Michigan’s entrepreneurs and venture capitalists made big strides in 2015—homegrown startups attracted more investment from both local and out-of-state investors, at least one company that originated in the Great Lakes State had a big IPO, and the startup community across the state continues to grow and become more vibrant as we look for ways to … Continue reading “Fixing Education in Michigan: What Skills Should We Be Teaching?”
Category: Detroit
Time to Bring Our Education System in Line with the 21st Century
The most pressing issue facing the innovation community is the lack of a robust tech talent pipeline to support emerging new enterprises and to help legacy industries adapt. While other countries are developing workers with skills to compete in the 21th century, our country’s education system remains stuck in the 20th. Not only do public education programs lack … Continue reading “Time to Bring Our Education System in Line with the 21st Century”
In the Face of Genomic Data Challenges, the Cloud Keeps Us Afloat
The data intensity of genomics is so intense that it’s difficult for most people to comprehend. According to estimates published in the journal PLOS Biology in July, as many as 2 billion human genomes could be sequenced by 2025, which would far exceed the data output expected of other “big data domains,” such as astronomy, … Continue reading “In the Face of Genomic Data Challenges, the Cloud Keeps Us Afloat”
Roundup: Ann Arbor SPARK, Simple Continuity, NEIdeas, U-M & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Ann Arbor SPARK held its 27th annual entrepreneur boot camp earlier this month, and a panel of investors and industry insiders voted Simple Continuity the winner. Simple Continuity makes business analytics software, and the company is targeting industries with complicated regulations, such as banking. More than … Continue reading “Roundup: Ann Arbor SPARK, Simple Continuity, NEIdeas, U-M & More”
Infrastructure Investments Are Key to U.S. Future
The issue that makes me most angry is the lack of investment in the infrastructure of the United States. From roads to mass transit to science to education, we are falling behind (or further behind) other regions. It’s a false economy, as lack of investment now means less capability to generate returns in the future. … Continue reading “Infrastructure Investments Are Key to U.S. Future”
Innovation vs. Healthcare Spending: Biotech’s Biggest Looming Challenge
Let’s start with the good news. We are at the beginning of a transformation in human health, treating diseases in ways that we could only speculate about in the recent past. While biology isn’t quite engineering (yet), biotech has become a technology-based, high-growth, high-wage space, all while working to cure cancer. Doing well by doing … Continue reading “Innovation vs. Healthcare Spending: Biotech’s Biggest Looming Challenge”
Five Cybersecurity Trends to Watch in 2016
To no one’s surprise, cybersecurity continued to be a key area of concern and struggle among organizations of all sizes in 2015. However, buried amongst the constant news cycle of new attacks and sophisticated breaches is the fact that more business leaders are understanding the importance of cybersecurity and its potential impact on the organization. … Continue reading “Five Cybersecurity Trends to Watch in 2016”
After Deal with Ciright One, What’s Next for Stratos?
According to a press release sent out Tuesday, Pennsylvania’s Ciright One signed an agreement with Ann Arbor-based mobile payment startup Stratos this week to take over the management of Stratos’ customer service and fulfillment operations, a deal that was reported by TechCrunch as a last-ditch effort to save Stratos from “collapse.” Ciright’s Julie Taylor was clearly … Continue reading “After Deal with Ciright One, What’s Next for Stratos?”
