Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Patient Provider Communications has landed $1.7 million in seed capital thanks to large government grants and significant private investment. The Ann Arbor-based start-up's principal technology is called "Eloquence." It is a nurse-call system developed through an innovative healthcare communication technology. The company is currently in the final stages of developing its Beta version that is set to be deployed to a couple local hospitals by the fourth quarter of this year. "We will be developing a commercially viable product by the end of the year," says Lance Patak, co-founder & chairman of Patient Provider Communications. "Our goal is to have it installed in at least one Beta site by the second quarter of 2014 and our first purchase order by second quarter of 2014." The 4-year-old company has secured a $1.225 million Phase 2 federal Small Business Technology Transfer grant. It also has scored $250,000 from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, and is closing on $125,000 from private investors that will be matched with $125,000 from the Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund. Patient Provider Communications employs a team seven employees and four independent contractors. It has hired four people over the last year, including a new CEO this spring. Source: Lance Patak, co-founder & chairman of Patient Provider Communications Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Healthy Communities

The Brinery upgrades facility to keep up with demand

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

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.

Entrepreneurship

Ann Arbor's myfab5 releases Beta version of tech

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Last year, myfab5 spent its time launching the prototype of its social media software and figuring out its viability. This spring, the start-up is launching a more comprehensive Beta version with the aim of spreading its use across the region. The Ann Arbor-based start-up is creating an Internet/mobile platform that helps people rate and find eateries and retail businesses. Its secret sauce is it lets users name their top five businesses according to category, such as best pizza places or Chinese food. "All the signs (from last year's prototype) were good," says Omeid Seirafi-Pour, co-founder & CEO of myfab5. "This could work. All of the evidence supported the idea that the ranking system would work." The Beta version is more comprehensive that it includes a better web presence and a recently released iPhone app. The new app is focusing on the Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit markets. "We want to know what markets will be the best markets for myfab5 and it can best serve them," Seirafi-Pour says. The 1-year-old company employs a team of three co-founders and a half dozen of independent contractors. It calls the University of Michigan student small business incubator TechArb home. Seirafi-Pour expects to hire two or three people later this year. Source: Omeid Seirafi-Pour, co-founder & CEO of myfab5 Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Community Development

2 Ann Arbor VCs score Pure Michigan Venture Dev Fund investment

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

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.

Healthy Communities

WellSpringboard imagines new way of crowd-sourcing research ideas

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Finding new research ideas and creating new ways to fund them, that's the idea behind a new local start-up, WellSpringboard. The Ann Arbor-based company is creating a software platform that enables patients and other members of health-care community to come up with research ideas. It also provides a facility to support crowd-funding to get the projects underway. "The current model in the U.S. and around the world is for scientists to have the ideas and carry them out," says Matthew Davis, associate professor of pediatrics & internal medicine & public policy at the University of Michigan and co-founder of WellSpringboard. "We wanted to see if we could find a new way to bring research ideas forward." Davis is a member of the three-person team that has been developing the technology since January at the University of Michigan. That effort birthed WellSpringboard, which recently won the prototype category worth $40,000 from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Challenge. Davis and his team are currently working on further developing the prototype and raising money for the launch of their technology. "Our timeline is to launch a Beta version in 2014 depending on further funding," Davis says. Source: Matthew Davis, associate professor of pediatrics & internal medicine & public policy at the University of Michigan and co-founder of WellSpringboard Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Huron River Ventures closes on $11M fund

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Huron River Ventures has closed on its first investment fund worth $11 million. The downtown Ann Arbor-based venture capital firm specializes in clean-tech investments in the energy, transportation infrastructure and agricultural fields. Tim Streit and Ryan Waddington launched the venture capital firm in 2011. The pair have raised $6 million from the state of Michigan, a couple of local institutions including DTE Energy and fewer than 50 private investors. "We are less than 30 percent deployed," says Streit, managing partner of Huron River Ventures. "We have significant capital resources from our existing portfolio to help them with their growth." Among Huron River Ventures' initial investments are include SideCar Technologies, University of Michigan spin-out Ambiq Micro, Ann Arbor-based OptoAtmospherics, Ann Arbor-based FarmLogs, Root3 Technologies and Ann Arbor-based Covaron Advanced Materials. The firm has closed one deal last week, which is plans to announce soon. Streit expects to close on another 1-2 more deals before the end of the year. Huron River Ventures has a staff of two people and a stable of independent contractors and interns. It has offices in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Source: Tim Streit, managing partner of Huron River Ventures Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Guest Blogger: Jeanine DeLay

Jeanine DeLayThursday, June 13, 2013

When communities are looking to where to allocate scarce economic, natural, and cultural resources, the playing field should be level. Jeanine DeLay, president of A2Ethics.org, opines on why the city of Ann Arbor should establish an ethics policy.

