Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Michigan Business Challenge sent out $62,000 in seed capital this week to a broad range of start-ups being led by University of Michigan students. That cash was accompanied by another $50,000 in seed capital from the Dare to Dream program. Both programs are part of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the university's Ross School of Business. The grants, ranging from $200 to $10,000, is provided by donations from alumni like the Mayleben (Dare to Dream sponsor) and partners who sponsor the awards, such as the $2,500 Marketing Award sponsored by Mark Petroff. That money is often the spark that accelerates the growth of these start-ups. "It gives them extra motivation," says Sarika Gupta, program manager for the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. "Its validation of the idea and the business." Among this year's winners are: - Focus, a combination device and application for physical therapy and training, won the Pryor-Hale Award for Best Business for $20,000. - Exo Dynamics, an ergonomic support device that enables healthcare practitioners who experience back problems to perform at their best in the operating room, won the $10,000 Pryor-Hale Runner up and the $5,000 Williamson Award for Outstanding Business & Engineering Team - Torch Hybrid, a software service provider for marine hybrid-electric powertrain development and energy management, won $2,000 for Best Written Plan and the $2,500 Marketing Award sponsored by Mark Petroff - Centricycle, a non–profit working to improve healthcare in rural India through the implementation of sustainable diagnostic technology and education, won $7,500 from the Erb Award for Sustainability Source: Sarika Gupta, program manager for the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

U-M student-led EXO Dynamics scores $15K in seed capital

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Exo Dynamics just secured $15,000 in seed capital and plans to use it to move into a new home in University of Michigan's North Campus Research Complex. Exo Dynamics is leveraging the PhD work of a University of Michigan student to developing an electro-mechanical back brace for medical professionals. The back brace focuses on preventing injury and reducing pain without decreasing mobility. The team of five people is developing a second prototype and hopes to commercialize the device in early 2014. The 1-year-old start-up scored the $15,000 from the Michigan Business Challenge which is sponsored through the university's Ross School of Business. The company won the $10,000 Pryor-Hale Runner up award and the $5,000 Williamson Award for Outstanding Business & Engineering Team. "It was a fantastic experience," says Maren Bean, chief medical officer and co-founder of Exo Dynamics. "We got to meet a lot of great student entrepreneurs and some local entrepreneurs and investors. They gave us a lot of feedback on our business plan." Source: Maren Bean, chief medical officer and co-founder of Exo Dynamics Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Healthy Communities

Go Tickets tackles digital tickets for college sports

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Ari Luks and Tarrence van As are a couple of University of Michigan undergrads who love going to Michigan games but don't enjoy the ticketing process nearly as much. The clunkiness of the system and the lack of incentives made available to the user got the seniors (business and computer science majors, respectively) thinking. "Our inspiration came from our own frustration with the platform for tickets here," Luks says, "We want to come with a better tickets platform." Their answer, Go Tickets. The software is all digital platform (no more paper tickets) that utilizes mobile technology, incentive programs and customer analytics to help maximize the customer experience. The start-up is currently developing it software in the TechArb and looks to begin field testing its technology within the next couple of months. Go Tickets also recently won $4,500 for at the Michigan Business Challenge for Best Undergraduate Team ($2,500) and Outstanding Presentation ($2,000). "It's going to help us launch application development," Luks says. Source: Ari Luks, co-founder of Go Tickets Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Kids and Education

Concentrate Speaker Event: Harnessing Robot (and Volunteer) Power

Concentrate StaffTuesday, February 26, 2013

As any non-profit organization will tell you, their efforts are mostly powered by ordinary folks donating their time. That couldn't be truer for 826Michigan, a hip Ann Arbor-based literacy nonprofit that mobilizes hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Concentrate's Speaker Series invites executive director Amanda Uhle to explain the methods and challenges of attracting energetic volunteers and how 826 leverages their unique identity to thrive. Sign up now for THURSDAY's event!

Feature Story

Entrepreneurship

Anna Bagozzi: A Tribe Of Her Own

Patrick DunnWednesday, February 20, 2013

Anna Bagozzi wants to do more than just sell fashion, she wants to create a fashion-minded community. If her early successes with leveraging Facebook and other social media for Tribehaus, her online store, are any indication, she may be onto something big.

Feature Story

Economic Development

Selma Cafe Thinks, Eats and Grows Locally

Natalie BurgWednesday, February 20, 2013

From neighborhood breakfast salon to ag incubator to monthly happy hours to nonprofit organization, Selma Café has grown and evolved over its four years. Concentrate chats with its co-founder and president Lisa Gottlieb about how things are going and where they are headed next.

Arts and Culture

Indiana blogger goes on Ann Arbor beer tour

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: The Elkhart Truth

An Indiana writer visits Ann Arbor and, lo and behold, discovers our community's magic elixir. Many compliments ensue.