Pharmabros, Designer Babies, And Other Final Words For 2015
Every three months, Oxford Dictionaries releases its new entries, and modern language mavens everywhere have a field day. A few of my favorites from the summer update: weak sauce, microaggression, cupcakery, and at the risk of perpetuating wholly unfair stereotypes about journalists, beer o’clock. With that, I kick off my final column of 2015, a … Continue reading “Pharmabros, Designer Babies, And Other Final Words For 2015”
Finding Gratification in the Lessons Learned Along the Journey
During the downturn in 2000, when the dot com became dot bomb, I had to take a job that was a few levels below my expectations, but right in line with my actual life experiences. My boss and mentor at the time told me about his experiences in war and asked me to watch “Band … Continue reading “Finding Gratification in the Lessons Learned Along the Journey”
The Scientist and the Student: Thoughts on Lessons Learned From a Mentor
What is a key relationship or turning point that helped you get to where you are today? This is a great question. I suspect because it comes up so often in interviews, we tend to underplay the importance of the topic. We get familiar with the answer and over time, lose the tacit feel for … Continue reading “The Scientist and the Student: Thoughts on Lessons Learned From a Mentor”
Showcasing Detroit’s Revitalization Through Storytelling
When I fell in love with a guy from the east side of Detroit, my world opened up in lots of ways—not least of them was my introduction to a couple of legendary Detroit eateries I had been previously unaware of. Whether it was gobs of meat and cheese in the form of a Big … Continue reading “Showcasing Detroit’s Revitalization Through Storytelling”
Location Everywhere: What We’ll See in 2016
2016 is going to be a pivotal year for location- and proximity-based technology solutions. Companies across industries are testing the deployment of location aware infrastructures, opening up a world of possibilities. Location technology adoption will likely mirror that of social networks over the past 10 years. On balance, and with good direction, location-enabled experiences are … Continue reading “Location Everywhere: What We’ll See in 2016”
Gemphire Therapeutics Receives $2,650,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bc61c660-7747-4df7-820c-1ef71c28b54b Date 12/23/2015 Company Name Gemphire Therapeutics Mailing Address 43334 Seven Mile Road Northville, MI 48167 USA Company Description Our mission is to develop novel drugs, such as gemcabene, to treat the large, growing unmet need of dyslipidemia patients who are unable to reach optimal LDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels with statin … Continue reading “Gemphire Therapeutics Receives $2,650,000 New Financing Round”
Axios Mobile Assets Lands $13,430,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c6dd2520-d248-43d2-a95d-a9ba4eb45925 Date 12/23/2015 Company Name Axios Mobile Assets Mailing Address 400 Grand River Avenue Detroit, MI 48226 USA Company Description Axios Mobile Assets Corp. is a logistics enabler featuring a next generation, bio-based pallet technology, which can be bundled with its proprietary cross-platform tracking and information system that helps improve the value … Continue reading “Axios Mobile Assets Lands $13,430,000 New Round”
BoostUp Lands $375,603 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=69fccb6e-cc1a-4dcc-b643-d8f6c9d89d97 Date 12/23/2015 Company Name BoostUp Mailing Address 1555 Broadway St. Detroit, MI 48226 USA Company Description Our Mission is to create a more organized, social, and rewarding way for consumers to save up and pay for life’s big purchases. BoostUp is a savings platform that enables consumers to save up and … Continue reading “BoostUp Lands $375,603 New Round”
How West Michigan’s Collective Idea Lures Silicon Valley Talent
Collective Idea is a small but swiftly growing software development firm based in Holland, MI, that is earning a reputation for attracting big clients and top-notch talent, including one of the founders of the well-respected tech publication Ars Technica. In 2015, Collective Idea grew by 47 percent over the previous year, adding a new staffer … Continue reading “How West Michigan’s Collective Idea Lures Silicon Valley Talent”
Five Trends Ready to Disrupt In-Store Retail in 2016
With 2015 coming to a close, retailers are looking ahead for the next wave of technology that will impact in-store innovation. While we’re still waiting for some popular 2015 predictions to take off, including the merging of online recommendation engines with in-store visits, other trends such as e-commerce sites opening more brick and mortar locations … Continue reading “Five Trends Ready to Disrupt In-Store Retail in 2016”
The Big Value Creation Trend of 2015: Q&A with Jonathan Medved