Partner Content

50 years, 50 Stories: Story #5 Phoebe Davis Fund

Ann Arbor Area Community FoundationWednesday, June 12, 2013

Before she died in 1966, Phoebe set up a trust agreement which named the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation as a beneficiary. That gift established the first endowment for seniors, and continues to support programs that assist 'the aged, infirm and needy.'

Feature Story

Omari Rush and Foxtrot visit Al McEachern at Van Boven

Healthy Communities

A Foxtrot Through Downtown Ann Arbor

Brian ShortWednesday, June 12, 2013

To expect Ann Arbor to be like Chicago, New York or San Francisco is absurd. Nevertheless, when it comes to attracting professional talent, we are competing with lifestyles those cities offer. A recent guys-only pub-and-shop-crawl through downtown sought to demonstrate that The Deuce can be a contender.

Feature Story

Jim Price at the Ross School of Business

Economic Development

The State of Ann Arbor's Start-Up Culture

Jon ZemkeWednesday, June 12, 2013

Serial entrepreneur and U-M lecturer Jim Price is not your everyday homegrown entrepreneur. He's a transplant who came to Ann Arbor in 1988 for a business opportunity and stayed, facilitating the success of several local companies. In a candid Q&A, Price weighs in on the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Sustainability

Could the Great Lakes be an economic watershed for Michigan?

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: AnnArbor.com

An interesting piece on how our abundance of fresh water could be an economic reservoir in coming generations. Excerpt: "As growing water scarcity casts a shadow over the economic boom in warmer states, many in the long-scorned northlands are hoping they can finally make their abundance of freshwater a magnet for businesses and jobs that are now going elsewhere. The idea is either a perfect nexus of opportunity and timing, or— as some in the Sun Belt believe— just another longshot attempt by a cold and downtrodden region to reverse history. In the eight Great Lakes states, organizations devoted to the venture are springing up, with headquarters, government grants and binders full of Power Points and five-year plans. Universities are establishing freshwater science and engineering programs, such as theUniversity of Michigan Water Center, a $9 million research and education center formed in October." More here.

Healthy Communities

U-M team wins national prize for research crowd funding software

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: University of Michigan Health System

If this concept goes far enough, a prize-winning platform developed at U-M could be the Kickstarter for the medical community. Excerpt: "Crowd funding is all the rage these days, with everyone from charities to start-up companies offering ways for masses of people to kick in small amounts of money that together can make big things happen. But could that concept work for medical research? A University of Michigan Health System team wants to find out – and they have just won a national prize for their prototype of a web-based platform to do it." More here.

Sustainability

Dexter gardener pushes "World Cup of Gardening" for Detroit's Belle Isle

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: MLive

It'll be high-stakes gardening at Detroit's Belle Isle if a Dexter landscaper/gardener's vision of tens, or even, hundreds, of thousands of the world's best gardeners duking it out over the roses comes true. Excerpt: "John Cullen, who owns Celtic Gardens in Dexter, wants to compete with other internationally known gardeners at Belle Isle in a "World Cup of Gardening." "To take the beautiful assets, the architecture, the water front, the places that people already recognize and love... I would say, simply, goosebumps, when I think about Belle Isle and that venue," Cullen said. More here.

Economic Development

Monarch Antenna takes global prize for vehicle wireless solution

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Automation Alley

The automotive intelligentsia is putting its money behind Monarch Antenna's latest wireless device Excerpt: "SAE Detroit Section, in concert with the MIT Enterprise Forum, Great Lakes chapter (MITEF) named Monarch Antenna Inc., a up-and-coming technology developer of smart, adaptive tunable antenna solutions to enhance vehicle wireless connectivity, the winner of their 2013 5th annual Global automotive Competition. 'Our technology permits narrow-band antenna tuning over a wide frequency range so that a single antenna can replace multiple passive antennas in today’s connected vehicles' said Randy Dence, CEO of Monarch Antenna." More here.

