI-based startup working on augmented reality technologies for manufacturers, has scored additional funding from lead investor Michigan Capital Advisors (MCA), a private equity firm focused on the automotive industry and transportation-related technologies. Earlier this month, MCA inked a deal to again invest in OPS, the maker of Light Guide Systems (LGS), … Continue reading “OPS Solutions Scores More Funding from Michigan Capital Advisors”
Plymouth Growth Partners Snags MIRA Award for Investor of the Year
A few years ago, when Ann Arbor, MI-based Plymouth Growth Partners was searching for new places to invest the $61 million in its third venture fund, the firm decided to look outside the Great Lakes State. “We were pretty heavily invested in Chicago and Michigan already,” recalls Jeff Barry, a partner at the firm formerly … Continue reading “Plymouth Growth Partners Snags MIRA Award for Investor of the Year”
Roundup: GreenLight Winners, Develop the Mitten, WaitTime & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from across Michigan: —Thanks in part to a $450,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, Huntington Bank announced it will invest $5.4 million in a downtown Flint expansion. The company plans to renovate its call center at the former regional headquarters of FirstMerit, which the bank acquired last year, and … Continue reading “Roundup: GreenLight Winners, Develop the Mitten, WaitTime & More”
Rippleshot Uses Big Data Tools to Mitigate Credit Card Fraud
A company founded by an Indiana University graduate to fight payment-card fraud with data analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning is now backed by the school’s Innovate Indiana Fund. Part of a $2.6 million investment round, the funding will help Chicago-based Rippleshot launch a new product later this year aimed at stopping criminals from scamming … Continue reading “Rippleshot Uses Big Data Tools to Mitigate Credit Card Fraud”
NextEnergy Seeks I-Corps Energy & Transportation Program Applicants
With mobility and smart city technologies growing at a rapid pace, Detroit-based cleantech incubator NextEnergy and the University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship are seeking applicants for an upcoming I-Corps training program. The I-Corps program is designed to help entrepreneurs and researchers (both corporate and academic) commercialize their innovations. NextEnergy’s customized curriculum will focus on … Continue reading “NextEnergy Seeks I-Corps Energy & Transportation Program Applicants”
Calling All Coders: Civic Hackathon Seeks to Harness IoT Tech
For most of its 200-year existence, Indiana’s economy has depended on three industries: manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. Bill Soards, president of AT&T Indiana, says all of these sectors are “huge consumers” of Internet of Things technologies. Later this month, his company is hosting a civic hackathon in order to convene teams and get to work … Continue reading “Calling All Coders: Civic Hackathon Seeks to Harness IoT Tech”
After a Turbulent Decade, A123 Plans New $40M Campus—and Layoffs
Livonia, MI-based A123 Systems, the maker of lithium-ion batteries primarily for use in electric cars, has once again pruned its operations to fit global cleantech demand. On Monday, the company announced plans to invest $40 million in a new, consolidated corporate headquarters, manufacturing center, and engineering base on 32 acres in Novi, MI, despite the … Continue reading “After a Turbulent Decade, A123 Plans New $40M Campus—and Layoffs”
Curvo Labs Aims to Help Hospitals Make Better Purchasing Decisions
Throughout his career working in the hospital supply chain, Curvo Labs CEO Andy Perry has seen a lot of changes. In the past decade, in particular, the rise of value-based reimbursement policies and new technologies have altered the way hospitals make purchases. In the past, it was up to the sales people at innovative medical … Continue reading “Curvo Labs Aims to Help Hospitals Make Better Purchasing Decisions”
Fuzic Combines Music and On-Demand Marketing to Engage Customers
Before Brent Oakley co-founded Fuzic, an Indianapolis-based marketing technology startup, he owned carwashes. He wanted to make his customers happy, so he installed cafes in his carwashes, hoping that he’d be able to chat with his patrons while they sipped beverages and learn more about what they wanted out of a carwash. When that didn’t … Continue reading “Fuzic Combines Music and On-Demand Marketing to Engage Customers”
A3: Automation is a Tool for Job Growth, But Better Training Needed
Southeast Michigan’s Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is one of the hosts of the biennial Automate conference happening next week in Chicago, and organizers say this year’s edition is expected to be the biggest yet, drawing more than 20,000 attendees. In anticipation of the event, A3, a trade group promoting automation, has produced a white … Continue reading “A3: Automation is a Tool for Job Growth, But Better Training Needed”
IBRI, Dow Agrosciences, Lilly Partner on Molecular Safety Database