Excerpt:

"In addition to all the great pubs in town, there are a number of great breweries to choose from as well. Arbor Brewing Company is one of my favorites (and just down the street from the Blue Nile). While grabbing a quick lunch, I tried a Listenership Smoked Pale Ale (5.3% ABV, IBUs 40). This was brewed in commemoration of Ann Arbor radio station WCBN’s 40th anniversary. It is an English pale ale brewed with American smoked malt and English hops. The appearance is a hazy golden color with pale malt and subtle hops on the nose. I enjoyed the pleasant flavors of citrus hops, with a nice subtle smokiness, making this a very nice session ale."

Read the rest here.

Transportation

City of Ann Arbor and U-M look to launch bike-share program

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: The Michigan Daily

Ann Arbor’s Clean Energy Coalition, Downtown Development Authority, AATA and U-M are working to create a bike-share programs that would serve the campus and downtown, tragetting both student and resident users.

Excerpt:

"The idea for the bike-sharing program began with University President Mary Sue Coleman’s sustainability address last year. In her remarks, she touched on her wish to bring a bike-sharing program to Ann Arbor similar to the ones that had been successful on other university campuses. Students have advocated for the program in recent years as well.

Stephen Dolen, the executive director of Parking and Transportation Services, formed a partnership with the CEC, the Downtown Development Authority and the AATA to launch the program. Dolan said while the groups have all committed to working on the project, some technical aspects are still being negotiated."

Read the rest here.

Arts and Culture

Domino's locations get a make-over

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Huffington Post

First it was the pizza now it's the kitchens. Domino's is revamping its logos and locations across the nation, starting in Ann Arbor and Seattle.

Excerpt:

"The revamped Domino's feature open kitchens that showcase employees spinning dough and baking pizza. Customers are encouraged to write comments in colorful chalk on a chalkboard covering a large wall, and the layout has been altered to provide seating."

Read the rest here. Or check out the images on the AnnArbor.com article here.

Economic Development

Michigan bucks national trend, sees rise in VC investment

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: MiBiz.com

Venture capital investment in Michigan during 2012 was the third highest on record, since quarterly reports began in 1995. Among the three biggest winners was Ann Arbor's CertoPherx Inc., pulling in $16.44 million.

Excerpt:

"Investors put $232.31 million into 47 deals in Michigan last year, surpassing pre-recession levels and easily exceeding the $84.75 million invested in 36 deals in 2011, according to the quarterly MoneyTree report from the National Venture Capital Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers."

Read the rest here.

Arts and Culture

Blue Wolf Grill brings locally-sourced fare to former Taco Bell

Natalie Burg, Development News EditorWednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Charles Molina, Blue Wolf Grill

With the many challenges that face any new restaurant, Blue Wolf Grill co-owner Charles Molina knew one thing wouldn't be a problem with his new Washtenaw Avenue restaurant.

"No one has trouble finding us," he says. "You tell everybody you're in the old Taco Bell, and they know what that means. That building is iconic."

While the building may still resemble the well-known fast food restaurant, everything else about the Blue Wolf Grill is entirely different. The 1,400 square foot restaurant has a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, such as cherries from Traverse City, whitefish from the Great Lakes and coffee from Cadillac.

"The food is American new," says Molina. "It has a lot of different influences, like comfort food, and there is some Asian influence too."

Molina and his girlfriend Cheri Jackson aren't newcomers to the food business or the neighborhood. Their We Cater To U catering company is right on the other side of Washtenaw from the Blue Wolf Grill. And, according to Molina, the rush of new restaurants popping up along the busy avenue has only endeared them to the location even more.

"We welcome it," he says. "The strip between Hewitt and Golfside has been dead for awhile. We look at it as, the more businesses that are here, the more traffic, and the more potential customers who can try our food."

The Blue Wolf Grill opened in mid-December with a staff of 12, and Molina says business is already doing quite well. He has plans to create an outdoor patio to supplement his indoor seating for 34 diners, including landscaping to shelter outdoor diners from Washtenaw traffic.

Source: Charles Molina, Blue Wolf Grill Writer: Natalie Burg

Arts and Culture

Family owned Pho House to open on Washtenaw in March

Natalie Burg, Development News EditorWednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Wendy Inhmathong-Travis, Pho House

The Inhmathong Family knows Ypsilanti, as well as the restaurant business. The local Laotian family behind the upcoming Pho House restaurant on Washtenaw has been operating restaurants for 20 years.

"Our family landed in Ypsilanti as refugees from the Vietnam War," says Wendy Inhmathong-Travis. "For my brother and me, we practically grew up in Ypsi. It's our home now. We want to take part in making Ypsi better."