Economic Development

$3.6M historic renovation paves way for new EMU program

Natalie Burg Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Jay Peterson, Eastern Michigan University

At Eastern Michigan University, an exciting blend of history and innovation are about to make waves on campus. A brand new Physician Assistant (PA) Program is now in development, and it will make its home in the historic Rackham Hall, which will receive a $3.6 million renovation.

"Rackham Hall is the perfect setting for this program," says Jay Peterson, program director for the new PA program. "It's a historic building with high visibility in the center of campus. We have space to provide students with a great learning environment."

Built in 1939 with art deco design elements, Rackham Hall has its roots in healthcare, having housed the EMU Children’s Institute and several other programs. A photo still inside the building documents Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the facility, which was the first of its kind when first built. To honor Rackham Hall's historic significance, EMU will be renovating its interior to be both meet the program’s modern needs and remain historically accurate.

"The building is so cool," Peterson says. "[Horace] Rackham is the guy who drew up the papers to incorporate Ford. This was a really significant building,"

Work on Rackham Hall is scheduled to begin in the fall and be completed by early next year in time for the new PR Program to begin in May 2014. The program will welcome 20 students in its first year with plans to grow to 30 in 2013 and level out at 40 the following year. The program will operate as a partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, which will create a joint simulation center, a human anatomy cadaver laboratory and clinical rotations experiences for its students.

According to Peterson, keeping the PA students locally will hopefully result in keeping more graduates local to fill the growing need for PAs in the area, particularly in primary care.

Source: Jay Peterson, Eastern Michigan University Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Saline's My Urban Toddler opening second location in Arbor Hills Crossing

Natalie Burg Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Rosa Lee, My Urban Toddler

Some things are just meant to be. Rosa Lee had been thinking about opening a second location of her popular store My Urban Toddler for some time, and after reading an article about the mix of stores planned for the forthcoming Arbor Hills Crossing, she felt like she'd found the perfect home.

That feeling was validated when the project developer returned her call right away.

"He said, 'If I could have my pick, I want a hair salon and a baby store,'" Lee says. "He's like, 'I'm listening.'"

Within days, My Urban Toddler was on its way to becoming the newest addition to the Washtenaw Ave. shopping center. The rush is warranted. Lee signed her lease just 90 days before the planned opening of Arbor Hills Crossing in August. Fortunately, Lee's background as an architect has helped speed along the process.

"We're full steam ahead," Lee says. "Even before signing the official lease, I'd met with architects, who are my friends, and we started drawing up schematics designs."

The new, 2,200 square foot My Urban Toddler will feature the most popular items from the original store, including such services as a lactation specialist, bra fittings and breast pump rentals.

Lee hopes to begin work on her portion of the build out in mid-July and will open with the other shopping center businesses on Aug. 22. The new shop will employ a staff of about four to six part-time employees.

Source: Rosa Lee, My Urban Toddler Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Knights to invest $900K in second Ann Arbor location in former Borders space

Natalie Burg Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Don Knight, Knight's Steakhouse

There's no question about it: Ann Arborites loves Knight's Steakhouse. And after looking around neighboring cities for several years to open what will be their third restaurant, the Knight family confirmed just how much they love Ann Arbor as well.

"We've looked around other cities, like Brighton," says Don Knight. "We put a lot of thought into it, but we kept coming back to Ann Arbor because we're really well known here."

The newest Knight's restaurant is set to open in January of 2014 on the first floor of the former Borders building in Downtown Ann Arbor. The 4,000 sq. ft. dining area will bring the family business' signature looks and food to a whole new audience with a downtown twist.

"It's not going to stray too far from the concept," says Knight. "We're definitely going to have some change in the menus. We'll have a more updated, fresher look, but it will still be very comfortable."

One thing that won't change, promises Knight, it’s the steakhouse's signature cocktails, famous for their potency.

"We'll probably have a few more martinis and stuff like that," he says. "But they'll be the same strength."

Work on the build out will begin in August. Knight anticipates the development will be about a $900,000 investment and will create 30 to 40 jobs. The restaurant will seat around 150 diners inside and an outdoor patio could seat another 40. Source: Don Knight, Knight's Steakhouse Writer: Natalie Burg

Economic Development

$110M gift to create innovative grad housing at UM

Natalie Burg Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Peter Logan, University of Michigan

The largest donation in University of Michigan history will fund an innovative new housing option for graduate students downtown.

