Automotive suppliers have felt the ups and down of the economy as much as any firm. Hines Industries can attest to that as the manufacturer is growing with the rebounding economy. The Ann Arbor-based firm has watched its revenue jump 40 percent over the last year and expects to do it again this year. It has hired 11 people, including two of its former interns. The 33-year-old company now has a staff of 40 employees and one intern. "Our automotive orders are up a lot," says Dawn Hines, CEO of Hines Industries. "The economic health of the country is improving. I think it's a general improvement in the economy and improvement in the automotive industry specifically." Hines Industries specializes in the design and manufacture of balancing equipment with a goal of improving efficiency of manufacturing processes. It offers standard dynamic balancing machine models and specialized balanced configurations for the automotive industry. Hines is optimistic about her company's continued improved prospects because its customers are actively buying and indicating they want more. "We have a huge backlog," Hines says. "A lot of our customers are saying they are going to put more orders in." Source: Dawn Hines, CEO of Hines Industries Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Brenda Moore believes people without jobs who are receiving government assistance can improve their prospects with coffee. A coffee business, actually. The Java Hope Project focuses on helping women break the cycle of poverty through business development by offering extensive small-business skills training programs. The Ypsilanti-based non-profit does this by teaching its clients the basics of budgeting and running a business, then gives them opportunity to start their own coffee stand business. "It's a rigorous program," says Moore, executive director of the Java Hope Project. "We require they show up to class everyday. If something catastrophic happens they are required to call in." The idea is that sparking the entrepreneurial spirit in these women will help them break the cycle of poverty. Moore points out that it not only helps them learn how to live within a budget but also give them a path to make a good income through their own business. Moore claims operators of these coffee stands have the potential to make in excess of $100,000 a year. "It can be very lucrative because unlike coffee shops it doesn't have a high overhead," Moore says. The Java Hope Project has a staff of three and is in its first class of eight people and expects to expand that by the end of the year. Moore hopes to offer the Java Hope Project's services across Metro Detroit one day. The non-profit also recently took first place in the New Enterprise Idea category of the Pure Michigan Social Entrepreneurship Challenge, a prize worth $5,000 in seed capital. Source: Brenda Moore, executive director of the Java Hope Project Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Source: Sanjay Panjwani, All About Furniture Writer: Natalie Burg

Source: Nick Wallen, Benito's Pizza Writer: Natalie Burg

The Brinery is gearing up to move into a larger home just north of Ann Arbor, which will allow the slow-food start-up to ramp up production to meet its growing demand. The Ann Arbor-based company makes sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles and tempeh. It's founder, David Klingenberger, has been making sauerkraut in his home for years before launching The Brinery three years ago. Today the business employs four people a few interns after hiring a production assistant in recent months. Klingenberger expects to hire another couple people later this year after it makes it move to a bigger space this fall. "The square footage will increase significantly," Klingenberger says. "And there is room for growth. There is a 5,000-square-foot warehouse we can use." The Brinery plans to move into the Washtenaw Food Hub this September. The Washtenaw Food Hub is a new facility meant to help provide support to local farmers and food companies to become economically and environmentally sustainable. The Brinery has been doubling its production each year it has been in business and move to the Washtenaw Food Hub is expected to allow that to happen over the next year. Also helping boost sales is The Brinery's new distribution partnership with R Hirt Jr, which will help it grow from being in a few dozen stores and restaurants to more than 1,000. "They will really, really increase our reach into stores," Klingenberger says. Source: David Klingenberger, owner of The Brinery Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Two Ann Arbor-based venture capital firms have scored millions of dollars in backing from the Pure Michigan Venture Development Fund, which plans to make two more investments later this year. The Pure Michigan Venture Development Fund is a fund of funds, which means it's a venture capital firm that invests in smaller VCs. The $9 million fund invests in first- and second-generation venture capital firms that call Michigan home. It's first two investments were in Michigan eLab and Reasonant Venture Partners, both new VCs based in downtown Ann Arbor specializing in investing in tech start-ups. Each venture capital firm received $2.25 million each. "I anticipate by the end of the summer we should have awards announced for two more funds," says Mike Flanagan, manager of equity capital programs for the Michigan Economic Development Corp, which overseas the Pure Michigan Development Fund. Each of those funds will receive $2.25 million in investment. The staff at the MEDC and some members of Credit Suisse decide which firms qualify and which ones will receive the awards. It takes about 6-7 months to complete the due diligence. Source: Mike Flanagan, manager of equity capital programs for the Michigan Economic Development Corp Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.