Their latest contribution to that effort will be Pho House, a Vietnamese Restaurant serving noodle and grill cuisine in the former Fat Philly's and Burgers building on the corner of Hewitt and Washtenaw Avenue.

The Inhmathong family is currently working to renovate the space, which is truly a family endeavor.

"The restaurant is owned by my little brother, Jurney," Inhmathong-Travis says. "This is his first time in running a business. We're helping him, [his] mom, dad, and sis."

Inhmathong-Travis hopes to have the Pho House ready to open to the public in March. Initially, the restaurant will employ eight members of the family, and Inhmathong-Travis expects they will expand their staffing as the business grows.

Source: Wendy Inhmathong-Travis, Pho House Writer: Natalie Burg

Entrepreneurship

U-M campus gets its first walkable nail salon with Polished

Natalie Burg, News EditorWednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Connie Howard, Polished

Identifying a problem and creating a solution is the core of entrepreneurship, and that's exactly what Bloomfield Hills resident and University of Michigan mom Connie Howard did with her new campus-area nail salon, Polished.

With two daughters at UM, Howard heard a common complaint from her girls and their friends: there were no nail salons within walking distance of campus. Though not a nail technician herself, the former makeup artist and employee of a plastic surgeon knew enough about the beauty business to take the leap.

"It really sets us apart from everyone because we are the only nail salon near campus," says Howard. "We try to keep the student prices so they're affordable, and we have really good nail techs."

Polished opened in early February after three months of renovation to the 850 square foot space. Those renovations include something else Howard says helps hers stand out from other area salons. A state of the art ventilation system prevents the business from smelling like salon fumes.

Howard currently employs six nail technicians at her S. University location, and offers both manicure and pedicure services.

Source: Connie Howard, Polished Writer, Natalie Burg

Economic Development

Cafe Zola owners to open new Washtenaw Ave bistro in August

Natalie Burg, Development News EditorWednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Alan Zakalik, Cafe Zola

For the many devotees of Downtown Ann Arbor's Café Zola, the only answer to "What's better than Zola?" is, "more Zola."

That wish will soon be coming true, as a new restaurant by Café Zola owners Hediye Batu and Alan Zakalik is coming to the Arbor Hills Crossing development now underway on Washtenaw Avenue.

"It will be a lot like Café Zola," says Zakalik. "We're still trying to work it out, but 'Zola' will be in the name."

The idea for a second location was triggered when the developers approached Zakalik and Batu. After reviewing the other businesses planned for the retail and dining center, they decided a new Zola would fit right in.

"I was worried for awhile about opening a second restaurant that was too similar to what we do here," Zakalik says, "but the development is far enough from downtown that it shouldn't impact us. It will give us a different base of people who don’t usually come downtown on a regular basis."

Zakalik expects the Arbor Hills Crossing location to be ready for the new Zola to begin their build-out in late April, and the restaurant to open by Aug. 22. The restaurant will be 10 to 15 percent larger than the downtown location with a bigger bar, indoor seating for 130 and patio seating for about 40 diners. Zakalik expects to hire a staff of approximately 50 to operate the new bistro.

Source: Alan Zakalik, Cafe Zola Writer: Natalie Burg

Technology and Innovation

Duo Security scales up tech, staff in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

From Duo Security's launch in 2010, the Internet security start-up was built to scale. This is the year the downtown Ann Arbor-based company begins to accelerate its growth. Duo Security specializes in creating two-factor authentication software, which enables its users to use their mobile phones to secure their logins. The idea is to add another layer of protection against account takeover and data theft for companies. "These days passwords are not enough to really protect anything," says Dug Song, co-founder & CEO of Duo Security. The market for Duo Security's software has a high ceiling. The company has watched its revenue grow by 400 percent over the last year as its customer base has doubled to more than 1,000 clients. Some of those users include a variety of big brand names ranging from Fortune 500 companies to large research institutions. Song declined to publicly name those firms. "Probably half of our customers are first-time customers of two-factor," Song says. "We are helping grow the two-factor market." That growth has allowed Duo Security to more than quadruple its staff to just under 50 people. To accommodate its growth, the firm moved from the Tech Brewery to a newly refurbished office on the northern edge of Kerrytown. It now occupies most of the 10,000 square feet of space there, which it is currently working to fill out. Duo Security currently has five job openings and expects to hire 10 new people in total by the end of the first quarter. "We have grown pretty quickly," Song says. Source: Dug Song, co-founder & CEO of Duo Security Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

