Southeast Michigan, with its proximity to Canada and top-notch universities, as well as a growing financial technology ecosystem, is well-positioned to be a hub for blockchain businesses. So says Adam Zientarski, policy director at the Detroit Blockchain Center. His organization, in partnership with the FinTech Consortium and Detroit FinTech Bay, will host the inaugural Detroit … Continue reading “Fintech Pitchfest Highlights Detroit’s Blockchain & Crypto Activity”
Tag: NextEnergy
Detroit Urban Solutions Seeks to Amplify the Regional Tech Ecosystem
TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University, and NextEnergy have formed a new consortium to advance the Motor City’s tech ecosystem and apply new innovations to tough civic challenges. Called Detroit Urban Solutions, the consortium will focus primarily on mobility, digital health, civic, and smart city technologies. We called Paul Riser Jr., who is stepping down from … Continue reading “Detroit Urban Solutions Seeks to Amplify the Regional Tech Ecosystem”
Roundup: Riser’s New Role, STEM Summit, U-M AV News, and More
Let’s catch up on Michigan’s latest innovation news: —[Clarification, 2/11/19, 9:31 p.m.; see below.] Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI 12) announced that the University of Michigan will receive a $2.5 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers program to continue funding for the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation. … Continue reading “Roundup: Riser’s New Role, STEM Summit, U-M AV News, and More”
Roundup, Part Two: Venture Fellows, IoT Pitch Contest, Clinc, More
On Tuesday, we published a roundup of innovation briefs from across the state. The year has gotten off to such a busy start that we’re back with part two. Without further ado, here’s a look at Michigan’s recent technology news: —Last month, the Michigan Venture Capital Association kicked off its annual Venture Fellows program, which matches … Continue reading “Roundup, Part Two: Venture Fellows, IoT Pitch Contest, Clinc, More”
Roundup, Part One: NextEnergy, Application Deadlines, U-M News, More
Even though we’re hardly two months into the year, 2018 has already been packed with local innovation news. In fact, we have so much material that we’re splitting this roundup into two parts; the second part will run later this week. Here’s a look at some of the recent tech news unfolding across Michigan: — … Continue reading “Roundup, Part One: NextEnergy, Application Deadlines, U-M News, More”
Roundup: NextChallenge Winners, Strata Oncology Trial, MCWT & More
What a long, strange year it’s been, with no shortage of news coming out of the technology sector. As we say goodbye to 2017, here’s a final roundup of innovation news from around the state: —Detroit cleantech incubator NextEnergy, in partnership with Denso, DTE Energy, and Wells Fargo, has named Ontario’s SmartCone as the winner of the … Continue reading “Roundup: NextChallenge Winners, Strata Oncology Trial, MCWT & More”
MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges
For roughly the past five years, Detroit’s tech startup ecosystem has been growing at a rapid pace. However, accounts have differed as to just how much growth has occurred. A recent report by the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) attempts to shine a light on the subject while detailing a couple of key findings. According … Continue reading “MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges”
VentureWell Brings Med Tech Acceleration Program to TechTown Detroit
When TechTown Detroit co-hosted a med health summit earlier this year, it was intended to foster collaboration, highlight companies in the sector, and break down silos to advance the regional ecosystem. That work is starting to pay off. VentureWell , the Hadley, MA-based nonprofit med tech accelerator, was in Detroit earlier this summer to run … Continue reading “VentureWell Brings Med Tech Acceleration Program to TechTown Detroit”
NextEnergy Seeks I-Corps Energy & Transportation Program Applicants
With mobility and smart city technologies growing at a rapid pace, Detroit-based cleantech incubator NextEnergy and the University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship are seeking applicants for an upcoming I-Corps training program. The I-Corps program is designed to help entrepreneurs and researchers (both corporate and academic) commercialize their innovations. NextEnergy’s customized curriculum will focus on … Continue reading “NextEnergy Seeks I-Corps Energy & Transportation Program Applicants”
