Category: Detroit

GM Deal is a Milestone on Long Road for Maxwell Technologies

Shares of San Diego’s Maxwell Technologies (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MXWL]]) soared Tuesday by 18 percent, or 92 cents, to $6.03 a share, after Maxwell said General Motors is using its voltage stabilization system on many 2016 Cadillac models. Maxwell said General Motors is the first North American automaker to integrate its ultracapacitor technology as part of an … Continue reading “GM Deal is a Milestone on Long Road for Maxwell Technologies”

INRIX Acquires ParkMe—and Its Reams of Data—for Undisclosed Sum

ParkMe, the Santa Monica, CA-based service that allows drivers to find and reserve parking spaces in busy urban centers, has been acquired by Kirkland, WA-based INRIX. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Alex Israel, ParkMe’s co-founder, says the entire 25-person ParkMe operation will join INRIX, but the company will maintain its “brand and … Continue reading “INRIX Acquires ParkMe—and Its Reams of Data—for Undisclosed Sum”

A Conversation with Sequoia Capital’s Matt Miller

Bamboo Detroit will host a fireside chat with Matt Miller, a partner at Sequoia Capital, one of the largest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. Miller is focused on enterprise technology, and Startup Grind’s founder and CEO, Derek Andersen, will lead the conversation with the goal of connecting startups in Detroit with resources in the … Continue reading “A Conversation with Sequoia Capital’s Matt Miller”

American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?

Americans need to spend less on healthcare. Anyone disagree? No country spends like we do: 17 percent of our gross domestic product the past four years, in fact, according to the World Bank. No other country—rich, poor, big, small, frozen, tropical, whatever—comes close. (OK, except for the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. Really.) Now … Continue reading “American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?”

U-M Announces $100 Million Data Science Initiative

Last week, the University of Michigan announced a big, new public-private initiative similar to its Mobility Transformation Center—only this time, the focus is on big data and the ever-improving technologies to gather, store, search, and analyze large collections of information. The $100 million Data Science Initiative (DSI) will establish the Michigan Institute for Data Science … Continue reading “U-M Announces $100 Million Data Science Initiative”

Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now

Dr. John Lechleiter, the CEO of Eli Lilly, recently attempted to debunk five “Big Myths” about Big Pharma. As he wrote, “Only about 10 cents of every U.S. healthcare dollar is spent on retail prescription medicines—which is the same share that was spent on prescriptions in 1960. While the overall use of medicines to treat … Continue reading “Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now”

Delphinus Closes $39.5 Million Series C, Plans SoftVue Trial

Delphinus Medical Technologies, the Plymouth, MI-based medical imaging startup, announced this week that it has raised $39.5 million in a Series C round. The investment was led by Venture Investors, with participation from Hopen Life Science Ventures, Waycross Ventures, Arboretum Ventures, Beringea, and North Coast Technology Investors. According to the company, the round represents the … Continue reading “Delphinus Closes $39.5 Million Series C, Plans SoftVue Trial”

SecureWorld Expo Detroit

This cybersecurity conference focuses on disruptive changes in the auto industry and the mind shift needed to develop solutions to mitigate risk. John Turner, security architect and engineer at Ford Motor Company, will discuss security and privacy issues related to automotive connectivity, and Martin Bailey, former Chrysler Information Security Officer, will highlight challenges the automotive … Continue reading “SecureWorld Expo Detroit”

Patriot Bootcamp

Techstars hosts this two-day workshop for veterans and military spouses interested in starting and building technology companies. This event provides entrepreneurial education and mentoring from successful business leaders and is free to attend. Participants must register by Sept. 14; click here.