BraveSoft expands workforce by 7 in downtown Ann Arbor

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

People often joke that technology designed to make our lives easier too often has the opposite effect. BraveSoft sees that as an opportunity to grow its bottom line in downtown Ann Arbor. BraveSoft specializes in database management and business intelligence technology, both of which allows its customers to better harness their data and makes their business more efficient. As computing becomes more complicated to become more efficient, services from firms like BraveSoft become more in demand. "It has increased the need for companies to increase the analytics of their data," says Tom Wood, president & co-founder of BraveSoft. "That has increased business for us." The 9-year-old company now employs 42, with about 60 percent of that number working out of Ann Arbor. The company has hired seven people over the last year and expects to add another 10 people in 2013. It currently has five open positions. "Companies are trying to become more efficient so the need for companies like ours will never run out," Wood says. Source: Tom Wood, president & co-founder of BraveSoft Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Ann Arbor's re:group adds to staff to expand services

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Downtown Ann Arbor-based re:group recently found itself in need of more expertise to meet its clients needs. So the company hired it, bringing three new people onto its staff. The digital marketing company has clients in a broad range of industries, ranging from bio-tech to retail. To help meet their demands, re:group hired a client services director and an expert in franchise businesses. It's staff currently stands at 22 people and a couple of interns. "It's really expanded," says Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group. "We had a majority of it here but we needed a few more people to shore it up." Jernigan expects re:group to go after more franchise business this year. The firm has already attracted the likes of Domino's Pizza and is aiming to bring on more national and regional franchises as clients. Re:group has already hired on a new employee or two to help spur that growth. "It will help us be able to take on more franchise clients," Jernigan says. Source: Carey Jernigan, vice president of development for re:group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

Avicenna Medical Systems signs Ann Arbor VA Hospital

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Avicenna Medical Systems has high hopes for its partnership with the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor, which is currently using its technology platform, AviTracks. The technology enabled its users to better manage treatment of their chronic diseases from home. It's aimed at people who utilize blood thinners or monitor cardiac rhythms. The idea is to lessen the information burden on health-care IT systems, freeing healthcare staff to maximize time with patients and employ best practices for treatment. "It helps monitor patient information," says Frank Pelosi, chief medical officer of Avicenna Medical Systems. The VA Hospital in Ann Arbor is not alone in testing out AviTracks. The technology, spun out of the University of Michigan in 2006, is also being used in seven different divisions in the University of Michigan Health System. A team of four people currently works on Avicenna Medical Solutions. "There is a lot of potential to spread the technology throughout the region, as well as other areas," Pelosi says. Source: Frank Pelosi, chief medical officer of Avicenna Medical Systems Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Community Development

SkySpecs takes top prize at Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

SkySpecs has taken another top prize in local business plan competition and tens of thousands of dollars more in seed capital with it. The downtown Ann Arbor-based start-up recently took the top prize worth $50,000 at the Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge. It also took third place in the student portion of the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, worth $10,000. The company, founded by University of Michigan students, is developing unmanned aerial vehicles that use artificial intelligence to gather data in hazardous locations, such as collecting structural data in hard to reach places under bridges. A2B Bikeshare, another U-M student-led start-up, took second place at the Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge. The showing was worth $15,000 in seed capital for the bike-sharing start-up. The Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge is a business plan competition co-founded by the University of Michigan and DTE Energy. The competition, in its fifth year, aims to serve as a springboard for Michigan's college students to launch sustainability-oriented start-ups. This year it attracted participants from a broad range of colleges across the Great Lakes State, including Michigan State University and Western Michigan University. "We were able to reach across the state," says Amy Klinke, assistant director at the University of Michigan's Center for Entrepreneurship. "We had 70 teams apply this year." Source: Amy Klinke, assistant director at the University of Michigan's Center for Entrepreneurship Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Sustainability

U-M student-led start-up A2B Bikeshare gains traction

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Source: Concentrate

Keith Porter and Ansgar Strother, students at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering, found a way to take a simple idea (a bike share program) add technology (touch screens) and create a new start-up, A2B Bikeshare. "Everyone likes the idea of bike sharing but the solutions out there were either too expensive or didn't meet the need," Strother says. "Being computer engineers we decided we could develop something better." A2B Bikeshare is a 6-month-old start-up that calls TechArb home. Its technology enables communities to independently implement bike sharing programs. The company's technology outfits bicycles with touch screens that outlines how to use the program, swipe a credit or membership card and go. The technology, which recently second place prize worth $15,000 at the Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge, allows A2B Bikeshare to offer its services at a sharply cheaper price-point compared to other bike-sharing program. "The whole touchscreen interface isn't found on any other bike-sharing program," Strother says. A2B Bikeshare currently employs a team of five people and expects to add another 5-8 people this year. It is currently working out the final bugs on a prototype and will launch a pilot program at Google's downtown Ann Arbor office in March. "We would like to launch our first large-scale system of about 100-200 bikes," Strother says. Source: Ansgar Strother, co-founder of A2B Bikeshare 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.