When OurCrowd founder and CEO Jonathan Medved gives a talk about crowdfunding, as he did at the recent Stocktoberfest conference in San Diego, there is one particular slide in his deck that is something of a show stopper. Medved says it is the one slide that tells the whole story—explaining in one bar chart why … Continue reading “The Big Value Creation Trend of 2015: Q&A with Jonathan Medved”
CrowdRise Secures $4,999,998 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=74329f4b-72d8-4595-bd04-85bac6237579 Date 12/22/2015 Company Name CrowdRise Mailing Address 100 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 USA Company Description CrowdRise is about giving back, raising lots of money for great causes and having the most fun in the world while doing it. CrowdRise is way more fun than anything else aside from being all … Continue reading “CrowdRise Secures $4,999,998 New Funding Round”
Patient Investors, Impatient Researchers Essential for Clean Energy Future
Maybe it’s something in the Seattle air that we share, but over the last few weeks, I’ve learned that Bill Gates and I worry about similar things. In interviews with The Atlantic and The Washington Post Gates said: “Historically, it takes more than 50 years before you have a substantial shift in energy generation, but … Continue reading “Patient Investors, Impatient Researchers Essential for Clean Energy Future”
The Best Podcasts of 2015: A Guide for New Listeners
The percentage of Americans who say they’ve never listened to a podcast is steadily shrinking, but it’s still pretty large — 67 percent, according to a 2015 survey by Edison Research and Triton Digital. I’m going to assume for a minute that you’re in this uninitiated group. You know what podcasts are, and you’re vaguely … Continue reading “The Best Podcasts of 2015: A Guide for New Listeners”
Digital Business, Data-Driven Consumers, and the Dark Web
It’s that time of year again, where we look ahead to determine what tech trends will make the most significant impact in 2016. From my view, data analytics and our digital way of life will increasingly transform the world and the nature of business. Here are a few ways I see that playing out in … Continue reading “Digital Business, Data-Driven Consumers, and the Dark Web”
The Day After His Arrest, Martin Shkreli Is Out At Turing Pharma
Martin Shkreli was arrested for securities fraud yesterday, and today he has one fewer business to run. Turing Pharmaceuticals announced this morning Shkreli has resigned his post as CEO. His departure from Turing marks the second time he has built a company, only to leave under no small amount of controversy. The federal government is … Continue reading “The Day After His Arrest, Martin Shkreli Is Out At Turing Pharma”
Current Motor Makes Waves with its Mini-Fleet-in-a-Box
Michigan is home to a number of innovative mobility and transportation startups seeking to change the ways we move people and goods around the globe. Add Current Motor to the list. The Ann Arbor-based maker of electric vehicles and solar charging stations (with a manufacturing plant in Manchester, MI) is starting to get the world’s … Continue reading “Current Motor Makes Waves with its Mini-Fleet-in-a-Box”
Health Startups That Could Make My Job Easier
It’s remarkable how just six months of 80-hour weeks has changed me. Before I started my first year of residency last July, I was optimistic and excited about all sorts of healthcare startups. But now I can’t remember the last time I did my laundry and I’m just hoping to make it home from the … Continue reading “Health Startups That Could Make My Job Easier”
Detroit Police Partners with Nextdoor on “Virtual Neighborhood Watch”
The San Francisco-based social media platform for neighbors, Nextdoor, held a press conference in Detroit yesterday to announce a new partnership with the Detroit Police Department. According to Chief James Craig, Nextdoor will serve as another tool to connect Detroit residents with the police department. “I like to think of it as a virtual neighborhood … Continue reading “Detroit Police Partners with Nextdoor on “Virtual Neighborhood Watch””
From Google to Novartis: Business Showed Up Big at World Climate Talks
When negotiators from 195 countries met in Paris to hammer out an agreement to fight climate change, the two-week meeting in December was notable for many reasons. In an historic accord, the nations set a goal of limiting the warming of the planet to below 2 degrees C—even as low as 1.5 degrees C. The … Continue reading “From Google to Novartis: Business Showed Up Big at World Climate Talks”
Roundup: MCWT, Tetra Discovery, Entrepreneurs of Color Fund & More
Here’s a look at tech, startup, and innovation news from around Michigan: —The Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) held its 10th annual website design competition for girls in high school earlier this month. Twelve student finalists presented their sites to a panel of IT executives serving as judges. A record number of competitors … Continue reading “Roundup: MCWT, Tetra Discovery, Entrepreneurs of Color Fund & More”
London Notebook: Conversations Inside The Biomedical Golden Triangle
