Tag: Automation Alley

Despite Industrial Tech’s Growing Sophistication, US Adoption Lags

This week, Detroit is hosting SME’s RAPID + TCT event, a conference and trade show dedicated to additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. It’s the first time the conference, which draws attendees from across the world, has been held in Detroit since 2014. Maria Conrado, SME’s senior event manager, says the conference has grown … Continue reading “Despite Industrial Tech’s Growing Sophistication, US Adoption Lags”

Smart Factory Tours Aim to Introduce Students to Industry 4.0 Jobs

With record low unemployment in the U.S., it has become increasingly difficult to find workers interested in pursuing factory jobs, especially as manufacturing becomes more high-tech. According to a 2018 study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, an estimated 2.4 million factory positions will go unfilled between 2018 and 2028, with a potential impact of … Continue reading “Smart Factory Tours Aim to Introduce Students to Industry 4.0 Jobs”

State Allocates Funds for Advanced Computing Hub, Incubator Programs

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for state-supported entrepreneurial programs. On Wednesday, the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) approved $250,000 to support a new advanced computing hub at Wayne State University as part of the statewide Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) program. MTRAC seeks to accelerate the transfer of technology developed at Michigan universities … Continue reading “State Allocates Funds for Advanced Computing Hub, Incubator Programs”

Don’t Fear the Robot: Humatics, Eckhart Push Factory Automation Tech

The state of American manufacturing has become an increasingly hot topic of conversation since the 2016 presidential election laid bare the discontent felt by workers and business owners alike. However, companies like Algonac, MI-based Eckhart and Cambridge, MA-based Humatics see an opportunity to reinvigorate American manufacturing through so-called “Industry 4.0” technologies—automated, connected, and collaborative tools … Continue reading “Don’t Fear the Robot: Humatics, Eckhart Push Factory Automation Tech”

As Automation Disrupts Everything, Michigan Must Seize Opportunity

Detroit is buzzing again. Optimism about the city’s future is high. Unemployment in the state of Michigan is under 4 percent, approaching 20-year lows, and is lower than the national average. There’s lots to be excited about, and I share that excitement 100 percent. In fact, it’s part of the reason why I recently moved … Continue reading “As Automation Disrupts Everything, Michigan Must Seize Opportunity”

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”

Automation Alley Drives Toward Autonomous Future with New Director

As Automation Alley prepares to host its annual awards gala this week, it’s a good time to look at what the organization is up to and what progress it has made since its founding nearly 20 years ago—and how the recent boom in autonomous technology has affected the organization’s long-term strategy. Automation Alley—a technology trade … Continue reading “Automation Alley Drives Toward Autonomous Future with New Director”

Roundup: Zoetis, Agtech Incubator, Knight Cities Challenge & More

Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —On Tuesday, Ann Arbor’s Plymouth Venture Partners announced it had sold its stake in 365 Retail Markets to Boston-based McCarthy Capital Fund VI; the terms of the deal were not disclosed. As we reported in 2013, 365 Retail Markets is a Troy-based startup that designs and … Continue reading “Roundup: Zoetis, Agtech Incubator, Knight Cities Challenge & More”

Roundup: MI’s Bio Sector Ranked, Wayne State, StockX, and More

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —According to a report released at the BIO International convention earlier this month, Michigan’s biosciences sector experienced significant growth from 2012-2014. The TEConomy/BIO report measured several indicators, including the number of employees and companies, average wages, academic research expenditures, venture capital investments, and number of … Continue reading “Roundup: MI’s Bio Sector Ranked, Wayne State, StockX, and More”

MI Roundup: Automation Alley, Baker College, Google DevFest, & More

Here’s a look at startup and innovation news from around Michigan: —Automation Alley, a Southeast Michigan technology business association, has released its annual economic report, and it contains a bold prediction: The region will outperform Silicon Valley in several key areas, including revenue, R&D investment, and hiring. To compile the report, Automation Alley surveyed senior … Continue reading “MI Roundup: Automation Alley, Baker College, Google DevFest, & More”

It Takes Guts: Blue Turtle Bio on Treating Gaucher with Microbes

In 2012, Nilesh Joshi walked into the offices of Wayne State University’s Blackstone LaunchPad program with a startup idea in need of validation. At the time, he was working to develop bio-manufacturing processes for chemicals derived from cellulose-based feedstock. Joshi signed on to work with Blackstone’s startup coaches and soon developed a rapport with Adham … Continue reading “It Takes Guts: Blue Turtle Bio on Treating Gaucher with Microbes”

