Roundup: QL Demo Day, Millendo Therapeutics, Strata Oncology, More

—Millendo Therapeutics, an Ann Arbor-based biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for rare diseases, has initiated a Phase 2b/3 clinical study investigating livoletide (AZP-531) in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug on food-related behaviors—primarily hyperphagia, the excessive hunger which is a hallmark of the disease—in Prader-Willi patients. The … Continue reading “Roundup: QL Demo Day, Millendo Therapeutics, Strata Oncology, More”

U-M’s Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked Best in U.S.

The University of Michigan has spent the better part of a decade beefing up classes and programs that teach students how to start and run their own companies, and those efforts appear to be paying off. Earlier this month, Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine rated U-M as the best undergraduate program for entrepreneurship in the … Continue reading “U-M’s Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Ranked Best in U.S.”

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”

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”

Distil’s Are You a Human Acquisition Is Big Win for Tech Community

Detroit’s nascent tech community got a significant validation today as Silicon Valley cybersecurity company Distil Networks announced it has acquired homegrown, Dan Gilbert-backed startup Are You a Human. The specific terms and the monetary value of the deal were not disclosed, but Distil says it plans to open a new office in Detroit as a … Continue reading “Distil’s Are You a Human Acquisition Is Big Win for Tech Community”

Michigan’s Social Venture Fund Invests in Querium, Austin Edtech Firm

Austin—Edtech startup Querium has received an early stage bridge round of funds from the University of Michigan’s Social Venture Fund, among other investors. Querium, which uses artificial intelligence to provide students with step-by-step coaching in math, science, and engineering courses, raised $366,000 of a $720,000 convertible note from 10 investors. The Social Venture Fund, a … Continue reading “Michigan’s Social Venture Fund Invests in Querium, Austin Edtech Firm”

Roundup: MCWT, Tetra Discovery, Entrepreneurs of Color Fund & More

Here’s a look at tech, startup, and innovation news from around Michigan: —The Michigan Council of Women in Technology (MCWT) held its 10th annual website design competition for girls in high school earlier this month. Twelve student finalists presented their sites to a panel of IT executives serving as judges. A record number of competitors … Continue reading “Roundup: MCWT, Tetra Discovery, Entrepreneurs of Color Fund & More”

U-M Competition Helps Earliest Stage Startups Refine Business Models

The Michigan Business Challenge, a four-month business plan competition sponsored by the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Institute, kicks off today in Ann Arbor. Student teams will compete for $60,000, gaining valuable feedback and broadening networks along the way. And the public is invited to watch at every step. Tim Faley, managing director of the institute … Continue reading “U-M Competition Helps Earliest Stage Startups Refine Business Models”