Software Development Workshop

Stout Systems hosts the third event in a series of educational workshops geared toward software development managers and those responsible for overseeing software projects. The workshop is titled “Estimation: The Third Rail of Software Development” and will be presented Peg Bogema, Stout’s vice president of operations, and Dave Sweeton, Stout’s chief technologist. The event is … Continue reading “Software Development Workshop”

Swift Biosciences Receives $1,499,999 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6f1eadfc-1ca7-4d20-9602-41407d4c5611 Date 9/11/2015 Company Name Swift Biosciences Mailing Address 58 Parkland Plaza Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA Company Description Swift Biosciences is developing molecular biology reagents for research and diagnostic applications.Our products help users to detect genes and gene products that other products can’t. We also help users to analyze their samples … Continue reading “Swift Biosciences Receives $1,499,999 New Financing”

Coherix Secures $12,000,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5ff84597-53db-4a30-861c-542463eebd9f Date 9/11/2015 Company Name Coherix Mailing Address 3980 Ranchero Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 USA Company Description Coherix is a leader in 3-dimensional machine vision. We market innovative defect detection and surface measurement products for precision parts where a micron matters. We design high speed, non-contact metrology systems offering superior inspection … Continue reading “Coherix Secures $12,000,000 New Round”

Argus Cyber Lands $26,000,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=37466cae-92c3-45a8-a71c-d0e40275a70f Date 9/11/2015 Company Name Argus Cyber Mailing Address 900 Wilshire Drive Troy, MI 48084 USA Company Description Argus is an automotive cyber security pioneer, helping car manufacturers, their Tier 1 suppliers and aftermarket connectivity providers protect connected cars and commercial vehicles from car-hacking. Website http://www.argus-sec.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Argus Cyber Lands $26,000,000 Series B Financing”

HookLogic Raises $15.5M Round to Grow, Sells Off AutoHook Division

New York-based HookLogic announced Thursday it raised $15.5 million in a Series C round with new and existing investors, and separately sold its AutoHook division to Urban Science, a Detroit-based developer of software for marketing in the automotive industry. HookLogic developed a performance marketing platform that brands can use to reach consumers on retail and … Continue reading “HookLogic Raises $15.5M Round to Grow, Sells Off AutoHook Division”

Nutshell’s CEO, Founder on Building Startups in Ann Arbor

When I first sat down last spring to talk with serial entrepreneurs Guy Suter and Joe Malcoun about the companies they’ve launched and their plans to boost Ann Arbor’s startup ecosystem as a whole, it was a fun, freewheeling conversation. Malcoun and Suter have their hands in a number of local companies and projects. They’re … Continue reading “Nutshell’s CEO, Founder on Building Startups in Ann Arbor”

Delphinus Medical Technologies Obtains $39,500,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=05dafc74-32c8-4ece-aed5-f60791ad772e Date 9/10/2015 Company Name Delphinus Medical Technologies Mailing Address 46701 Commerce Center Drive Plymouth, MI 48170 USA Company Description Delphinus has succeeded in building a three-dimensional full-breast ultrasound imaging device that effectively differentiates benign from malignant masses in breast cancer cases using a safe (non-ionizing), comfortable (non-compressing), and reliable (operator independent) … Continue reading “Delphinus Medical Technologies Obtains $39,500,000 New Round”

How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era

Blockbuster. Borders. The U.S. Postal Service. These once-dominant entities, and many more, have all been victims of disruptive tech. Although it’s too early to sound the death knell for taxis, it’s also too late to say that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are a flash in the pan. The disruptive change they represent is … Continue reading “How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era”

NFL Lab Report: Detroit’s Xenith Makes Top-Rated Football Helmet

The topic of football-related brain injuries has captured national attention as doctors and researchers learn more about the kind of long-term damage sustained by players in the rough-and-tumble sport. There’s even a movie scheduled to hit theaters later this year called “Concussion,” which stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the real-life forensic neuropathologist who … Continue reading “NFL Lab Report: Detroit’s Xenith Makes Top-Rated Football Helmet”

Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?

We’ve been hearing a lot about how the high-tech industry has been working to recruit more underrepresented minorities and women into its ranks, without much early success. Less than 2 percent of the employees at Facebook, Google, and Twitter are African-American, according to the companies’ Equal Employment Opportunity reports for 2014, released earlier this year. … Continue reading “Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?”