Callida Energy, RideHop Win NextEnergy’s Smart Cities Challenge
As autonomous technologies, the Internet of Things, and big data begin to shape the way we interact with the world around us, we’ll have more technological tools to tackle challenges related to safety, mobility, emissions, accessibility, and congestion. Last week, those tools were on display as part of Detroit nonprofit NextEnergy‘s 2016 Smart Cities competition … Continue reading “Callida Energy, RideHop Win NextEnergy’s Smart Cities Challenge”
Roundup: NextChallenge, Ranker, QuantumShift, Comcast, MBDA & More
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —NextEnergy, Denso, Wells Fargo, and DTE Energy are seeking hardware and software solutions to unmet challenges facing urban areas for NextChallenge: Smart Cities, a global competition designed to inspire innovative technology in smart parking, smart transportation, smart infrastructure, and smart buildings. Submissions will be accepted … Continue reading “Roundup: NextChallenge, Ranker, QuantumShift, Comcast, MBDA & More”
Roundup: Ford, SPLT, Digital Divas, Invest Michigan, & More
Here’s a look at startup and innovation news from around Michigan: —Ford recently began a 10-year transformation of its Dearborn headquarters with the goal of creating a “modern, green, and high-tech campus to foster innovation and help drive the company’s transition to an auto and a mobility company,” according to a press release. The 60-year-old … Continue reading “Roundup: Ford, SPLT, Digital Divas, Invest Michigan, & More”
Inventev Nabs $500K Grant to Test Mobile Power Generation Technology
Inventev, the Detroit-based cleantech startup working on mobile power generation via plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architecture, announced Monday that it has snagged a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Inventev’s CEO and founder, Dave Stenson, said the company will use the money to model, develop, and test key elements of its drive … Continue reading “Inventev Nabs $500K Grant to Test Mobile Power Generation Technology”
New NEI Director Wants Detroit to Lead Inclusive Economic Development
The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI), one of the nation’s largest philanthropic partnerships focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, announced new executive director Pamela Lewis this week. Lewis replaces longtime director David Egner, who stepped down from NEI in December to take over as the president and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. … Continue reading “New NEI Director Wants Detroit to Lead Inclusive Economic Development”
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”
$90M Acquisition of Sakti3 One of Year’s Biggest Cleantech Deals
Last year, Dyson—the global manufacturer of vacuum cleaners, fans, hand dryers, and other products—announced it had invested $15 million in Ann Arbor, MI-based advanced battery company Sakti3. Wednesday, the University of Michigan announced the spinout startup has been acquired by Dyson for $90 million. Makers of consumer goods are hungry for more powerful battery technology … Continue reading “$90M Acquisition of Sakti3 One of Year’s Biggest Cleantech Deals”
Roundup: Arboretum Ventures, NEI, U-M, Pegasystems, MTRAC & More
What’s cooking in Michigan’s innovation ecosystem? A lot, this time of year. Here’s a look at news from around the state: —Arboretum Ventures, the Ann Arbor-based healthcare venture capital firm, has closed its fourth fund, with commitments totaling $220 million. This nearly doubles the firm’s capital under management to $450 million. According to the firm, … Continue reading “Roundup: Arboretum Ventures, NEI, U-M, Pegasystems, MTRAC & More”
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”
Sakti3, NextEnergy Represent MI at First-Ever White House Demo Day
Xconomist Ann Marie Sastry, founder of the Ann Arbor, MI-based advanced battery startup Sakti3, has collected many accolades during her career. But this week might have been the first time she got an in-person “atta girl” from the leader of the free world. Sastry was in Washington, DC, Tuesday for the first-ever White House Demo … Continue reading “Sakti3, NextEnergy Represent MI at First-Ever White House Demo Day”
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”
MI Roundup: NextEnergy, Stratos, URC, Vectorform, Comcast
