Are you a healthcare technology startup based in Southeast Michigan or Southwest Ontario? If so, you’re invited to attend a one-day-only meeting to connect with representatives from the US Dept. of Health and Human Services, who will be at TechTown Detroit, 440 Burroughs St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 15. MedHealth Startup … Continue reading “Healthtech Startups: Connect with HHS Officials in Detroit on July 15”
Tag: TechTown Detroit
Roundup: Code Jam Detroit, League of Legends, Genomenon, MTRAC, More
As summer tries to make itself known between long bouts of rain, Michigan’s entrepreneurs have been busy dreaming up new products, launching programs, adding new personnel, and more. Read on for details. —Tune into a live webinar at 1 p.m. ET today from Meeting of the Minds called “When Machines Do Everything in Smart Cities: … Continue reading “Roundup: Code Jam Detroit, League of Legends, Genomenon, MTRAC, More”
Roundup: Strata Oncology, Genomenon, Gilbert Family Foundation, More
Spring is always a busy time for Michigan’s innovation community, so let’s catch up on recent tech and entrepreneurial news below: —Last year, we reported on the Gilbert Family Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert and his wife Jennifer, and its initiative to develop gene therapy treatments for neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). … Continue reading “Roundup: Strata Oncology, Genomenon, Gilbert Family Foundation, More”
Gener8tor, Motown Team to Launch Summer Music Accelerators in Detroit
Name a genre of music and there’s probably a Detroiter who innovated it. Punk rock? Death, Iggy Pop, and the MC5. Hip-hop? J Dilla. Techno? The Belleville Three. Blues? John Lee Hooker. Rock? The White Stripes. Gospel? Aretha Franklin. And, of course, where would modern R&B and pop be without Motown? Detroit has always been … Continue reading “Gener8tor, Motown Team to Launch Summer Music Accelerators in Detroit”
Roundup: MiSpringboard, Free QL Demo Day Help, DetroitEd411 & More
Let’s catch up on the latest startup and innovation news from around Michigan: —Birmingham-based Pairaphrase, a startup selling translation software that it says provides users more security and privacy than competing products, such as Google Translate, has won a grant from the state of Michigan. The company did not disclose the amount of the grant … Continue reading “Roundup: MiSpringboard, Free QL Demo Day Help, DetroitEd411 & More”
Erie Hack Aims to Solve Lake’s Challenges with Tech-Driven Solutions
Even though Michigan is surrounded by one of the world’s most abundant sources of freshwater, it’s still plagued by water-related challenges, such as the Flint water crisis, high lead levels in the water at Detroit public schools, and PFAS contamination. And with the Trump administration looking to cut federal funding for Great Lakes water restoration … Continue reading “Erie Hack Aims to Solve Lake’s Challenges with Tech-Driven Solutions”
Roundup: Personnel Moves, MedHealth Summit, Genomenon, TechTown, More
Let’s catch up on news from around Michigan’s innovation clusters: —The Midwest Growth Capital Symposium, held just outside of Ann Arbor on May 14-15, is in search of companies in the life sciences and tech sectors to pitch investors. The 36 selected companies will each have 10 minutes to present to an audience of potential … Continue reading “Roundup: Personnel Moves, MedHealth Summit, Genomenon, TechTown, More”
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”
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: Erie Hack, MedHealth Summit, PlanetM, DTX Detroit, WMU
Now that the holidays are over—heck, January is almost over—Michigan’s innovation hubs are hard at work. Here is a selection of recent tech news from around the state: —Do you wonder what the deal is with driverless cars? Do you have questions as a consumer about safety, technology, or cost? The University of Michigan will … Continue reading “Roundup: Erie Hack, MedHealth Summit, PlanetM, DTX Detroit, WMU”
No Pipeline Problem: Backstage Capital’s Detroit Plans Spark Excitement
In September, Backstage Capital, a venture investment firm seeding early-stage startups led by women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community, launched a $36 million fund to help support black women founders. At the same time, managing partner Arlan Hamilton said the Los Angeles-based firm would run accelerators in four cities: London, Philadelphia, … Continue reading “No Pipeline Problem: Backstage Capital’s Detroit Plans Spark Excitement”
Peerstachio Aims to Help College Students Access Help From Classmates
Scarlett Ong Rui Chern, an international student attending the University of Michigan, says she initially felt a little discombobulated by the college experience. “I had a rough first year,” she admits. What she wanted back then was an on-demand network of peer advisors she could call on for help. Not finding exactly what she was … Continue reading “Peerstachio Aims to Help College Students Access Help From Classmates”
AfroTech: Could Detroit Be the Black Tech Capital of the Country?