Michigan Roundup: Automation Alley, MSU, U-M, Xuriden & More

Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Automation Alley, the Troy-based technology and business organization, has opened its 7Cs program—which helps early-stage companies connect to their first customers—to mid-stage companies. Any tech- or manufacturing-based company with between five and 100 employees in need of sales training or team building is eligible for the … Continue reading “Michigan Roundup: Automation Alley, MSU, U-M, Xuriden & More”

Roundup: YFS Automotive, Automation Alley, Ann Arbor SPARK, NextEnergy

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: —The New York Times reported two years ago that Chinese automakers were quietly building a presence in Michigan. The latest company to set up shop in Michigan is supplier YFS Automotive Systems, a China-based company with a U.S. headquarters in Gallatin, TN. Last week, YFS … Continue reading “Roundup: YFS Automotive, Automation Alley, Ann Arbor SPARK, NextEnergy”

U-M’s Zell Lurie Fund Invests in Reveal Design Automation

The University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund announced Friday that it has invested $50,000 in Ann Arbor, MI’s Reveal Design Automation, a university spin-out working in the area of semiconductor chip verification. Zaher Andraus, Reveal Design Automation’s CEO, said the company plans to use the money to hire more employees and pursue its first … Continue reading “U-M’s Zell Lurie Fund Invests in Reveal Design Automation”

Automation Alley Puts More Cash Into Civionics, Lighthouse Molding

Automation Alley, the Troy, MI-based technology business association and accelerator, announced today that it has put additional money into two of its incubator clients, Civionics and Lighthouse Molding, through its pre-seed fund. Each company received $25,000 earlier this year when they started in Automation Alley’s 7Cs program to help advanced manufacturing startups grow. Today, Civionics … Continue reading “Automation Alley Puts More Cash Into Civionics, Lighthouse Molding”

#Hack4detroit Seeks to Improve City Services Through Open Data Portal

We started the week out talking about hackathons in Detroit, and we’ll finish the week the same way, although #hack4detroit has a twist: Participants are using the city of Detroit’s open data portal to create apps that will benefit city residents or help streamline operations. Automation Alley’s #hack4detroit event starts at 7 p.m. tonight at … Continue reading “#Hack4detroit Seeks to Improve City Services Through Open Data Portal”

Techstars Mobility Launches with Office at Ford Field, New Partners

At long last, the inaugural session of the Techstars Mobility program officially launched Tuesday from its 10,000-square-foot office at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. Ten companies working on a range of mobility-related products and services will spend the next three months developing their ideas in Detroit, culminating with a demo day on Sept. … Continue reading “Techstars Mobility Launches with Office at Ford Field, New Partners”

Roundup: HelloWorld, Blackstone, MI Celebrates Small Business & More

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —HelloWorld, the digital marketing company formerly known as ePrize, is in the midst of a flurry of changes. A new CEO, Peter DeNunzio, joined the company a few months ago; HelloWorld has also added a new COO, CTO, and CCO in the past six months. … Continue reading “Roundup: HelloWorld, Blackstone, MI Celebrates Small Business & More”

Civionics Wins Cash, Aims to Help Manufacturers Increase Profits

A University of Michigan spinoff startup was the big winner at the 15th Annual Collaboration for Entrepreneurship (ACE) event held in Ann Arbor, MI. Ten startups pitched as part of the ACE Challenge, and Civionics walked away with the $5,000 grand prize thanks to its embedded wireless-sensor technology. “We’re not the typical startup,” says Civionics … Continue reading “Civionics Wins Cash, Aims to Help Manufacturers Increase Profits”

MI’s Tech Industry Still Growing, Automation Alley Report Finds

Southeast Michigan’s tech industry continued to grow in 2014, and tech job creation in the region appears to remain on the rise. That’s according to Automation Alley, the Southeast Michigan business accelerator and association of technology professionals. The group announced the findings from its annual technology industry outlook today at a luncheon in downtown Detroit. The … Continue reading “MI’s Tech Industry Still Growing, Automation Alley Report Finds”

Roundup: U-M, Grand Circus, MTAM, Automation Alley, Delphinius, MBI

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hot spots: —The Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has been named one of the top three graduate entrepreneurship programs in the country for the third year in a row. The rankings are compiled by the Princeton Review and Entrepreneur … Continue reading “Roundup: U-M, Grand Circus, MTAM, Automation Alley, Delphinius, MBI”