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —NextEnergy, the Detroit-based nonprofit accelerating advanced energy technologies, has awarded a total of $295,000 to three companies as part of the Michigan Accelerating Technology (MATch) Energy Grant program. Navitas Advanced Solutions Group, from Ann Arbor, received $20,000 to support research on new electrode coating and … Continue reading “MI Roundup: NextEnergy, Stratos, URC, Vectorform, Comcast”
Four Midwestern Startups Win Global Auto Tech Contest at SAE Congress
As part of the SAE World Congress held in Detroit this week, the seventh annual Global Automotive Innovation Challenge was held in partnership with the MIT Alliance of Michigan and NextEnergy. The goal of the challenge was to bring new innovations to the industry, which has a notoriously long and often secretive product development cycle. … Continue reading “Four Midwestern Startups Win Global Auto Tech Contest at SAE Congress”
NextEnergy, U-M Gear Up for 2nd Energy and Transportation Bootcamp
When the Steve Blank-designed I-Corps program was started by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2012, its purpose was to teach university researchers to think like entrepreneurs and help them bring their inventions to market. The University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship heads the state’s I-Corps program, and now it has renewed a partnership with … Continue reading “NextEnergy, U-M Gear Up for 2nd Energy and Transportation Bootcamp”
Roundup: U-M, NextEnergy, Blackstone LaunchPad, Rockwell Medical & More
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation hubs: —The University of Michigan is constructing a 32-acre mini-city to test driverless vehicles on the northern part ofcampus. Called M City, it will include a network of roads with up to five lanes, intersections, roundabouts, traffic signs and signals, sidewalks, bus facilities, benches, simulated buildings, … Continue reading “Roundup: U-M, NextEnergy, Blackstone LaunchPad, Rockwell Medical & 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”
Roundup: Upwardly Global, BoostUp, Jacapps, Quicken Loans, Sakti3
Here’s a look at news from around Michigan’s innovation ecosystem: —On June 20, we published an article in which Steve Tobocman, director of Global Detroit, predicted that Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan would soon announce new “immigration reform strategies.” On June 23, the city did indeed announce that the San Francisco-based nonprofit Upwardly Global has opened … Continue reading “Roundup: Upwardly Global, BoostUp, Jacapps, Quicken Loans, Sakti3”
MI’s Power Electronics Industry Collaborative Snags $500K Award
Today, NextEnergy announced that the Power Electronics Industry Collaborative (PEIC) has been awarded a two-year, $500,000 grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The award was given as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia, or AMTech, program to fund the PEIC’s efforts toward strengthening the domestic power electronics cluster and supply … Continue reading “MI’s Power Electronics Industry Collaborative Snags $500K Award”
Roundup: Motozuma Opens Detroit Office, WSU Student Ventures Snag Funding
A few items to catch up on around town: —Motozuma has reportedly opened up an office in Detroit. The Naperville, IL-based startup allows users to set up free online savings accounts where they can put money towards a new car and invite friends and family to help contribute. Motozuma users are rewarded for their savings … Continue reading “Roundup: Motozuma Opens Detroit Office, WSU Student Ventures Snag Funding”
NextEnergy Awards $10K to Two Advanced Energy Companies
NextEnergy, a Detroit-based non-profit dedicated to incubating advanced energy technology, announced last week that it has awarded $10,000 in Advanced Energy Innovation awards to two southeast Michigan companies, Inmatech and Arborlight. The awards were presented last month during the Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest event. Inmatech, based in Ann Arbor, is a startup focused on developing new … Continue reading “NextEnergy Awards $10K to Two Advanced Energy Companies”
Wayne State’s Warrior Fund Invests in Four Student Ventures
Late last month, student-run startups from the Blackstone LaunchPad incubator gathered for pitch competition on the campus of Wayne State University (WSU). The startups were able to pitch for up to $5,000 in funding from the Warrior Fund, WSU’s pre-seed fund to support student tech startups. Blackstone, which operates on the campuses of WSU and … Continue reading “Wayne State’s Warrior Fund Invests in Four Student Ventures”
NextEnergy, MEDC Launch Michigan Accelerating Technologies Grant