Take a walk through the downtown core and it’s obvious the Motor City has mounted a comeback. Downtown Detroit is unquestionably benefitting from significant private investment, and witnessing its growth in the past decade has been truly impressive: Tech companies large and small have established offices here, buildings have been carefully renovated, the landscaping has … Continue reading “AfroTech: Could Detroit Be the Black Tech Capital of the Country?”
Roundup: Accelerate Michigan, U-M, Tetra Discovery Partners & More
The grind never stops in Michigan’s innovation community, even when the weather is perfect for playing hooky. Here’s a look at recent tech news from around the state: —The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, the state’s largest startup pitch contest with up to $1 million in cash and prizes at stake, is now accepting applications for … Continue reading “Roundup: Accelerate Michigan, U-M, Tetra Discovery Partners & More”
Roundup: Startup Week Detroit, Grand Circus, MWCT, Duo Security, More
Summer is here, and with it, plenty of tech news from across Michigan. Startup Week Detroit kicks off on Monday, while other programs have fast-approaching application deadlines; grants have been awarded; milestones have been achieved; and new hires have been announced. Read on for details. —Techstars Startup Week Detroit, described by organizers as a weeklong … Continue reading “Roundup: Startup Week Detroit, Grand Circus, MWCT, Duo Security, 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”
Microsoft to Provide Backing for Gener8tor’s Detroit Programs
Microsoft has expanded its partnership with Gener8tor, an organization that holds training programs for entrepreneurs in several Midwestern states, to support startups with connections to the Detroit area. Wisconsin-based Gener8tor said that with support from Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]), it will enroll up to 15 companies in free, seed-stage accelerator programs each year. Startups selected to … Continue reading “Microsoft to Provide Backing for Gener8tor’s Detroit Programs”
Jill Ford Scores New Tech Investing Gig with Toyota AI Ventures
Jill Ford, the city of Detroit’s former head of entrepreneurship and innovation, says she was already interested in the mobility field when she landed a new job last month with Toyota AI Ventures, the Silicon Valley-based investment arm of the Toyota Research Institute. “After hearing about Toyota AI Ventures and its mission, I was fascinated by … Continue reading “Jill Ford Scores New Tech Investing Gig with Toyota AI Ventures”
WSU’s New Innovation Hub Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship, Engagement
David Tarver is many things: a former telecom engineer with Bell Labs who left to start his own born-in-the-basement company that later sold for $30 million, author of the book “Proving Ground,” founder of the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative, a University of Michigan professor, and all-around booster and mentor for Southeast Michigan’s startup ecosystem. In July, he took … Continue reading “WSU’s New Innovation Hub Aims to Boost Entrepreneurship, Engagement”
Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More
It has been a busy fall in Michigan, full of local tech and innovation news. Here’s a look at some of the recent announcements: —Earlier this month, TechTown Detroit hosted the Toast of the Town event to honor winners of its Salute awards, which recognize the best and brightest in the local startup ecosystem. The … Continue reading “Roundup: TechTown Awards, MCWT Competition, Detroit Initiatives, More”
New Ford Engagement Center to Focus on STEAM Skills, Economic Growth
In 2015, the first Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) opened in Southwest Detroit to provide a place outside of the downtown area for people to learn new skills and develop new talents. A heavy focus was put on programs that involved STEAM—that’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) plus an “A” for arts—and economic … Continue reading “New Ford Engagement Center to Focus on STEAM Skills, Economic Growth”
