When Manuel Lavin’s father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago, his mother was adamant about her desire to keep him at home as long as possible. As the disease progressed, however, his father became combative. Particularly challenging tasks were changing and cleaning him. Lavin’s mother didn’t have the physical strength to lift … Continue reading “Lavin Lift Strap, Invented for Family, Lightens Load for Caregivers”
Tag: Ann Arbor SPARK
Former Auto, Bomber Plant to Become Connected Vehicle Research Center
A 5 million-square-foot former automotive factory in Ypsilanti Township, MI—the site where Henry Ford perfected his system of producing a new World War II bomber every minute—has taken its first step toward new life as a connected vehicle research center. “This is the next big thing in transportation technology,” says Paul Krutko, president and CEO … Continue reading “Former Auto, Bomber Plant to Become Connected Vehicle Research Center”
U-M Startup TurtleCell Offers Solution to Tangled iPhone Earbuds
Those of us who can scarcely leave the house without our headphones firmly anchored in our ears all have the same problem: perpetually tangled cords. TurtleCell, a startup based in Ann Arbor, MI, believes it has the solution. TurtleCell has designed an iPhone case with headphones embedded inside on a retractable cord, which means there … Continue reading “U-M Startup TurtleCell Offers Solution to Tangled iPhone Earbuds”
Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $1.5M in Six Startups
The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund announced this week that it has invested $1.5 million in six early-stage tech startups: AutoBike, AlertWatch, BEET Analytics Technology, IROA Technologies, Patient Provider Communications, and TM3 Systems. To date, the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund has invested $20 million in 89 Michigan companies. Ann Arbor SPARK acts as the fund’s administrator. About the companies receiving investment: —AutoBike, based in … Continue reading “Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $1.5M in Six Startups”
Michigan Angel Fund Makes First Investment in BioPhotonics
The Michigan Angel Fund (MAF), a new 70-member angel investing group managed by Ann Arbor SPARK, announced it has made its first investment—in East Lansing-based BioPhotonics Solutions. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. The MAF, a $2 million professionally managed equity fund formed last year, is the largest angel organization in Michigan. BioPhotonics Solutions is … Continue reading “Michigan Angel Fund Makes First Investment in BioPhotonics”
BioPhotonics Solutions Secures New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3bb73f63-6954-4be2-9b17-1f89f4bad2c8 Date 7/18/2013 Company Name BioPhotonics Solutions Mailing Address 1401 East Lansing Drive East Lansing, MI 48823 Company Description BioPhotonic Solutions Inc. (BSI), a Michigan State University spin-out venture founded in 2003 by University Distinguished Professor Dr. Marcos Dantus, is in the early phases of revolutionizing the ultrafast laser industry with its … Continue reading “BioPhotonics Solutions Secures New Financing”
Ornicept: Bringing Big Data to Natural Resource Management
Russell Conard, co-founder of the Ann Arbor-based startup Ornicept, likes to describe himself as a computer scientist with a birding habit. Conard hooked up with Ornicept’s other co-founder, Justin Otani, who is the son of a wildlife biologist, while they were both attending Indiana University. The two wanted to know how scientists and researchers collect … Continue reading “Ornicept: Bringing Big Data to Natural Resource Management”
Quikly: Part Daily Deal, Part Flash Sale, All Growth
Back in February 2012, Xconomy profiled Shawn Geller, the founder and CEO of the startup Quikly (though back then it was called Quikkly). Geller had come to Detroit from Philadelphia to build his company at the Madison Building alongside a growing number of tech startups. Geller said at the time that Detroit wasn’t a place … Continue reading “Quikly: Part Daily Deal, Part Flash Sale, All Growth”
AlertWatch Obtains $1,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=67020cca-a98b-4a39-8ff7-c3d29a2df7a1&Preview=1 Date 4/24/2013 Company Name AlertWatch Mailing Address 600 Huron Parkway Bldg 520 Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Company Description AlertWatch: OR is a secondary patient monitor for use in hospital operating rooms. AlertWatch aggregates data from multiple networks hospital IT systems and displays them at a central location. Once alerted, the clinician … Continue reading “AlertWatch Obtains $1,000,000 New Financing”
Venture Funding in Detroit Down in Q1, Still Higher Than 2011
According to MoneyTree data released today, first-quarter venture funding in southeast Michigan was down compared to the first quarter of 2012, though the deal count rose by one. Compared to last year, funding in Q1 2013 was down by almost two-thirds, with venture capitalists investing $17.6 million in 13 deals. However, 2012 was a record-high … Continue reading “Venture Funding in Detroit Down in Q1, Still Higher Than 2011”
