HealPay has made a name for itself for its accounts-receivable software and mobile apps. Now the downtown Ann Arbor-based start-up is expanding into rent collection with a new app, Rent Roll. "We're trying to streamline the accounts receivable part of accounting," says Erick Bzovi, co-founder & CEO of HealPay. The 2-year-old start-up was looking to get more into merchant services and transaction services so it could harness a more consistent revenue stream. Helping facilitate payments meant they could be paid back within three to six months. Helping landlords collect rents means it can collect money every month. "We're really into recurring revenue and payments," Bzovi says. HealPay launched Rent Roll early this spring and already has about half a dozen landlords with at least 50 units each signed up. The rentals include multi-units in Sterling Heights and Ann Arbor and accounts for hundreds of thousands of dollars of transactions each month. It also opened up an opportunity for HealPay's original accounts-receivable software. Now when renters fall behind on their rent their landlords can switch them over to HealPay's settlement app to make sure they collect. Source: Erick Bzovi, co-founder & CEO of HealPay Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Source: Cookie Gomez, Above Ground Hair Studio Writer: Natalie Burg

Arbor Networks began a hiring spree of dozens of new software engineers in the last couple of years, and those new workers are filling up a growing office space on the south side of Ann Arbor. The IT security software firm hired 45 software engineers in 2012 with 40 of those jobs ending up in Ann Arbor. It started this year with 22 jobs openings and has filled a majority of them. It recently opened up 20 more software engineer positions locally. "We are still experiencing high growth as a company, particularly at our R&D headquarters in Ann Arbor," says Kris Lamb, vice president of engineering for Arbor Networks. The University of Michigan spin-out specializes in providing network security solutions. It has recently expanded its sales for commercial security solutions, recording rampant growth in North America and a high-degree of interest internationally. Arbor Networks now employs close to 400 people, including 127 employees in Ann Arbor. To help accommodate this growth streak, the company added 10,000 square feet of office space and 1,200 square feet of lab space to its Ann Arbor facility. "We have filled it all," Lamb says. "We are about to assume the rest of the State Street office space. There was another 5,000 square feet occupied by our landlord. We will be building out that space this year." Source: Kris Lamb, vice president of engineering for Arbor Networks Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Helen Davis launched 300 Decisions a year ago, her latest venture into starting a relocation-services business. Today, it has established itself in Metro Detroit and Chicago while it is entertaining prospects of expanding to the east coast. "We have clients. We're making money," says Helen Dennis, president of 300 Decisions. "We have been able to accomplish the completion of a lot of innovative services." The Ann Arbor-based company is named for Dennis' guesstimate of how many questions a company must ask itself when executing an office move. This is the second business relocation firm Dennis has built. The first was acquired in 2006. 300 Decisions' local clients include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Rossetti, an architecture firm. It's Chicago clients include the city of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools and U.S. Cellular, among others Dennis's firm currently employs six people after launching with just Dennis and her son. It has its office in Chicago and is looking at opening offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., if its contract proposals are confirmed. "The first year is really about cultivating and laying the groundwork," Dennis says. "It sets the stage for the second year. That is exactly what is happening." Source: Helen Dennis, president of 300 Decisions Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Last year TorranceLearning began the process of transforming itself from an e-learning firm to a company that provides more comprehensive education services. Today the downtown Chelsea-based business is reaping the rewards of that switch. The 7-year-old company has hired two people, expanding its staff to seven employees. Those new hires include an instructor and a designer to help the firm fill out its expanded services. "We are offering a new and wider range of services to our clients," says Megan Torrance, president & CEO of TorranceLearning. She adds that her company's new host of services "is a much more wholistic look at our clients' needs." Those new services include providing mobile apps for clients or learning retreats. The company has also expanded its client list so it includes a broader ranger of customers, ranging from the automotive to healthcare to food industries. Source: Megan Torrance, president & CEO of TorranceLearning Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.