9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More

There’s a point at which a technology market or sector feels overhyped and saturated. Sometimes it’s when the first $1 billion valuation is announced—or when venture capital starts flowing so freely that it seems due diligence is an afterthought. And it’s definitely when media start calling tech businesses “Uber for (fill in the blank).” In … Continue reading “9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More”

Women Who Fund Conference

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business hosts this half-day conference designed to connect women-owned business leaders with women in the venture capital and private equity industry to further access and availability to capital. Alicia Robb, a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and a professor at UC-Berkley, will deliver the keynote speech. For … Continue reading “Women Who Fund Conference”

DTX Launch Teaches Young Grads Entrepreneurial Skills

TechTown Detroit—in partnership with Bizdom, Invest Detroit, the Detroit Creative Corridor Center, the Henry Ford Innovation Institute, NextEnergy, and Techstars Mobility—recently ran the 2015 DTX Launch Detroit program, a 10-week summer accelerator for college students and recent graduates aspiring to launch a technology startup. This year’s cohort comprised 11 teams, with 26 participants from 10 … Continue reading “DTX Launch Teaches Young Grads Entrepreneurial Skills”

Varsity News Network Lands $3,700,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=608a743b-34fa-42b2-8590-b35a6ba89597 Date 9/4/2015 Company Name Varsity News Network Mailing Address 15 Ionia Avenue SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA Company Description VNN’s athletics platform automatically updates your schedules, game results, articles, photos, forms, and alerts as you work on the things you already do everyday. Website http://www.varsitynewsnetwork.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “Varsity News Network Lands $3,700,000 New Financing Round”

Varsity News Network Snags $3.7 Million, Plans 2.0 Version Next Year

Varsity News Network (VNN), the Grand Rapids, MI-based startup that facilitates online communication between high school athletic departments, parents, and athletes, today announced that it has closed on a round of financing worth $3.7 million. Arsenal Ventures led the round, with participation from North Coast Technology Ventures, RSL Venture Partners, Start Garden, Nir Arkin, Detroit … Continue reading “Varsity News Network Snags $3.7 Million, Plans 2.0 Version Next Year”

HistoSonics Obtains $3,000,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=99ab579c-50be-4539-9f2f-52cadbbedce0 Date 9/3/2015 Company Name HistoSonics Mailing Address 3626 W. Liberty Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA Company Description HistoSonics Inc which will develop a novel medical device that uses tightly focused ultrasound pulses to treat prostate disease. Website http://www.histosonics.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The … Continue reading “HistoSonics Obtains $3,000,000 New Funding”

Censio, Led by Ex-Zipcar CEO, Brings Mobile Tech to Car Insurance

In the business of connected cars, at least one clear market has emerged: insurance. Today a Boston startup is taking a big step in that market. Censio, which has been growing quietly next to the Harvard Innovation Lab, said Wednesday it has formed a partnership with Progressive Insurance to develop a mobile app to monitor … Continue reading “Censio, Led by Ex-Zipcar CEO, Brings Mobile Tech to Car Insurance”

Renaissance, MVCA Program Lures Half-Dozen Investors to Michigan

Though Michigan’s startup community has experienced a ton of growth in the past 10 years, the state remains a place that is “underserved” when it comes to investment capital, says Chris Rizik, CEO and fund manager at Renaissance Venture Capital. With that in mind, Renaissance partnered with the Michigan Venture Capital Association for the past … Continue reading “Renaissance, MVCA Program Lures Half-Dozen Investors to Michigan”

At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?

For certain parts of the population, “summer” is a verb, and in the U.S., one does it until Labor Day. One more week, then, before sunburned financial types return to their desks and biotech IPO hopefuls hit the road to plead their cases. Whether August’s market volatility continues its stomach-churning ways or recedes in September’s … Continue reading “At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?”