"The University has had a very strong relationship with Charles Munger for the past several years," says UM Housing Communications Director Peter Logan. "He provided funding for the Lawyers Club, and it was out of that contribution that the idea of a graduate residence began to formulate."

Munger's $110 million donation will help fund the 600-bed graduate residence in two ways. While $100 million will go toward the construction of the estimated $180 million facility, the remaining $10 million will fund a unique fellowship program for graduate students who will play a role in the residence.

Munger also funded a graduate housing project at Stanford University. This project, says Logan, will build upon his original idea for that development.

"He talked about carrying that vision forward into something that would have more collaborative living arrangements," he says, "something that would go even further than the Stanford residence."

While details and plans are still underway, the development is intended to be constructed on S. Division and include innovative community spaces to foster collaboration among graduate students.

Source: Peter Logan, University of Michigan Writer: Natalie Burg

Building Communities

Local leaders honored at second annual Regional Transit Awards dinner

Nina Ignaczak Wednesday, June 12, 2013

With southeast Michigan's Regional Transit Authority underway and M1-Rail about to break ground, a crowd of over 150 transit advocates had considerable cause for a buoyant mood as they strolled the stately gardens and ballroom of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial at Transit Riders United's second annual Regional Transit Awards dinner on May 21st.

"Developing a quality regional transit system is a marathon, not a sprint," said Megan Owens, TRU's Executive Director. "It's important to pause and recognize progress, and the people who are making a difference."

The Citizen Activist of the Year Award went to Neil Greenburg, whoseFreshwater Railway website depicts a fictional Michigan rail system. Greenberg, a self-taught professional transit cartographer and operations consultant, developed the site to garner support for transit by offering a visual experience of the possibilities. Tools to rally public support are needed now more than ever, according to Greenberg.

"It's too early to say 'Mission Accomplished'," he said. "We are at the beginning, not the end."

Michele Hodges, who until recently served as Executive Director of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, won the Corporate Transit Champion Award forengaging business, education, and labor leaders in the successful fight against former Troy mayor Janice Daniel's attempt to reject federal funding for the Troy Transit Center.

The Unsung Hero Award went to former legislator Marie Donigan, who worked to establish the RTA and make state laws and funding sources friendlier to transit. Donigan continues her transit advocacy work, recently helping to coordinate a 2-day Metro Detroit Transit Workshop.

Dennis Schornack, Senior Strategic Advisor to Governor Snyder, won Most Effective Public Servant Award for his work shepherding the RTA legislation through the political process.

A Transit Employee of the Year Award went to Detroit Department of Transportation bus driver Michael Childs, who was nominated by a rider for being on-time with a big, welcoming smile every day, despite an increased workload owing to recent cuts in DDOT funding and service.

Ann Arbor Transit Authority's new AirRide program, which now provides daily round-trip service between Ann Arbor and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, won the Exemplary Innovation Award.

The TRU board sprung two surprises: a Transit Opportunities Award for the entire RTA Board, and an Above and Beyond Award for Owens for her work at TRU.

Winners were selected by a panel of 4 judges, including Clark Harder, former legislator and Michigan Public Transit Association Executive Director, Heather Carmona, chief administrative officer of M1 Rail, Sue Zielinsli, managing director of Sustainable Mobility & Accessibility & Research & Transformation at the University of Michigan, and Polly Sedewa, transit activist and past TRU board member.

Writer: Nina Ignaczak

Economic Development

Online Tech adds 9 staffers as it expands in the Midwest

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Online Tech is on the brink of turning its plans for midwestern expansion into a reality this summer. The Ann Arbor-based data center firm received a $20 million investment last year to expand its operations across middle America. It has identified two target markets where it has seen high demand for its data center and cloud-computing services and is close to making those plans public. "We are not more than 90 days away from telling that story," says Yan Ness, Co-CEO of Online Tech. The 10-year-old firm has been staffing up for the last year to prepare for the expansion. It has hired nine people, including three executive level personnel. The company currently employs 47 people and a handful of interns. It is also looking for a new director of infrastructure management to help the company with its pending expansion plans. "It's one of the coolest tech jobs in the Midwest," Ness says. Online Tech is looking to expand its footprint within a 200-500 mile radius around its Ann Arbor home. Ness expects to have his company solidly positioned in two new markets by the next year and two more on top of that by 2017. He means being the No 1 or No 2 player in the market when he says solidly positioned. Source: Yan Ness, Co-CEO of Online Tech Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

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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.