Xconomy had reporters in eight locales when I joined in the spring of 2014. Since then, we have expanded into Texas and North Carolina, adding two more locales where we cover the life sciences and much more. We’re always looking for the next place to put down roots. One big place on our radar is … Continue reading “London Notebook: Conversations Inside The Biomedical Golden Triangle”
Xconomy Unconference Fosters Honest Discussion Despite Divisive Era
Last Thursday, Xconomy hosted an unconference-style gathering at TechTown Detroit, and we invited folks from the Motor City and Ann Arbor to join us for a discussion about how we might break down the barriers between the two cities to further the region as a whole. It was the second event we held this year … Continue reading “Xconomy Unconference Fosters Honest Discussion Despite Divisive Era”
New MSU Business Accelerator Open to Startups Across the State
As if top-ranked basketball and football programs weren’t enough—forgive me, my blood runs green and white thanks to early indoctrination by my Michigan State University alumni parents—Spartans now have another cool thing to celebrate: the announcement of a new MSU-backed business accelerator. The Conquer Accelerator will offer to five startups a comprehensive, 10-week development program … Continue reading “New MSU Business Accelerator Open to Startups Across the State”
Austin, Denver Score High in U.S. List of Software Engineer Pay
If you are a software engineer, you are in demand. This you know. What you may not know is how your salary stacks up to that of your peers around the country. For that, I present to you the State of U.S. Salaries Report, courtesy of a San Francisco company called Hired. To no one’s … Continue reading “Austin, Denver Score High in U.S. List of Software Engineer Pay”
Free Program Teaches Detroiters Skills Needed to Go After IT Jobs
Downtown Detroit tech training institute Grand Circus has successfully launched a free new apprenticeship program open to all Motor City residents. The Department of Labor Computer Programming Apprenticeship is a five-week, full-time Java bootcamp that aims to give participants the skills to claim one of Detroit’s many open IT jobs. “The ideal candidate for the … Continue reading “Free Program Teaches Detroiters Skills Needed to Go After IT Jobs”
Your Startup Should Try a Switchback Strategy
When it comes to startup strategies, many entrepreneurs assume there is one optimal path. They may need to experiment or “pivot” initially among alternatives, but once they fix on an ideal strategy they simply need to execute. For example, a startup attempting to commercialize a new technology faces the strategic choice of whether to “go … Continue reading “Your Startup Should Try a Switchback Strategy”
At Hematological Meeting, More Than Just Biotech Data Runs Blood Red
[Editor’s note: Deputy Biotechnology Editor Ben Fidler co-wrote this story.] The annual American Society for Hematology meeting, held this year in Orlando, FL, ends today. The meeting is a showcase for new data, drugs, and approaches to treat cancers like leukemia, rare genetic diseases, and other maladies that originate in or otherwise affect blood. But … Continue reading “At Hematological Meeting, More Than Just Biotech Data Runs Blood Red”
Roundup: SPARK awards, Macomb Innovation Fund, Pro:Up, U-M & More
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation ecosystem: —Macomb Community College’s Innovation Fund, supported by JPMorgan Chase, has awarded $300,000 to five metro Detroit startups. The Innovation Fund is part of a $2.7 million effort to stimulate growth in promising young startups. Companies supported by the Innovation Fund are required to provide internships … Continue reading “Roundup: SPARK awards, Macomb Innovation Fund, Pro:Up, U-M & More”
2016: The Year We Give Shoppers What They Want
This time of year, all eyes in e-commerce are heavily focused on 2016 strategies for growing sales, keeping customers happy, and expanding channels. Consumer shopping behaviors are shifting too, forcing brands and retailers to be even more agile, though they’re currently struggling just to keep up. There is a disconnect in the industry between how … Continue reading “2016: The Year We Give Shoppers What They Want”
Praktio’s Digital Tools Help Students, Attorneys Navigate Legalese
Anyone who has ever tried to read a contract or service agreement dense with layers of legalese knows it can be a challenge. Turns out law students are often no less confused than lay people, said University of Michigan law professor Michael Bloom, and that’s why he decided to start a company called Praktio two … Continue reading “Praktio’s Digital Tools Help Students, Attorneys Navigate Legalese”
Introducing Xconomy’s New Fintech Channel
Whether you think Apple Pay or bitcoins, lending or mobile banking, not to mention new ways to protect our financial information, a revolution is underway when it comes to the technology behind finance. What’s more, this revolution is playing out all over the country—not just in the financial hubs of New York or Silicon Valley … Continue reading “Introducing Xconomy’s New Fintech Channel”