Talking Ag Tech, Bridging the Ann Arbor-Detroit Gap at U-M Unconference
The premise of the Entrepreneurs Engage unconference held at the University of Michigan yesterday may sound a little hokey to the uninitiated: The audience suggests breakout-group topics, and then folks spend about 45 minutes in each discussion—or they don’t. “You vote with your feet,” said emcee (and Xconomist) Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations. “Go … Continue reading “Talking Ag Tech, Bridging the Ann Arbor-Detroit Gap at U-M Unconference”
Mobile Madness Motor City: Highlights and Takeaways
Startup founders, industry leaders, investors, and a high number of young, engaged Detroiters crowded into the auditorium at the Compuware Building downtown last Thursday for Mobile Madness Motor City, Xconomy’s first mobile technology event in Detroit. We’ve held Mobile Madness events to great success in other cities across the Xconomy network, and Detroit was no … Continue reading “Mobile Madness Motor City: Highlights and Takeaways”
Four Startups Receive Michigan Microloan Fund Awards
The Michigan Microloan Fund Program announced last week that it has awarded a combined $156,000 in funding to four Michigan startups. The early-stage companies received the microloans to support their commercialization efforts. “The microloans are important because they give the companies an opportunity to grow and move into the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Joe Locavalli, who … Continue reading “Four Startups Receive Michigan Microloan Fund Awards”
Message Blocks: Event Planning in the Digital Age
Len Gauger, founder of the Ann Arbor-based startup Message Blocks, is pumped; his event-planning software company is off to a good start, he says. Cheerful and friendly by nature, he could be the poster boy for the kind of young entrepreneur that state government officials dream of when they preach about the need for talent … Continue reading “Message Blocks: Event Planning in the Digital Age”
Seven Tech Startups Snag $232,000 in State Microloans
Seven early-stage tech startups have received loans from the Michigan Microloan Fund Program, the state announced earlier this month. The funding, dispersed quarterly, this time amounted to a total of $232,000. To date, the microloan fund program has lent $2.8 million to Michigan companies that are on the brink of being revenue-ready. “The criteria is … Continue reading “Seven Tech Startups Snag $232,000 in State Microloans”
MoneyTree Report: Q3 Venture Activity in Detroit Strongest Ever
According to MoneyTree Report data released today by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and PricewaterhouseCoopers, Detroit had its strongest quarter in venture activity since the firm began tracking the data in 1995. In the third quarter of 2012, there were five deals worth a whopping $106.3 million, according to the report. One has to … Continue reading “MoneyTree Report: Q3 Venture Activity in Detroit Strongest Ever”
Bongotones Launches 3.0 Version, Mobile Apps, Detroit Location
Metro Detroit-based startup Bongotones, which sells customized ringtones, wallpaper, MP3s, games and more to a global customer base, recently launched its overhauled platform. Meant to be more appealing to users, Bongotones’ 3.0 version has a cleaner interface. On Monday, Bongotones will launch the mobile version of its site, followed by iPhone and Android apps a … Continue reading “Bongotones Launches 3.0 Version, Mobile Apps, Detroit Location”
Former LinkedIn Researcher Starts Meritful, a Network for Students
While teaching high school as he was pursuing his phD at the University of Michigan, Azarias Reda spent a lot of time with kids. However, something always bothered him: These students were always online, but what were they telling the world about themselves? “They’re actively generating content, except not a lot of it is useful … Continue reading “Former LinkedIn Researcher Starts Meritful, a Network for Students”
It’s Time to Woo More Foreign Students and Companies, Says Paul Krutko
Paul Krutko is the president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, the city’s economic development agency. He’s just back from Washington, D.C., where he was part of a delegation—along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Mike Finney; JoAnn Crary, president of Saginaw Future; and Ray Byers, Wayne County’s chief economic development officer—who attended this week’s … Continue reading “It’s Time to Woo More Foreign Students and Companies, Says Paul Krutko”
What’s New With Loveland Technologies, Axonia, 3D Biomatrix?
Don’t you hate it when you read an article about a promising new company and then you never hear anything about it again? We do too, which is why we’ve checked in with Loveland Technologies, Axonia Medical, and 3D Biomatrix for updates on the state of their operations, new milestones, and future plans. Loveland Technologies: … Continue reading “What’s New With Loveland Technologies, Axonia, 3D Biomatrix?”