Curious About Angel Investing? Experts Offer Perspective
Startup companies are reshaping many parts of our nation—Detroit included. The city is transforming itself into a hub for digital manufacturing, self-driving cars, and automotive software and technologies. External attention on Detroit is ramping up, as organizations like Techstars Mobility raise the region’s profile and events like Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest tour, taking … Continue reading “Curious About Angel Investing? Experts Offer Perspective”
Roundup: Kyyba Pitch Club, Hygieia, W. Michigan Startup Data & More
Here’s a look at startup news, business competition deadlines, new products, and more from around Michigan’s tech ecosystem: —Detroit’s WeWork location will host UPS’s X-Port Challenge, where startups can pitch their products or solutions and win up to $10,000 in export shipping credits. Each regional winner will then have the opportunity to participate in a … Continue reading “Roundup: Kyyba Pitch Club, Hygieia, W. Michigan Startup Data & More”
CarePRN App Helps Families Find Home Health Workers, Avoid Burnout
On November 15, 2014, my life was turned upside down—but that was nothing compared to what my father was going through. That day, he woke up from back surgery with terrifying hallucinations, and started showing signs of psychosis and paranoia that didn’t go away. Instead, it got worse. As he bounced back and forth between … Continue reading “CarePRN App Helps Families Find Home Health Workers, Avoid Burnout”
Akadeum Scores $1.5M to Advance Microbubble Cell-Sorting Technology
Akadeum Life Sciences, a cell-sorting startup based in Ann Arbor, MI, has raised nearly $1.5 million in new capital from a mix of Midwestern and Silicon Valley investors. The round was led by Belmont, CA’s BioInfleXion Point Partners, with contributions from 5 Prime Ventures, the University of Michigan’s MINTS program, Invest Detroit, eLab Ventures, and … Continue reading “Akadeum Scores $1.5M to Advance Microbubble Cell-Sorting Technology”
Roundup: Grand Circus, STEM Initiatives, and a Lot of Cybersecurity
—Grand Circus, the coding school with campuses in downtown Detroit and Grand Rapids, is partnering with Facebook to offer a front-end developer bootcamp in October. The training course will combine Grand Circus’ front-end curriculum with React, an open-source JavaScript platform. Successful applicants will receive full scholarships and training in HTML5/CSS3, JavaSript, jQuery, React, Node.js, NPM, AJAX, … Continue reading “Roundup: Grand Circus, STEM Initiatives, and a Lot of Cybersecurity”
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”
MI Roundup: Court Innovations, A2 Tech Trek, SoccerStub, and More
Here’s a look at recent innovation news from around the state: —Ann Arbor-based Court Innovations, a startup spun out of the University of Michigan’s law school, has closed on a $1.8 million funding round. The round was led by Belle Michigan Fund, with contributions from Northern Michigan Angels, Michigan Angel Fund, U-M’s student-led Social Venture Fund, … Continue reading “MI Roundup: Court Innovations, A2 Tech Trek, SoccerStub, and More”
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”
Hacking Health: What Does It Take to Build a Med Tech Ecosystem?
Regional healthcare organizations, IT experts, clinicians, and entrepreneurs will spend the weekend at TechTown Detroit for the third annual Hacking Health event, which is designed to break open silos and inspire new collaborations between med tech innovators on both sides of the Detroit River. Attendees of the weekend hackathon, hosted by TechTown and Ontario’s WEtech … Continue reading “Hacking Health: What Does It Take to Build a Med Tech Ecosystem?”