MI Roundup: Plymouth Ventures, DTE app, MTRAC awards, Beringea, more

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —Ann Arbor-based Plymouth Ventures has announced the final close for its $60 million Plymouth Venture Partners III (PVPIII) fund. The fund will invest in growth-stage startups headquartered in the Great Lakes region. Managing partner Mark Horne says the fund-raising process for PVPIII took eight months. … Continue reading “MI Roundup: Plymouth Ventures, DTE app, MTRAC awards, Beringea, more”

Automation Alley’s #hackDPL Event Yields New Library App

When the tech and business association Automation Alley opened an office in Detroit last fall, it wanted to find a way to give back to the community. Officials with the Detroit Public Library (DPL) had said to Automation Alley’s director of member relations, Cynthia Hutchison, that they were concerned that the library was behind other … Continue reading “Automation Alley’s #hackDPL Event Yields New Library App”

MI Roundup: BANSEM’s Impact, Versicor, Hatch Detroit, Co-Lab Detroit

Here’s a look at recent news from Michigan’s innovation hubs: —Today, Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU Incubator, and TechTown Detroit announced their collective impact on Michigan’s innovation economy: 7,725 technology jobs and 225 technology companies created. Those companies have gone on to garner $300 million in follow-on investment. After a $3 million grant from … Continue reading “MI Roundup: BANSEM’s Impact, Versicor, Hatch Detroit, Co-Lab Detroit”

Michigan Startups Working to Bridge IT Talent Gap

[Corrected 4/4/14, 6:01 p.m. See below.] Detroit’s shortage of information technology talent is not a new problem, but it does seem to be getting more pronounced as the number of tech startups taking root in Michigan grows. In 2012, Dice.com designated Detroit as the fifth-fastest growing tech city in the nation. And in 2013, Michigan’s … Continue reading “Michigan Startups Working to Bridge IT Talent Gap”

TerraYebo Obtains $150,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e9de9b71-6e55-41c2-9b6d-157e687d734e&Preview=1 Date 5/8/2013 Company Name TerraYebo Mailing Address 31401 Madison Ave Madison Heights, MI 48071 Company Description At TerraYebo, Inc. helping to support systemic change and giving back is at the core of everything we do as a company. We do this by developing enterprise web and mobile solutions designed to create … Continue reading “TerraYebo Obtains $150,000 New Funding”

Stik Secures $2,300,000 Series A Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eda6eb43-d887-48b2-a42f-0149be5b0954&Preview=1 Date 3/5/2013 Company Name Stik Mailing Address 1555 Broadway Detroit, MI 48226 Company Description Stik is bringing authentic consumer reviews to the local professional services market. Stik helps local professionals build their business and reputation, and help consumers find trusted local professionals recommended by their friends. Website http://www.stik.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Stik Secures $2,300,000 Series A Financing”

Detroit Startups Stik.com and UpTo Raise Key Financing Rounds

Detroit’s nascent tech scene got another boost with the announcement today that Stik.com, an online business referral platform that relocated to the Motor City from San Francisco last year, has closed a fundraising round worth $2.3 million. Nathan Labenz, Stik’s co-founder, says that the round was led by Detroit Venture Partners (DVP) with a host of … Continue reading “Detroit Startups Stik.com and UpTo Raise Key Financing Rounds”

U-M’s Frankel Fund Has First Exit, Leads Fusion Coolant’s Series A

University of Michigan’s student-led Frankel Commercialization Fund, in collaboration with the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, announced this week that Arbor Photonics, one of the fund’s portfolio companies, has been acquired by nLIGHT, an industry leader in semiconductor lasers. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. “We’re really pleased for such an early-stage fund … Continue reading “U-M’s Frankel Fund Has First Exit, Leads Fusion Coolant’s Series A”

Fusion Coolant Systems Garners $600,000 Series A Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2730a723-6544-4bdd-a019-8d939c0bdd8a&Preview=1 Date 1/17/2013 Company Name Fusion Coolant Systems Mailing Address 215 West Michigan Ave Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Company Description Fusion Coolant Systems provides an advanced coolant and lubrication system for use in manufacturing which increases production rates and tool life. Today’s metalworking fluids are a toxic mix of oil, water and various … Continue reading “Fusion Coolant Systems Garners $600,000 Series A Funding”

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”