Shifting Code Program Helps Retrain MI Professionals for IT Jobs
According to Monster.com, there are currently 841 open software and IT development jobs in Michigan. Compare that to 319 jobs in manufacturing, 487 in healthcare, and a dismal 46 in creative and design. It’s something I hear often in my line of work: There is a severe shortage of software development talent in Michigan, and … Continue reading “Shifting Code Program Helps Retrain MI Professionals for IT Jobs”
Will 3-D Thermal Imaging Revolutionize Breast Cancer Detection?
Paul Angott is an idea man. He holds 40 patents on products such as a clock thermostat, a wireless doorbell, and a laser-guided, unmanned mower for football fields and golf courses. Throughout his career, he’s launched five companies and raised more than $10 million for his various entrepreneurial endeavors, sold more than $100 million worth … Continue reading “Will 3-D Thermal Imaging Revolutionize Breast Cancer Detection?”
Think Tech Labs Tailors Salesforce to the Real Estate Market
Yesterday, we published an article about why VC guru Jason Mendelson is feeling bullish about Michigan as a hub for entrepreneurship. He pointed out that the state’s tendency toward collaboration is an important asset that should continue to be championed. Vijay Mehra, CEO of Think Tech Labs, wholeheartedly agrees. It’s exactly the reason that, six … Continue reading “Think Tech Labs Tailors Salesforce to the Real Estate Market”
JumpStart, NEI Plan New High Tech Accelerator in Detroit
JumpStart Inc., a Cleveland-based nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship and economic development, will team with the New Economy Initiative (NEI) to open a new high-tech accelerator in Detroit, says NEI executive director David Egner. Egner (an Xconomist) says a variety of state and regional investors will fund the accelerator and he expects it to have an … Continue reading “JumpStart, NEI Plan New High Tech Accelerator in Detroit”
Axonia Medical Obtains $2,000,000 Seed Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8dbd84c7-2d04-4c05-84a5-30e2b619c35b&Preview=1 Date 5/11/2012 Company Name Axonia Medical Mailing Address 4321 Roxbury Lane Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Company Description The concept of Axonia’s technology, which is spun out of the University of Pennsylvania, hinges on the production of axons, the long thin parts of nerve cells that carry signals to distant target cells. Unlike … Continue reading “Axonia Medical Obtains $2,000,000 Seed Financing”
Xconomist of the Week: Ramsinghani On Microinvesting in a Company Town
There is a lot of talk these days in post-industrial American cities like Detroit about transforming the “brawn economy” into the brain economy. Detroit Xconomist Mahendra Ramsinghani, who runs Invest Detroit’s First Step Fund, is on the front lines of that battle to economically recalibrate. “As a community, generation after generation got up and went … Continue reading “Xconomist of the Week: Ramsinghani On Microinvesting in a Company Town”
SE Michigan Startups Nab Pre-Seed, Microloan Funding
Ann Arbor SPARK and Wayne State University recently announced that eleven Southeast Michigan startups have received investments from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund and microloan awards from the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Local Development Financing Authority (LDFA). The investments are meant to help early-stage companies commercialize their technology. Three companies from TechTown’s business accelerator program received pre-seed … Continue reading “SE Michigan Startups Nab Pre-Seed, Microloan Funding”
Menlo Park Software Company Cataphora Expands to New Office in Ann Arbor
Cataphora, a Menlo Park, CA-based software company that specializes in applying its technology to the modeling of individual and organizational behavior, has just opened an office in Ann Arbor, MI. Cataphora said it made to move to take advantage of local talent, most notably from the University of Michigan. “The decision was made to expand … Continue reading “Menlo Park Software Company Cataphora Expands to New Office in Ann Arbor”
$25M in State Funding Will Support Entrepreneurs, Startups
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced yesterday that the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) has awarded $25 million to six metro Detroit organizations that will support entrepreneurs in launching and growing startup companies throughout the state. The funding comes from the state’s 21st Century Jobs fund, which is focused on the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies … Continue reading “$25M in State Funding Will Support Entrepreneurs, Startups”
Detroit Deals Stay Sluggish in Q2, Ready for Some Magic
Detroit startups have less than sunny results to report for fundraising in second quarter of 2011. There were just two startups in the area that inked investments from April through June, and those deals added up to a meager $2.21 million, according to the MoneyTree Report, compiled by the National Venture Capital Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers, … Continue reading “Detroit Deals Stay Sluggish in Q2, Ready for Some Magic”
My Farewell Present: Six Observations About Michigan’s Innovation Economy
Due to some unforeseen personal issues, I have to end my tenure as editor of Xconomy Detroit far sooner than I would like. But in my relatively short time here, I’ve discovered no shortage of interesting and compelling stories in Michigan. Here are my top six takeaways from my six months in the Wolverine State. … Continue reading “My Farewell Present: Six Observations About Michigan’s Innovation Economy”
From Lab To Incubator To Research Complex, We Have The Makings Of An Innovation Factory In Michigan
Lycera is coming home. The company recently said it will move from Plymouth, MI to the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) in Ann Arbor. But this move is not merely just a physical relocation. In 2008, Pfizer decided to pull out of Michigan, a move the state largely greeted with dismay and … Continue reading “From Lab To Incubator To Research Complex, We Have The Makings Of An Innovation Factory In Michigan”
Ann Arbor Spark Pats Its Back
Ann Arbor SPARK says it has attracted 13 new companies to the region and helped 29 businesses to expand in the region last year. The business accelerator also said it helped secure $151 million in new investment commitments and create over 1,400 new jobs.
