There is an entrepreneurial revolution happening in Ann Arbor, and it's being driven by college students. This summer, students from the University of Michigan (UM) are working on 31 startups around the clock in TechArb, UM's premier student startup accelerator.
This is a long way from the three teams in TechArb four years ago. Since that time, we've supported nearly 300 student entrepreneurs on 119 teams with notable startups such as
Lecture Tools,
Own Point of Sale,
Are you a Human,
Mobiata,
Backyard Brains, and
Shepherd Intelligence. Teams have raised collectively over $5 million in funding from outside sources and generated revenues in excess of $1 million.
Supported by the
Center for Entrepreneurship, the
Zell Lurie Institute, and the Office of the Vice President of Research, TechArb aims to empower student entrepreneurs across academic disciplines in their pursuit of their entrepreneurial endeavors through training, community, mentoring, networking, training, space, and grants.
TechArb runs two six-month sessions for students starting May 1 (summer session) and Nov. 1 (fall session). The accelerator supports teams in a variety of industries such as software, healthcare, clean technology, applied engineering and manufacturing, consumer products, etc. At the end of each term, we have a showcase where teams demo their products and services to alumni, entrepreneurs, and investors.
For our 8th session of TechArb, which started last month, select teams received grant awards between $5K to 10K to help drive their ventures forward. Some of the notable ventures in the summer session:
Brio Device, LLC | develops airway medical devices with technology to assist first responders who insert breathing tubes for patients in emergencies.
Fetchnotes | a note-taking application that helps get your to dos, ideas, grocery lists and anything you need to remember out of your brain and into your workflow
Legends Card | a college lifestyle card that gives you perks and discounts at all your favorite spot around campus
PicoSpray | develops an electronic fuel injection system with a low enough cost to convert the majority of the 70 million small engines produced each year
EXO Dynamics LLC | helps hospitals protect their surgeons' backs without restricting their performance, through a novel electromechanical brace.
SkySpecs, LLC | provides a low cost and automated solution for monitoring the health of public infrastructure using unmanned aircraft systems
The Beet Box | a restaurant with a purpose – a healthy fast-food service that supports and rewards a healthy lifestyle
Torch Hybrid Marine | revolutionizing the way boats are powered by supplying boat manufacturers with next generation hybrid electric jet propulsion
Warmilu LLC | spreads the warmth with nonelectric and instant heat technology to save infant lives
Wedge | designs for positive social impact with communities and companies in Detroit.
YourCall.F | a web and mobile service that delivers innovative, fan-to-fan sports broadcasting in styles not available on major networks
If you're interested in connecting with our community, follow us on twitter @umtecharb or visit our
website.