Source: Sam Short, The Beer Grotto Writer: Natalie Burg

Estrakon has been notching double- and triple-digit gains in the recent years and is collecting its fair share of awards hardware to show for it. The Ann Arbor-based LED sign manufacturer has been named an Ann Arbor SPARK Fast Track award winner this fall, making it the second year it has been recognized for its continued growth. "We grew very quickly in 2011," says Philip Ochtman, president & CEO of Estrakon. "I think it was 202 percent. That presented some challenges as we consolidated our gains. We had 20 percent growth in 2012 and 40 percent in 2013. We are targeting 80 percent growth in 2014." Helping fuel this growth is world-wide demand for more energy-efficient products, and LED lights are the most-efficient light system on the market. The company has also expanded its product lineup, moving into digital signage systems and creating software that allows for remote control of them. It is now looking at adding some outdoor signage products in 2014. "We are now at 15 different products," Ochtman says. That has allowed Estrakon to hire four people over the last year, including professionals in financial controller, design, sales and administrative work. It currently has a staff of 30 employees and one intern. It also recently opened a satellite office in England. Source: Philip Ochtman, president & CEO of Estrakon Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Applied Engineering Technologies has scored a $38,000 grant from the state of Michigan to further the development of its wastewater-treatment technology. The Ann Arbor-based company has secured five patents on its technology that helps wastewater treatment centers clean dirty water in a more efficient manner. "It's a process-patent technology where we use different processes to treat storm water," says Saad Ghalib, president & founder of Applied Engineering Technologies. Applied Engineering Technologies installed its first system in Dearborn a few years ago. It is now dealing with three cities and is fielding interest from government agencies in England and South Korea. That interest has led the company to begin raising some seed capital. It hopes to closed on a $2 million Series A round next year. That money will help them to continue to develop the technology and add to their staff of four employees and two independent contractors. Ghalib is currently looking to add three people to the firm’s staff right now. "We need several people," Ghalib says. "We need management and sales people and engineers." Source: Saad Ghalib, president & founder of Applied Engineering Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

FamilyMint, a financial literacy startup, is gearing up to take its workbook for middle school kids national next year. The 4-year-old company launched in Ann Arbor with a web tool that helps parents teach their children about the values of saving and financial planning. The company, which is a client of Ann Arbor SPARK, has evolved overtime, taking on clients in the credit union space. Those clients encouraged FamilyMint to make a workbook for its curriculum, which has taken off over the last year. "That went over well," says Bob Masterson, president of FamilyMint. "It has been very well received in schools." Bank of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor State Bank sponsored the rollout of the workbook in Ann Arbor Public Schools last summer. The Youth Financial Literacy Foundation also came on as a client and are looking at sponsoring a much bigger roll out in 2014. "They are introducing it to schools across the country," Masterson says. "They're testing it right now and plan to do a national rollout next year." Oddly, the workbook is proving to be a more effective tool in reaching kids. It is easy to used and there is a low barrier of entry because it can be held. Compare that to families that might have limited access to the Internet or don’t excel at keeping up with technology trends. "It's more in-line with what the kids are doing and how they are learning," Masterson says. He adds that FamilyMint is looking at creating similar workbooks for elementary and high school students next year. Source: Bob Masterson, president of FamilyMint Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Women in Ann Arbor will soon have a new way to feel lovely. The curated vintage shop Dear Golden is planning to open on Fourth Ave. in  downtown early next year with garments from the 1920s to 1970s personally selected by owner Lauren Naimola for modern women.  "Each garment is selected for it's fashion relevancy and overall quality," she says. "I have built a great customer base in the US as well as other countries." Dear Golden was born online five years ago, and Naimola operated the shop from her home until it grew into a business that required its own space. About two years ago, she moved into an appointment-only location in Ypsilanti, but her continued growth only allowed that model to work for so long.  "The shop, even by appointment only seemed to attract attention and I started wanting to be able to be open to the public simply because there seemed to be a desire for that," says Naimola. "Fourth Ave. is such a great spot, it is situated nicely between the State St. area and the Main St. area and seems like one of the last parts of downtown that could foster new businesses. When I saw Today Clothing was there I knew that my shop would fit in nicely."  Naimola will be transitioning into the Fourth Ave. space over the next few months with an eye on opening in March of 2014. Along with the new location and regular hours, Dear Golden will feature a small number of new clothing by small designers selected to complement her vintage offerings.  Moving to the 1,400 square foot space while continuing her online sales will prompt Naimola to expand from a one-woman operation to a business with staff. She anticipates adding two to three employees over the next year as Dear Golden gets established in its new space.  Source: Lauren Naimola, Dear Golden Writer: Natalie Burg

Source: Kim Watkins, Bella Gallery Writer: Natalie Burg