5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology

Congratulations. Your startup made it through its first challenging years, and you’re seeing positive returns. But, there’s always room to grow. Is it time to hire more salespeople, or should you invest in customer relationship management (CRM), productivity software, or another technology that can improve your business? The choice between putting money into technology or … Continue reading “5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology”

Detroit’s First Youth Maker Faire Draws a Lively Crowd

Event organizers estimate about 1,000 people attended the city’s first-ever Detroit Youth Maker Faire, held last Thursday at Eastern Market. Hosted by the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, TechTown Detroit, General Motors, and the Detroit Parent Network, the maker faire gave local kids the chance to show off their creativity and learn more … Continue reading “Detroit’s First Youth Maker Faire Draws a Lively Crowd”

FlexTech Alliance To Manage $75M Defense Institute for Tech Manufacturing

California research consortium FlexTech Alliance announced today it has landed a $75 million U.S. Department of Defense contract that makes it the organizational hub for a sweeping government effort to advance American manufacturing capabilities for flexible products like clothing that are enhanced with electronic sensors and processing power. The Defense Department will funnel research contracts … Continue reading “FlexTech Alliance To Manage $75M Defense Institute for Tech Manufacturing”

New Apps, Management Software Seeping In as Old Industries Digitize

John Van Siclen recalls driving around last year in the middle of nowhere, Wisconsin, to visit a large retailer. The meeting was off the beaten path for the Dynatrace CEO, but not just in the physical sense. His Waltham, MA-based company makes software that helps businesses run their digital operations. Over the years, Dynatrace has … Continue reading “New Apps, Management Software Seeping In as Old Industries Digitize”

Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego

When the late Dr. Leon Thal, renowned neurologist and chairman of the Neurosciences Department at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, first imagined a research network able to conduct clinical trials of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, it was an idea ahead of its time. The degenerative condition was poorly understood, with no existing … Continue reading “Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego”

Achates CEO on Growth, Obama’s Climate Plan, Fairbanks Morse Deal

In April, San Diego-based Achates Power announced it was opening a Michigan office to capitalize on the market momentum of its opposed-piston engines. I caught up with Achates CEO David Johnson this week to find out how things were going. “We have a great facility,” Johnson said, referring to the company’s recently opened Customer Application … Continue reading “Achates CEO on Growth, Obama’s Climate Plan, Fairbanks Morse Deal”

With $24M Series B, Avegant Prepares to Launch Video Player Headset

Avegant, a Redwood City, CA-based tech startup with roots in Ann Arbor, MI, announced this week that it has raised $24 million in Series B funding. Lian Luo, a Chinese mobile gaming company, led the round, with participation from the Bunting Family Fund and returning investors Intel Capital and NHN Investments. Avegant’s lead consumer product … Continue reading “With $24M Series B, Avegant Prepares to Launch Video Player Headset”

Roundup: U-M Impact Challenge, Digerati Girls, 365 Retail Markets & More

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation communities: —The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business today unveiled details of its annual Impact Challenge, an immersive leadership development program which brings together the entire incoming class of first-year, full-time MBA students to engage in a week-long business challenge that aims to make a positive difference … Continue reading “Roundup: U-M Impact Challenge, Digerati Girls, 365 Retail Markets & More”

Michipreneur Graduates from Blog to Online Startup Resource Hub

When Michipreneur began in 2012, it was a blog focused on telling stories from Michigan’s startup community. Since then, it has grown into a full-on digital publishing operation that offers a host of online services for local startups. This week, the company announced it has launched a new platform connecting Michigan entrepreneurs and creatives across … Continue reading “Michipreneur Graduates from Blog to Online Startup Resource Hub”

Breaking Down Barriers: A Detroit-Ann Arbor Dinner Conversation

Growing up in East Lansing, MI, I wasn’t aware of the “invisible forcefield on US-23,” as TechTown Detroit’s executive-in-residence Gerry Roston eloquently phrases it, that acts as a barrier between Detroit and Ann Arbor. It seemed inconceivable to me that I, someone who grew up about 80 miles from Detroit, had visited the city more … Continue reading “Breaking Down Barriers: A Detroit-Ann Arbor Dinner Conversation”

Techonomy Detroit

The Techonomy conference is back for the fourth consecutive year, bringing together thought leaders to discuss the impact of tech on the American economy and its cities, and the transformation of the urban ecosystem. To find out more, click here.

