Features

Innovation News Diagram explaining the Aquaro ASM technology.

Aquaro Histology raises $9.8 million to launch technology automating microscopic tissue study

Studying tissue samples under a microscope is an unusually difficult and dangerous job. Ann Arbor's Aquaro aims to change that.

Feature Story Ashley Thompson at the Ypsilanti Transit Center

What's next for the Ypsilanti Transit Center?

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority recently hosted its first public input meeting on improvements to the nearly 25-year-old facility, and riders have plenty of ideas for the project.

Feature Story Chris Taylor at Ann Arbor City Hall

Nowhere to grow but up? Ann Arbor grapples with solutions to its high-rise problem

Proliferating high-rises in downtown Ann Arbor have been a defining issue in this year's city council elections. How can the city accommodate growth while avoiding urban sprawl?

Feature Story Starfish Early Head Start Infant/Toddler in Inkster

Why all Metro Detroit adults should learn to recognize the symptoms of childhood trauma

Childhood trauma can express itself in many challenging ways. Some Metro Detroit organizations have learned to look beyond bad behavior to consider possible underlying trauma, giving kids a chance to begin recovery.

Innovation News By the Sidewalk founder Aniruddh Gala.

By the Sidewalk food tours offer new way to experience Ann Arbor's culinary scene

Founder Aniruddh Gala, a relative newcomer to Ann Arbor, aims to make his tours appealing to first-time visitors as well as townies.

Innovation News Michigan Corporate Relations Network logo.

U-M tech commercialization programs receive $2.66 million in state funding

The Michigan Corporate Relations Network and Technology Transfer Talent Network will continue their mission of promoting collaboration among state universities and developing technologies into startups.

Innovation News Solartonic cofounders Harry Giles and Brian Tell receive their $5,000 check from Ypsi mayor Amanda Edmonds and Mallory A. Field of Varnum Law.

Pittsfield Township solar lighting company wins Pitch Ypsi $5,000 competition

Solartonic, which has done projects in locations from Detroit to Dallas, is focused on making innovative and attractive-looking solar lighting solutions. 

Development News Panelists Amber Fellows and Aaron Foley with moderator Bryan Foley.

Trio of events invites Ypsi residents to discuss gentrification, economics, and racism

Event organizer Bryan Foley's goal is to start a conversation that allows residents to make themselves heard and listen to what others have to say.

Feature Story One of David Zinn's drawings at Kerrytown Market

10 essential Ann Arborites to follow on social media

From live-Tweeting public board meetings to collegiate sports photos, these local voices are telling the story of Ann Arbor, one post at a time. 

Feature Story Hope Dental Clinic Dentist Denise Toomasian treats client Oscar Diaz

For those in need, Ypsi's Hope Clinic lives up to its name

Founded 30 years ago, the clinic has evolved into a one-stop shop for free medical and dental services, food programs, social work services, and much more. 

Innovation News 10-Minute Walk campaign image.

Ann Arbor joins national "10-minute walk to a park" campaign

Ann Arbor joins 133 other cities and towns in promoting the idea that all residents should live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

Innovation News Zingerman's Candy Manufactory exterior.

Zingerman's to open new retail candy shop this weekend

The grand opening for Zingerman's Candy Manufactory will feature a candy-making demonstration and samples of sweet treats.

Innovation News All Duo employees gather in Ann Arbor for the company's annual kickoff event in 2017.

How empathy carried Duo Security to a $1 billion valuation

Duo raised $70 million in a recent round of financing, placing the company among the small handful of venture-backed private companies worth $1 billion or more. 

Innovation News Contestants at work in the Atomic Games.

Ann Arbor's second annual Atomic Games challenges programmers to build an AI in a weekend

Custom software company Atomic Object hosts the games to identify talented programmers and to occasionally recruit participants who do well.

Innovation News A participant at the Girl Magic event.

Ypsilanti Community Schools hosts "Girl Magic" event to empower middle-school girls

About 90 girls participated in the event, which came together as the result of a collaboration between school staff, businesses, and nonprofits.

Video Ypsilanti Community High School students stand by their mural at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market downtown.

Ypsi students unveil new murals on agriculture, Underground Railroad

Ypsilanti Community High School students learned about more than just art in the process of creating their two new murals at the Ypsilanti District Library and the the Ypsilanti Farmers Market downtown. We stopped by their recent mural unveilings to get the inside story.

Feature Story Alyssa Sook Way Choo

Washtenaw County's immigrants and foreign visitors are "feeling the love." But that's just step one.

Numerous local efforts have been launched in recent months to welcome immigrants and international visitors. We asked some of those individuals for their takes on how our community has treated them and what it could do better.

Feature Story Brad Angle, Melinda Ann O'Neill and Makinley Angle at 17 North

New businesses proliferate on downtown Ypsi's Washington Street

Vacant storefronts have filled rapidly on the two-block downtown stretch of Washington, with eight new businesses opening in the past two years and another seven businesses in the works.

Innovation News Volunteers and cyclists work together at the Ypsi Bike Co-Op.

Ypsi Bike Co-Op nears end of successful first season

The co-op has provided free tune-ups and repairs for 310 bikes since it got started in May at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market in Depot Town, and it's planning to offer more services next year.

Innovation News Entrepreneur of the Year award nominees Jon Oberheide and Dug Song.

4 Ann Arbor firms, individuals among nominees for Michigan Venture Capital Association awards

The annual awards honor people and companies who work to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial community in Michigan.

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.