Everist Genomics may be based in Ann Arbor but the medical device start-up sees a lot of its growth coming from overseas sales this year. The 2-year-old company's principal technology, AngioDefender, helps doctors measure risk of strike and cardiovascular disease. Everist Genomics hopes to begin sales in the U.S. next year after it gets FDA approval. In the meantime, it has gotten approval to begin sales in Europe, India and Canada this year. The firm expects its exports to these foreign markets will create exponential growth. "We believe the Canadian market will be really important to not only us but other medical device companies in Michigan because we're close to the border," says Randal Charlton, director of Everist Genomics. AngioDefender is a non-invasive diagnostic system that utilizes non-invasive sensor technology and a sophisticated software algorithm to help physicians diagnose ailments like cardiovascular disease in its early stages. The idea is that finding who is at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke help medical professionals prevent heart attacks, strokes or high-blood pressure complications. "We believe that could be a blockbuster product because it's non-invasive," Charlton says. "It tells you whether you're at risk of cardio-vascular disease or stroke." Charlton, the former executive director of TechTown in Detroit, is using the technology himself and keeping a blog of it, which can be read here. Everist Genomics currently employs 30 people in Ann Arbor and another 10 overseas. It has hired three people over the last year, primarily in marketing, and is looking to hire another three. "The growth in employees is about to take off in the next 6-to-12 months," Charlton says. Source: Randal Charlton, director of Everist Genomics Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Inovo got its start in downtown Ann Arbor about a decade ago but eventually moved to the north side of downtown. The innovation-consulting firm is now making a move back to the city's center to help accommodate its growth. "We wanted to be downtown because we really like the energy," says Josh Botkin, vice president of Inovo. "It also helps us attract top talent." Inovo is doubling its office space with its new location next to the Downtown Home & Garden. The new office will accommodate the firm's 13 employees and one intern. It has hired two consultants since last fall and is looking to hire an analyst now. Botkin describes Inovo as an "innovation consulting firm" and the company's website details its philosophy as "utilizing exceptional knowledge, highly-collaborative methods, and imaginatively-calculated outcomes, we systematically unleash tangible innovation within the world's most visionary organizations. We don't believe innovation is capturing lightning in a bottle. There exists a process to uncover and develop innovations that may be unidentified but ready to discover, or may already exist within your organization." "We work across a lot of different industries but our focus is on four primary sectors: healthcare, automotive, chemicals and advanced materials and food and agriculture," Botkin says. Inovo has been able to translate this ethos to a growing client list. The company has focused on scaling its client list in the last few years, which has allowed it to grow its revenues 50 percent last year. Botkin expects to grow the company's revenue another 50 percent this year. "We have a strong repeat business," Botkin says. Source: Josh Botkin, vice president of Inovo Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

The Ann Arbor area's tech graduates might get a jump start at not only local start-ups, but at the new and retooled Ford Motor Co. Excerpt: "Ford Motor is dramatically stepping up its hiring of engineers, software workers and other salaried employees to meet the increased demand for a new high-tech era in the auto industry. Ford said it will increase white-collar hiring by 36%, or 800 jobs, to a total of 3,000.... At the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, traditionally one of the nation's top sources of automotive talent, students are grasping that automotive is undergoing a revolution, says David Munson, dean of the engineering school. With driverless cars, advanced infotainment and other high tech on the way, "there has never been a more exciting time in the auto industry." Demand is strong, he says, for all but civil engineers." More here.