Dash 3.0 Conference

This year’s edition of the Dash conference focuses on radio and the connected car. Conference organizers say they’ll provide actionable ideas and automotive strategies that can be implemented by every radio station or company; speakers include advertising experts from the automotive industry, panels of local car dealers, and leaders from radio and marketing. For details, … Continue reading “Dash 3.0 Conference”

100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help

Last week, 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease and millions more around the world got encouraging news. Investors gave a vote of confidence, in the form of a $120 million IPO, to Global Blood Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GBT]]), a four-year-old biotech working on a pill that could become the biggest medical advance ever for the disease. … Continue reading “100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help”

Reframing the Conversation About Technology and Government

When the conversation turns to government and technology, all too frequently the narrative becomes one of hopelessness. Healthcare.gov, the ancient computer sitting on the desk at the DMV, and the recent attacks by hackers on various government departments all help to reinforce this story of futility. And, inevitably, the questions get framed as, “Why can’t … Continue reading “Reframing the Conversation About Technology and Government”

Roundup: Goldman Sachs, Hatch Detroit, Aging 2.0, U-M & More

Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative, a $20 million effort announced in 2013 that provides loans, business education, and grants to Detroit-area entrepreneurs, celebrated the graduation of 60 small-business owners at a reception at Wayne State University earlier this month. The graduates participated in more … Continue reading “Roundup: Goldman Sachs, Hatch Detroit, Aging 2.0, U-M & More”

Xconomy Detroit/Ann Arbor Aims to Capture Spirit of Collaboration

As we approach the end of our fifth year in Michigan, Xconomy Detroit is rebranding. We’re calling it Xconomy Detroit/Ann Arbor in recognition of the ongoing collaboration between the two communities so crucial to the state’s efforts to innovate and diversify—collaboration we hope to help foster. First, some history: When Xconomy decided to expand its … Continue reading “Xconomy Detroit/Ann Arbor Aims to Capture Spirit of Collaboration”

Arbor Plastic Technologies Receives $300,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3b5a47fe-05e7-476b-8bb9-4d447ffa0203 Date 8/13/2015 Company Name Arbor Plastic Technologies Mailing Address 44600 Merrill Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314 USA Company Description (APT), LLC has been formed to develop, manufacture, market, sell and service specialty additives and associated delivery systems, for the plastic resin industry. Website http://www.arborplastic.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $300,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Arbor Plastic Technologies Receives $300,000 New Round”

Asterand Buys AdeptBio to Capitalize on Precision Medicine’s Rise

Asterand Bioscience, the Detroit, MI-based provider of biospecimens to drug discovery and research customers, announced it has acquired Memphis, TN-based AdeptBio, a biobank specializing in the custom procurement of human tissue samples. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but John Canepa, Asterand’s COO and CFO, said the acquisition positions the company to better … Continue reading “Asterand Buys AdeptBio to Capitalize on Precision Medicine’s Rise”

HistoSonics Lands $2,104,846 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=78858edb-d70d-4b74-9368-f6905ce228b8 Date 8/11/2015 Company Name HistoSonics Mailing Address 3626 W. Liberty Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 USA Company Description HistoSonics Inc which will develop a novel medical device that uses tightly focused ultrasound pulses to treat prostate disease. Website http://www.histosonics.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $2,104,846 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds … Continue reading “HistoSonics Lands $2,104,846 New Funding”