Roundup: Naturalicious, Ford STEAM Lab, MedHealth Summit & More
Here’s a look at recent tech and innovation news from around Michigan: —Gwen Jimmere, founder of Detroit-based beauty startup Naturalicious, has been named one of the 100 most influential African Americans in the country by The Root. Jimmere started the company in 2013 out of her home in Canton. A single mother who had recently … Continue reading “Roundup: Naturalicious, Ford STEAM Lab, MedHealth Summit & More”
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”
NPR Report Highlights Detroit-Based Sentinl’s Smart Gun Technology
Amid the fallout following a mass shooting in Orlando, FL, earlier this month, the political discourse has turned once again to gun control. As I type this, National Public Radio is reporting that 30 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives are staging a sit-in on the floor of the their chamber to demand … Continue reading “NPR Report Highlights Detroit-Based Sentinl’s Smart Gun Technology”
Roundup: ManagedWay, RVCF, TechTown Detroit, PatientPing, & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —ManagedWay, the provider of cloud computing, fiber optic Internet, and colocation services, has opened a new 45,000-square-foot data center in Troy. In a press release, the company described the new facility as incorporating the latest advancements for business reliability, security, and efficiency. ManagedWay now operates two … Continue reading “Roundup: ManagedWay, RVCF, TechTown Detroit, PatientPing, & More”
Pro:Up Aims to Connect Kids to Life-Changing Career Opportunities
When Pro:Up CEO Justine Sheu and her co-founders were working as college guidance counselors in the troubled Detroit Public School system, they noticed how crippling the perceived lack of opportunities could be to the students they worked with. Kids from low-income families or ones that hadn’t yet sent a member to college seemed especially underexposed … Continue reading “Pro:Up Aims to Connect Kids to Life-Changing Career Opportunities”
Hacking Health, DMI Hope to Strengthen Detroit’s Health IT Ecosystem
Detroit-area clinicians, healthcare organizations, health IT startups, and others are gathering at the University of Windsor in Ontario Friday for the second annual Hacking Health event, which is designed to break down barriers and inspire innovative collaborations between the health-tech ecosystems on both sides of the Detroit River. WEtech Alliance, TechTown Detroit, and the EPICentre … Continue reading “Hacking Health, DMI Hope to Strengthen Detroit’s Health IT Ecosystem”
Front Door Program Helps Startups Access WSU’s Business Resources
Tucked inside the building that houses TechTown Detroit is the office of Wayne State University’s Front Door for Business Engagement program, which connects local companies to WSU’s various resources—research assistance, access to cutting-edge or highly specialized equipment, student interns, and more. Established in 2012, the Front Door program is supported by WSU, the New Economy … Continue reading “Front Door Program Helps Startups Access WSU’s Business Resources”
C-STEM Midwest Challenge Designed to Bolster Tech Talent Pipeline
Detroit’s Cobo Center will host the C-STEM Midwest Challenge tomorrow, a competition for PreK-12 students meant to engage them in communications, science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on projects. C-STEM‘s founder, Reagan Flowers, said exposing kids to STEM early is key to bolstering the tech talent pipeline. Flowers is a Detroit native. She spent her … Continue reading “C-STEM Midwest Challenge Designed to Bolster Tech Talent Pipeline”
Roundup: Swift Biosciences, ONL, Application Deadlines, & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Challenge Detroit, a leadership and professional development program that takes fellows from around the country and places them at a local partner company for a year, is now accepting applications for its 2016-2017 cohort. For the first time since the program’s inception in 2012, Detroit-area companies … Continue reading “Roundup: Swift Biosciences, ONL, Application Deadlines, & 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”
Xconomy Unconference Fosters Honest Discussion Despite Divisive Era
Last Thursday, Xconomy hosted an unconference-style gathering at TechTown Detroit, and we invited folks from the Motor City and Ann Arbor to join us for a discussion about how we might break down the barriers between the two cities to further the region as a whole. It was the second event we held this year … Continue reading “Xconomy Unconference Fosters Honest Discussion Despite Divisive Era”
U-M to Help Lead NSF-Funded Regional Big Data Center
The University of Michigan will help direct a country-wide big data research and commercialization effort as part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative announced earlier this month. U-M will lead the new Midwest Big Data Innovation Hub, one of four hubs the NSF has set up across the United States, with the University of … Continue reading “U-M to Help Lead NSF-Funded Regional Big Data Center”
Big Changes Coming to Bizdom’s Detroit Accelerator
I was at a gathering last week when I first heard the rumors: Bizdom, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert’s startup accelerator in downtown Detroit, was supposedly closing its doors. Details were scarce among partygoers, but more than one journalist I talked to said the incubator was going to wind down operations, a plan seemingly confirmed … Continue reading “Big Changes Coming to Bizdom’s Detroit Accelerator”