On Dec. 1, the Detroit-based nonprofit NextEnergy launched the new Michigan Accelerating Technologies Energy Grant (MATch) program, a three-year initiative funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It’s the latest tool in the state’s arsenal to help Michigan companies in the advanced energy sector compete for federal research and development dollars. A similar effort directed … Continue reading “NextEnergy, MEDC Launch Michigan Accelerating Technologies Grant”
Michigan Venture Fellows Program Makes Inaugural Placements
The Michigan Venture Capital Association has placed four fellows from the inaugural class of its Michigan Venture Fellows Program. Sam Hogg has joined the Kalamazoo office of Open Prairie Ventures; Jared Stasik has joined Detroit Venture Partners; William Blake has joined Farmington Hills-based Beringea; and Linda Chamberlain has joined the Grand Rapids-based Michigan Accelerator Fund. Funded last November … Continue reading “Michigan Venture Fellows Program Makes Inaugural Placements”
Detroit Leading U.S. Development of New Vehicle-to-Grid Technology
It’s no secret that auto manufacturers, battery manufacturers, government officials, and champions of renewable energy everywhere are disappointed by the slow rate of consumer adoption when it comes to electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. But imagine how that might change if consumers could earn money from their electric cars. That concept, … Continue reading “Detroit Leading U.S. Development of New Vehicle-to-Grid Technology”
Power Panel Brings Solar Manufacturing to Detroit
Solar panel manufacturing in Detroit? I didn’t know it either until I received an e-mail from Adam Stratton, Power Panel‘s vice president of business development. An affable Canadian, he invited me out to the company’s manufacturing facility on the far western edge of the city, in a corner of Detroit I had yet to visit. … Continue reading “Power Panel Brings Solar Manufacturing to Detroit”
Hydroelectricity Without Turbines or Dams? Vortex Hydro Energy Says It’s All About the VIV
What if you could generate hydroelectric power without turbines, propellers or dams—but by simply harnessing the current from the water the generator is placed in? According to Ann Arbor, MI-based startup Vortex Hydro Energy, thanks to a product developed by University of Michigan professor Michael Bernitsas, you can. Last decade, Bernitsas was attempting to build … Continue reading “Hydroelectricity Without Turbines or Dams? Vortex Hydro Energy Says It’s All About the VIV”
Huron River Ventures: Locked, Loaded, and Ready to Invest In Cleantech
The boys are back in town. Fresh from the high finance worlds of Chicago and New York, University of Michigan grads Tim Streit and Ryan Waddington have returned to the state to launch Huron River Ventures (HRV), a $15 million fund aimed squarely at cleantech startups. HRV has so far raised half of the money … Continue reading “Huron River Ventures: Locked, Loaded, and Ready to Invest In Cleantech”
Countdown to Michigan 2031: All In On Cleantech
Michigan may have potential in medical devices and software but in the end, the state’s high tech future, for better for worse, is really tied to cleantech. For one thing, it offers the most natural and logical extension of Michigan’s core expertise in automobiles/manufacturing, experts say. Think lithium batteries, electric cars, next generation engines equipped … Continue reading “Countdown to Michigan 2031: All In On Cleantech”
As Auto Industry Goes Electric, Michigan Startup Wants to Dot Nation with PEP Stations
As if to place an exclamation point on the electrification of the auto industry, the Chevy Volt was named the North American Car of the Year yesterday at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. But many here in Detroit are wondering when the missing pieces to this fast-approaching Auto Industry 2.0 are going to … Continue reading “As Auto Industry Goes Electric, Michigan Startup Wants to Dot Nation with PEP Stations”
Detroit’s NextEnergy Charges Ahead With First Michigan Power Station in Electric Vehicle Program
A common refrain among skeptics of electric vehicles is that there’s a “lack of infrastructure” to support their widespread adoption. On Thursday, Detroit will see a what could be the beginning of the end of that circumstance when NextEnergy introduces Michigan’s first ChargePoint America electric vehicle charging station. ChargePoint America is a program sponsored by … Continue reading “Detroit’s NextEnergy Charges Ahead With First Michigan Power Station in Electric Vehicle Program”