Ann Arbor Spark Names Board
Ann Arbor SPARK named the following community leaders to its board: Ric DeVore, regional president of PNC;Marty Kahn,CEO of ProQuest; Mike Miller, head of Google’s local office;Conan Smith, Washtenaw County commissioner and executive director of Michigan Suburbs Alliance;Thomas Zurbuchen, director of University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and Dr. Susan Martin, president of Eastern Michigan … Continue reading “Ann Arbor Spark Names Board”
Silicon Valley Veteran To Lead Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor is getting a fresh infusion of Silicon Valley. Ann Arbor SPARK, one of four business accelerators in Southeast Michigan, said Tuesday that it named Paul Krutko president and CEO. Krutko, previously the chief development officer for San Jose, CA., will replace Mike Finney, who’s now CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Krutko … Continue reading “Silicon Valley Veteran To Lead Ann Arbor SPARK”
Can Southeast Michigan’s Four Accelerators Play Nice With Each Other?
Last week, the Kauffman Foundation released details from a six-month study that cataloged the capabilities of the region’s four top economic development groups: Ann Arbor Spark, TechTown in Detroit, Automation Alley in Troy, and Macomb-OU Incubator. Collectively, the report boasts, the groups “have created more than 1,000 jobs and invested approximately $18 million in hundreds … Continue reading “Can Southeast Michigan’s Four Accelerators Play Nice With Each Other?”
In Southeast Michigan, Keeping Young Talent in the State a Constant Challenge
If Ashley Hartmann had her way, the junior at the University of Michigan would leave the state after getting her degree. “The job opportunities are horrendous in comparison to the rest of the nation,” Hartmann, a chemistry major, said at the MPowered Entrepreneurship career fair in the school’s student union last week. Michigan has struggled … Continue reading “In Southeast Michigan, Keeping Young Talent in the State a Constant Challenge”
For Civionics Co-Founders, Southeast Michigan an Accessible Base to Launch Wireless Sensor Company
Jerry Lynch, co-founder and executive vice president of Civionics, has experience navigating high-tech entrepreneurial ecosystems. And his experience has taught him that southeast Michigan is a premier place to grow a fledging company. Lynch’s Ann Arbor-based company makes wireless sensors that can monitor everything from the structural stability of a bridge to the energy consumption … Continue reading “For Civionics Co-Founders, Southeast Michigan an Accessible Base to Launch Wireless Sensor Company”
InfoReady Brings in $250K
InfoReady, an Ann Arbor, MI-based developer of collaboration and workflow management software, announced today that it nabbed a $250,000 investment from Automation Alley, bringing its first-round funding to $1.1 million. The funding will go to sales, marketing, and new product rollouts for InfoReady, which is developing its software for clients who need to search relevant … Continue reading “InfoReady Brings in $250K”
For Arbor Photonics, a Myriad of Reasons Not to Flee to the Coasts
When Phillip Amaya, CEO of Arbor Photonics, was first brought in to head up the advanced laser processing company, he said he had every intention of locating the start up in California. But Michigan’s aggressive approach to home-growing businesses and keeping them in the state changed Amaya’s mind. “The state came through to help us … Continue reading “For Arbor Photonics, a Myriad of Reasons Not to Flee to the Coasts”
Aursos Raises $40K for Osteoporosis Treatment
Aursos, a Kalamazoo, MI, company that uses a protein found in black bears to try to prevent bone loss in people who suffer from osteoporosis, has raised $40,000 toward a $230,000 round of debt, rights and securities, according to VentureWire. In March, VentureWire reported the company raised $60,000 toward a $740,000 equity round. Previously, the … Continue reading “Aursos Raises $40K for Osteoporosis Treatment”
Ann Arbor’s Shepherd Intelligent Systems Hopes to Move to the Front of the Bus in GPS Fleet-Tracking Biz
If you’ve ever taken a bus … anywhere … then you know all about an unwritten Law of Motion that goes something like this: A body that arrives at a bus stop tends to stay at rest. A long time. A Second Law might state that the velocity of the bus’s arrival is in inverse … Continue reading “Ann Arbor’s Shepherd Intelligent Systems Hopes to Move to the Front of the Bus in GPS Fleet-Tracking Biz”