Gene Edit Summit Leaders Stop Shy Of Call To Ban Germline Changes
No call for a ban. No moratorium. But the scientists and ethicists who convened this week’s once-in-a-generation summit in Washington, DC, say that the practice of editing human DNA in a way that can be passed to future generations is “irresponsible” until there’s a body of evidence that it is safe, that it works, and … Continue reading “Gene Edit Summit Leaders Stop Shy Of Call To Ban Germline Changes”
Occipital Acquires Lynx Laboratories, Expands 3-D Scanner Capabilities
Occipital, a San Francisco startup founded by two University of Michigan alums, has acquired Austin, TX-based Lynx Laboratories, maker of mobile 3-D scanning technology. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Occipital’s vice president of marketing, Adam Rodnitzky, said the entire Lynx Laboratories team of seven employees has been absorbed by his company. … Continue reading “Occipital Acquires Lynx Laboratories, Expands 3-D Scanner Capabilities”
Arboretum Ventures, Duo Security Among MVCA’s 2015 Awardees
The Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) held its annual awards ceremony on Monday to recognize the state’s top entrepreneurs, investors, and deals. The event drew a record crowd, the organization said in a blog post, and “focused on the tremendous growth of the entrepreneurial and investment community” in Michigan and across the region. Incoming MVCA board … Continue reading “Arboretum Ventures, Duo Security Among MVCA’s 2015 Awardees”
LaGrasso Bros. Grows Local with Freight Farms Shipping Container
Detroit’s LaGrasso Bros. Produce started in 1914 with a single pushcart. Through the years, and three generations of family ownership, the food distribution company has grown to include a fleet of delivery trucks and a 40,000-square-foot refrigerated warehouse near Eastern Market. In September, the fourth generation of LaGrassos, Tom and Joe, installed a hydroponics operation—housed … Continue reading “LaGrasso Bros. Grows Local with Freight Farms Shipping Container”
What Three Biotechs Could Tell Us About The Pfizer-Allergan Merger
The long-speculated Pfizer-Allergan merger, announced last week with a $160 billion price tag, is officially in motion and lurching toward inevitability. Inevitability doesn’t equal certainty for many involved in the deal. Tens of thousands of employees could potentially get the axe, while dozens of smaller companies partnered with the two behemoths wait to see if … Continue reading “What Three Biotechs Could Tell Us About The Pfizer-Allergan Merger”
The Power of Big Data for Startups
These days, the National Football League, BMW, and Uber have something in common — they’re all experimenting with big data in exciting new ways. The NFL is using big data to help football fans track how fast and how far their favorite players sprint during a game. BMW is using big data to help drivers … Continue reading “The Power of Big Data for Startups”
Xconomy Unconference & Meet the Xconomists Reception
Breaking Down Silos and Building the Detroit-Ann Arbor Connection Last December, Xconomy hosted a dinner in Detroit where we invited about two dozen startup founders, investors, and other stakeholders from Southeast Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Though we brought the group together to share stories from the trenches, it quickly emerged that our guests wanted to discuss … Continue reading “Xconomy Unconference & Meet the Xconomists Reception”
Ash & Anvil Officially Launches with Shirts for Shorter Guys
After a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier this year and a stint in Venture for America’s (VFA) first-ever startup accelerator, Detroit-based Ash & Anvil officially launched its retail operation this month. “Before, we were selling an idea,” Ash & Anvil co-founder Eric Huang said. “Our successful Indiegogo campaign proved that idea is valid.” What Ash & … Continue reading “Ash & Anvil Officially Launches with Shirts for Shorter Guys”
Varsity News Network 2.0 Launches Early, & Other Recent MI News
Here’s a look at recent news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —When we last spoke to Grand Rapids-based Varsity News Network earlier this year, the company—which connects K-12 student athletes, parents, and coaches—told us it expected to release a “version 2.0” next year that would give users the ability to create profiles and share content. … Continue reading “Varsity News Network 2.0 Launches Early, & Other Recent MI News”
After a Clinical Trial Death, Zafgen Presses On, Families Stay Calm
[Update: Zafgen announced on Dec. 2 that a second patient in its clinical trial has died, see more details here.] Whether or not a new drug is approved boils down to one basic question: How does the risk of taking the treatment balance against the benefit it provides? And the weight that regulators give to … Continue reading “After a Clinical Trial Death, Zafgen Presses On, Families Stay Calm”