The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), a nonprofit, industry-led life sciences research institute focused on targeting cardio-metabolic diseases, diabetes and poor nutrition, has a new collaborative project underway. The IBRI is teaming up with Eli Lilly and Dow AgroSciences to create a shared data platform that assesses the potential effects different molecules have on human … Continue reading “IBRI, Dow Agrosciences, Lilly Partner on Molecular Safety Database “
After $1M NEI Grant, ONL Therapeutics Closer to Clinical Trials
ONL Therapeutics, the Ann Arbor, MI-based biotech startup working on sight-preserving therapies for patients with retinal diseases, is one step closer to clinical trials, thanks to a cash infusion from the National Eye Institute (NEI). Last week, the NEI awarded ONL a $1 million Commercialization Readiness Pilot grant to continue advancing ONL1204, the company’s lead … Continue reading “After $1M NEI Grant, ONL Therapeutics Closer to Clinical Trials”
Detroit Fintech Startup Autobooks Closes $5.5M Series A Round
Autobooks, the Detroit-based startup spun out of Billhighway in 2015, has closed on a $5.5 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by Pittsburgh-based Draper Triangle, with participation from CU Solutions Group, Baird Capital, Detroit Venture Partners, and Invest Michigan. Autobooks’s software is designed to be integrated with online banking platforms to serve … Continue reading “Detroit Fintech Startup Autobooks Closes $5.5M Series A Round”
Roundup: UIndy, Aprimo, STEM initiatives, IBRI at Notre Dame & More
Here’s a look at tech and innovation news from around Indiana: —The University of Indianapolis today announced the biggest grant in its history, and it’s designed to close STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workforce gaps. This week, UIndy announced that it will launch the R.B. Annis School of Engineering thanks to a $5 million … Continue reading “Roundup: UIndy, Aprimo, STEM initiatives, IBRI at Notre Dame & More”
Tech Exec Ahmed Rubaie on Trump’s Travel Ban and Silicon Valley
In late January, when President Donald Trump’s first executive order banning all refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries was announced, Ahmed Rubaie’s mother-in-law was out of the country visiting Jordan. Although his mother-in-law is a green card holder, and Jordan wasn’t included in the ban, Rubaie’s wife was beside herself. She began making frantic … Continue reading “Tech Exec Ahmed Rubaie on Trump’s Travel Ban and Silicon Valley”
Sigstr Aims to Unlock the Marketing Potential of E-mail Signatures
Bryan Wade, the new CEO of Indianapolis-based startup Sigstr, says e-mail is the next great marketing frontier. This insight comes after having spent more than a decade as a digital marketer, including a stint serving as the chief product officer for Salesforce Marketing Cloud just before taking the reins at Sigstr. The average business, he … Continue reading “Sigstr Aims to Unlock the Marketing Potential of E-mail Signatures”
Detroit’s HAAS Alert Links Motorists to 911 Responders, Smart Cities
HAAS Alert, the Techstars Mobility alum with offices in Detroit and Chicago, is one of three startups spending the first six months of 2017 at the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Incubator in Portland, OR. HAAS Alert has been working on a mobile platform for connected cars and smart cities that allows first responders and other … Continue reading “Detroit’s HAAS Alert Links Motorists to 911 Responders, Smart Cities”
ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab
Last month, CloudOne, the Fishers, IN-based startup focused on building, operating, and integrating cloud-based technologies, changed its name to ClearObject. John McDonald, ClearObject CEO, says the new name reflects the company’s evolution beyond cloud provider to “Internet of Things innovator”—an evolution further solidified by ClearObject’s decision to be the founding member of a new IoT … Continue reading “ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab”
The Dot Targets Millennial Women with Monthly “Party Box” for Periods
It was a great boyfriend—a candidate for Guy of the Year and definitely husband material, in this reporter’s estimation—who inspired a new startup based in Grand Rapids, MI, called The Dot. Every month during college, when founder and CEO Anais Felt got her period, her boyfriend at the time would show up with a box … Continue reading “The Dot Targets Millennial Women with Monthly “Party Box” for Periods”
On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth
Last July, former Gov. Mike Pence issued an executive order integrating the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), with the goal of aligning and strengthening Indiana’s efforts to encourage the growth of startups and entrepreneurship. The order included a $1 billion investment over 10 years to help make the state … Continue reading “On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth”
Roundup: Fuyao, WSU Translational Research, Deadlines Galore & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Wayne State University has appointed Phillip Levy, a doctor and professor of emergency medicine, to head up its new Translational Science and Clinical Research Innovation program. Housed in WSU’s Integrative Biosciences Center, the Center for Translational Science and Clinical Research Innovation will become the hub of campus-wide … Continue reading “Roundup: Fuyao, WSU Translational Research, Deadlines Galore & More”
IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors
Going to the doctor is rarely fun, but the experience is infinitely more pleasant and productive when physicians and patients are communicating well and feel mutually respected. With such common goals, one might be tempted to think the doctor-patient relationship is a no-brainer, but that does not seem to be the case. According to a … Continue reading “IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors”
TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies
TechPoint, the industry-led non-profit organization supporting Indiana’s tech ecosystem, has announced the nominees for the 18th annual Mira Awards, which celebrate the state’s most promising technology companies. This year, 50 independent judges combed through 180 applications to choose the nominees for awards honoring the sector’s best people, products, and companies. Later this month, all nominees … Continue reading “TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies”
Detroit, Silicon Valley Collaborate on Path to Self-Driving Cars
As the race to get autonomous vehicles on the road revs up, there has been much discussion in the auto industry about who will lead the charge. Because of the new technologies involved in the development of self-driving cars, many initially assumed that Silicon Valley would take the driver’s seat instead of Detroit. But it’s … Continue reading “Detroit, Silicon Valley Collaborate on Path to Self-Driving Cars”
Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder
By pollinating the crops that provide us with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, honeybees play a vital role in agricultural production and contribute more than $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to a 2014 White House fact sheet. However, since the onset of colony collapse disorder (CCD) in 2007, the beekeeping industry has suffered … Continue reading “Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder”
Founders of Grand Ventures Double Down on Michigan Startup Growth
Early-stage tech entrepreneurs in Michigan now have a new source of investment capital to chase. Grand Rapids, MI-based Grand Ventures, established earlier this month by McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Insurance and Huron River Ventures’ Tim Streit, will provide support to high-growth tech startups focused on agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries with strong Midwest presence, … Continue reading “Founders of Grand Ventures Double Down on Michigan Startup Growth”
BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana
BioCrossroads, a public-private collaboration that supports Indiana’s life sciences industry, released a report this week highlighting the sector’s economic activity in 2016—and the numbers indicate steady, incremental growth, says project director Brian Stemme. BioCrossroads’ most recently available data show the economic impact of Indiana’s life sciences industry—comprised of companies focused on pharmaceuticals; medical devices and … Continue reading “BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana”
Clinc Raises $6.3M Series A to Help Take Financial A.I. to Market
Clinc, an artificial intelligence startup spun out of the University of Michigan, announced this week that it has raised a Series A round worth $6.3 million, just six months after closing on a $1.2 million seed round. The new round was led by Drive Capital, with contributions from Hyde Park Venture Partners, Ann Arbor, MI-based … Continue reading “Clinc Raises $6.3M Series A to Help Take Financial A.I. to Market”
Seeking Talent, Levementum Plans Indy Expansion to The Union
In 2005, Arizona-based digital marketing firm Levementum was conceived over drinks in Paris. The company officially launched the following year, and today, it announced plans to continue its growth trajectory in Indiana one year after opening an office in Indianapolis. At an event with Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett this afternoon, Levementum … Continue reading “Seeking Talent, Levementum Plans Indy Expansion to The Union”
Genomenon’s Software Seeks to Give Geneticists Faster Insights
Genomenon, a University of Michigan spinout developing analytics and data visualization software for the genomics industry, released its first product last week: software designed to simplify the process of interpreting gene variants. Called Mastermind, the software is a tool that automatically combs through millions of journal articles and medical publications; its goal is to drastically … Continue reading “Genomenon’s Software Seeks to Give Geneticists Faster Insights”
Digital Health Solutions’ Software Helps Docs Screen Patients
Anyone who has ever visited an outpatient clinic knows it can be a crowded, chaotic place. Electronic health records (EHR) technology—software that puts a patient’s charts and health information online so doctors can access it, ostensibly leading to better, more efficient care while facilitating communication—has so far not lived up to its potential. Tammy Dugan, … Continue reading “Digital Health Solutions’ Software Helps Docs Screen Patients”