Unitask Software Wants to Make Oracle Users’ Experience Better

Dale Royal, the CEO of Bloomfield Hills, MI-based Unitask Software, is not a man who lets the grass grow under his feet.  In 2001, he  was an executive at Veritas Software but he realized he needed to tend to his homefront,  so, at age 41, he retired. “I had been running a billion-dollar company, but I … Continue reading “Unitask Software Wants to Make Oracle Users’ Experience Better”

NextCAT Awarded $500K Small Business Grant

Detroit-based alternative energy startup NextCAT last week announced it has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the amount of $498,830, bringing NextCAT’s total grant funding to $1.3 million. The company is working to commercialize a class of biofuel catalysts developed at Wayne State University. The … Continue reading “NextCAT Awarded $500K Small Business Grant”

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”

Show Me The Money! Ex-Chrysler CEO Co-founds New $100 Million Fund For Growth/Expansion Startups

Wow. Now that’s what I’m talking about. Automation Alley, a business accelerator based in Troy, MI that helps nurture local startups, today announced the creation of a $100 million fund to back local companies looking to take their fledgling businesses to a higher level. Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda co-founded the fund, called Stage 2 Innovations … Continue reading “Show Me The Money! Ex-Chrysler CEO Co-founds New $100 Million Fund For Growth/Expansion Startups”

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?”

Unitask Is Out to Cut Consulting Costs With Apps for Oracle Business Software

The founders of Unitask aren’t afraid of change. They started a consulting company in Israel, and have since moved to Cleveland, OH, and most recently Bloomfield Hills, MI. And they’ve transitioned their business from a services operation to a software developer. Israeli Navy veterans Michael Segev, Alex Protas, and Yechiel Tushia started their consulting firm … Continue reading “Unitask Is Out to Cut Consulting Costs With Apps for Oracle Business Software”

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”

Automation Alley Chief Named Trade Adviser

Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, the Troy, MI-based technology business association, has been appointed to a trade advisory panel by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. Automation Alley, in a news release, says Rogers will serve on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Information and Communications Technologies, Services, and Electronic Commerce. He will … Continue reading “Automation Alley Chief Named Trade Adviser”

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”

InfoReady Helps Customers Navigate $1 Trillion Grant Market With Search and Collaboration Software

Collaboration software for office workers isn’t new, and neither are technologies for doing refined, targeted Web searches. But Ann Arbor, MI-based InfoReady is combining those elements in a social networking-like interface to create a workflow tool that the company’s president and CEO Bhushan Kulkarni thinks will really shake things up. “I feel that we are … Continue reading “InfoReady Helps Customers Navigate $1 Trillion Grant Market With Search and Collaboration Software”

Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan Offers $1M in Prizes for Entrepreneurs

Today’s launch of a huge $1 million business plan competition in southeast Michigan gives flesh to the ambitious phrases thrown around back in June, when the new regional Business Accelerator Network that is overseeing the competition was hailed by local business leaders as “one of the most catalytic events for entrepreneurial activity and innovation in … Continue reading “Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan Offers $1M in Prizes for Entrepreneurs”

Without a Thriving Detroit, Michigan Cannot Catch that Train to Prosperity

When I attended Wayne State University in Detroit back in the mid-’80s, scattered around downtown Detroit were white pillars that supported… nothing. They looked as though they were part of a kind of ancient Roman ruin—but these pillars were brand new. They were the beginnings of Detroit’s People Mover, a raised monorail that was to … Continue reading “Without a Thriving Detroit, Michigan Cannot Catch that Train to Prosperity”

Automation Alley Gets Defensive

Automation Alley, a Troy, MI-based business association, has opened a defense office at the Macomb-Oakland University INCubator, in Sterling Heights, MI, the group announced today. The office will provide assistance local companies that are looking to work with the military. One  project includes creating an industrial capabilities database to identify new military suppliers. Companies interested … Continue reading “Automation Alley Gets Defensive”

Automation Alley Funds Hybrid Power Trains, Religious Social Networking, and Clean Diesel

Automation Alley, a technology business association based in Troy, MI, has invested $300,000 in Southeast Michigan technology companies, the group announced Thursday. Automation Alley invests a maximum of $250,000 in seed money per company to help them accelerate the growth of their technology-based businesses. Companies receiving funds this time around are: Cargo Solutions Group: $250,000 … Continue reading “Automation Alley Funds Hybrid Power Trains, Religious Social Networking, and Clean Diesel”