Why Investors Are Turning to the Midwest—and How to Keep them Coming

For decades, venture capital investors have targeted the East and West coasts to find and fund their next big startup growth company. The result? Two thirds of VC deals and dollars are currently, as of the first quarter of 2019, held in three states—California, New York, and Massachusetts—in three regions of the U.S. Trailing those … Continue reading “Why Investors Are Turning to the Midwest—and How to Keep them Coming”

New LLamasoft CEO Plans to Exploit Retail, Transportation Disruptions

Even though it’s been around for two decades, Ann Arbor, MI-based LLamasoft is one of the state’s biggest tech startup success stories. Llamasoft says its software optimizes the design of supply chains, enabling large, complex businesses to find ways to improve operations, lower risk, save money, and make faster decisions.The company has 400 employees in … Continue reading “New LLamasoft CEO Plans to Exploit Retail, Transportation Disruptions”

U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize

Midtown Detroit hosted two events this week that are among the biggest in the Southeast Michigan startup community: the Michigan Venture Capital Association’s annual awards gala, and the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, where 36 early-stage tech companies competed for nearly $1 million in cash and prizes, including a $500,000 grand prize. Although both events have … Continue reading “U.P.’s Orbion Space Technology Wins $500K Accelerate Michigan Prize”

Roundup: LLamasoft, TechHire Bootcamp, Application Deadlines Galore

Here’s a look at innovation news you may have missed from around Michigan: —LLamasoft, the Ann Arbor-based developer of supply chain software, announced today that TPG Capital has invested in the company. The specifics of the deal were not disclosed. LLamasoft marks TPG’s second foray into the supply-chain technology space, following its 2016 investment in Transporeon, a … Continue reading “Roundup: LLamasoft, TechHire Bootcamp, Application Deadlines Galore”

Local Orbit Out to Boost Food Supply Chain for Farmers, Institutions

When Ann Arbor, MI’s Local Orbit first took root in 2010, founder and CEO Erika Block wanted a better way to connect local growers and food producers with restaurants and other commercial customers. Six years later, the company has both expanded and refined its focus to keep up with growing customer demand and challenges in … Continue reading “Local Orbit Out to Boost Food Supply Chain for Farmers, Institutions”

Roundup: RetroSense, America’s Greatest Makers, Naturalicious & More

Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Wayne State University and Massachusetts General Hospital spinout company RetroSense Therapeutics has been named one of the nation’s 50 smartest companies by the MIT Technology Review. The biopharmaceutical company based in Ann Arbor closed a $6 million Series B funding round last year to support clinical trials … Continue reading “Roundup: RetroSense, America’s Greatest Makers, Naturalicious & More”

In 2016, Time for Michigan Companies to Play for Long-Term Success

I believe that the most pressing issue for Michigan’s innovation community in 2016 is to think big. When the final numbers come in for 2015, we’ll find that it was a watershed year for fast-growth companies in the state. More venture capital came in than ever before, and more large investments than ever came into … Continue reading “In 2016, Time for Michigan Companies to Play for Long-Term Success”

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”

MI Apps Make Splash in Mobileys, & Other Recent Tech News

Here’s a look at recent news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —Mobile Future recently announced the 12 finalists in its national Mobileys competition honoring innovative mobile apps, products, and services. This year, four Michigan-based companies were among the finalists: Companion, an app developed by University of Michigan students that allows users to keep an eye … Continue reading “MI Apps Make Splash in Mobileys, & Other Recent Tech News”

Goldman Sachs Leads Llamasoft’s $50M Series B Round

Llamasoft, the Ann Arbor, MI-based supply-chain software company, announced Tuesday that it has closed a Series B round valued at $50 million. Goldman Sachs is the round’s sole investor, and it will take a seat on Llamasoft’s board as part of the deal. Toby Brzoznowski, co-founder and executive vice president of Llamasoft, says the company … Continue reading “Goldman Sachs Leads Llamasoft’s $50M Series B Round”

Llamasoft Receives $50,000,000 Series B Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4953a021-1c74-4738-ac7a-63dcbefea335 Date 9/29/2015 Company Name Llamasoft Mailing Address 201 South Main St. 4th Floor Ann Arbor, MI 48104 USA Company Description LLamasoft provides software and expertise to help large organizations design and improve their supply chain network operations. Supply Chain Guru is the leading Supply Chain Design and predictive analytics application available … Continue reading “Llamasoft Receives $50,000,000 Series B Financing Round”

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”

Roundup: NextEnergy, Start Garden, LLamasoft, Atterocor, U-M, More

Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —NextEnergy, the Detroit-based nonprofit driving the development of Michigan’s clean energy sectors, has officially launched NextChallenge, a business competition meant to inspire the development of innovative energy solutions. The challenge will address the unique lighting technology needs of Ford Motor Company and RecoveryPark, a major … Continue reading “Roundup: NextEnergy, Start Garden, LLamasoft, Atterocor, U-M, More”

Ann Arbor SPARK Honors 15 Steadily Growing Michigan Companies

Ann Arbor SPARK, the nonprofit business development organization that offers incubation services to tech-based startups, has announced its FastTrack awards to recognize companies in the region that have demonstrated consistent growth. To be eligible for a FastTrack award, companies were required to have revenue of at least $100,000 in 2010, with an annual growth rate … Continue reading “Ann Arbor SPARK Honors 15 Steadily Growing Michigan Companies”

Llamasoft Continues Push Into Chinese Market With Mengniu Deal

Llamasoft, the Ann Arbor-based supply chain software company, announced this week that it has inked a deal with Mengniu, one of China’s leading dairy producers. Mengniu will use Llamasoft’s Supply Chain Guru product to manage its 20 production plants located throughout China. Rabobank ranked Mengniu the 18th largest dairy producer in the world. The terms … Continue reading “Llamasoft Continues Push Into Chinese Market With Mengniu Deal”

Ann Arbor’s Llamasoft Raises $6M Series A Round

Lllamasoft, the Ann Arbor-based analytics software company, announced this week that it has raised a $6 million Series A round with investments from Ann Arbor-based Augment Ventures, Detroit-based First Step Fund, and MK Capital, which has offices in California, Illinois, and Ann Arbor. “We’ve been on a significant growth path, and we’ve established Llamasoft as … Continue reading “Ann Arbor’s Llamasoft Raises $6M Series A Round”

Llamasoft Lands $6,000,000 Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=25c9e955-8a5b-4068-affa-3a118bd4cf0c&Preview=1 Date 10/25/2012 Company Name Llamasoft Mailing Address 201 South Main St. 4th Floor Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Company Description LLamasoft provides software and expertise to help large organizations design and improve their supply chain network operations. Supply Chain Guru® is the leading Supply Chain Design and predictive analytics application available in … Continue reading “Llamasoft Lands $6,000,000 Series A Funding Round”

DeNovo Sciences Wins Accelerate Michigan’s $500K Grand Prize

Fifty-three companies and 42 angel and investment groups participated in this year’s Accelerate Michigan business plan competition, which just wrapped up Thursday evening with the announcement of contest winners. At stake, according to event organizers, was more than $1 million in cash and prizes. Participants competed for prizes ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 over three … Continue reading “DeNovo Sciences Wins Accelerate Michigan’s $500K Grand Prize”