Simms named Ann Arbor SPARK CEO
Ann Arbor SPARK, a Michigan regional business incubator, has appointed Skip Simms interim president and CEO, replacing Michael Finney, who was named today as the new director of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. by Governor-elect Rick Snyder. Simms previously served as Ann Arbor Spark’s vice president for entrepreneur business development as well as manager of … Continue reading “Simms named Ann Arbor SPARK CEO”
Armune BioScience Takes $500K Top Prize, U-M Students Get Award for Clean Energy System, and More Winners from Michigan’s Big Biz Plan Contest
[Updated—12/13/10 at 8:55 pm Eastern time. See editor’s notes.] A major business plan competition has sent its winners home with cash and other prizes to help make their dreams become reality. The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, which its organizers call the largest business plan competition in the world, has named the companies and student groups … Continue reading “Armune BioScience Takes $500K Top Prize, U-M Students Get Award for Clean Energy System, and More Winners from Michigan’s Big Biz Plan Contest”
Ann Arbor Hosts “World’s Largest” Biz Plan Contest This Week, $1M-Plus for Winners
Big dreams and lots of cash are happily colliding this week in Ann Arbor. Today begins the final three-day event for the inaugural Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, which organizers are calling “the world’s largest business plan competition.” The event at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex is expected to feature 50 companies from … Continue reading “Ann Arbor Hosts “World’s Largest” Biz Plan Contest This Week, $1M-Plus for Winners”
FamilyMint, Fusion Coolant Systems, Shepherd Intelligent Systems Awarded Michigan Microloans
Three Michigan companies have received a combined total of $145,000 through the Michigan Microloan Fund Program, managed by the Ann Arbor Spark business incubator, bringing the total amount invested through the fund to more than $1.8 million since it was launched in July 2009. Microloans available through the fund range from $10,000 to $50,000 and … Continue reading “FamilyMint, Fusion Coolant Systems, Shepherd Intelligent Systems Awarded Michigan Microloans”
Bill Allowing 25% Tax Credits For Angel Investors Heads For Michigan Governor’s Signature
Michigan’s angel, venture capital and entrepreneur communities are hailing this week’s passage by the state Legislature of tax breaks for angel investors. The bill, passed by both houses and expected to be signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, gives angel investors a 25 percent tax credit over two years, with a maximum of $250,000 … Continue reading “Bill Allowing 25% Tax Credits For Angel Investors Heads For Michigan Governor’s Signature”
Mobile Sign Language Startup Not Tone-Deaf to Ann Arbor Area’s Promise
When Mobile Sign Language Systems won an Ann Arbor Spark business plan competition last summer, and as a result got incubator space and other services, the University of Michigan-spawned startup was able to survive a crucial year of development. “I don’t think that our business would have been moving in the direction it’s going if … Continue reading “Mobile Sign Language Startup Not Tone-Deaf to Ann Arbor Area’s Promise”
Snyder Picks SPARK CEO for Transition
Michigan Governor-elect Rick Snyder has chosen Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Michael Finney to lead the economic strategy for his transition team. AnnArbor.com is reporting on speculation that Finney might also become the next head of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). Ann Arbor SPARK is a regional economic development group and company incubator. Snyder is … Continue reading “Snyder Picks SPARK CEO for Transition”
U-M Leaders Say Snyder Pick Good News for Startup Community, But Worry He’ll Be Held Up by Bureaucracy
Last week, Michigan voters elected political outsider Rick Snyder, whose resume more closely resembles that of a technology entrepreneur than a career politician, as the state’s next governor. Before stepping into the political arena, Snyder served as president of computer giant Gateway, co-founded a venture capital firm called Avalon Investments, and was chairman of Ann … Continue reading “U-M Leaders Say Snyder Pick Good News for Startup Community, But Worry He’ll Be Held Up by Bureaucracy”