Tanya MuzumdarWednesday, December 12, 2012

At the Mount Brighton ski area, snow is green. Vail Resorts, Inc., owner of the eponymous Vail ski resort and other major mountain resorts in the Colorado Rockies and Lake Tahoe regions, has entered into an agreement to purchase the ski destination located about 40 miles west of Detroit and 20 miles north of Ann Arbor. "We believe there's an opportunity for us to look at key urban markets where there's a concentration of skiers and riders and where there are local ski areas. And we believe there's an opportunity to connect our destination resorts in Colorado and California with those markets by owning some of these resorts in these key markets, and then creating a conduit between that particular ski area and market back out to our western destination resorts. A lot of our guests currently come from Michigan, as an example," says John Garnsey, president of global mountain development at Vail Resorts, Inc. Over 307,000 skiers and snowboarders live in the Detroit, Lansing, and Ann Arbor areas, according to the company. Vail Resorts will also purchase another urban ski area, the Afton Alps resort near Minneapolis. The combined price for both properties is $20 million. Mount Brighton is owned by the Bruhn family, which has requested that their component of the sale price not be disclosed at this time. The deal is expected to close later this week or early next, according to Garnsey. Consequently, an overhaul is forthcoming for the property, which opened in 1960. It has 26 trails on 130 skiable acres, seven chair lifts, night skiing and snowboarding, and an 18-hole golf course. Garnsey says the company plans to upgrade and build upon the existing snowmaking system, evaluate the chairlifts, and also look at expanding the 15-acre terrain park, improving base facilities, and adding more summer activities. Company representatives plan to meet with Brighton's community leaders and seek their input, says Garnsey. "We'll certainly work with the existing team there and get a lot of feedback from them and pick their brains on what they'd like to see relative to improvements, et cetera. I think that next summer you'll see some activity at Mount Brighton." Source: John Garnsey, president of global mountain development at Vail Resorts, Inc. Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Ultra Electronics AMI adds 10 new staff, including new CEO

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Ultra Electronics and the University of Michigan are two important aspects of Bill King's life, which is why the veteran executive decided to take the helm at the Ultra Electronics AMI, formerly Adaptive Materials. King has spent 31 years working for Ultra Electronics and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1979. He is now the president of Ultra Electronics AMI, which is now a division of United Kingdom-based Ultra Electronics after it acquired Adaptive Materials. "I am from Michigan," King says. "I want to retire in Michigan. I am 55 so I have another 10-12 years that I want to work. If I can give back to Ultra Electronics, which has been very good to me, and the University of Michigan, which also means a lot to me, that's what gets me excited." Ultra Electronics AMI designs, tests and manufactures the future of portable power: solid oxide fuel cell technology. It's products are used by everything from military personnel to outdoor enthusiasts. The technology was spun out of Adaptive Materials, which was acquired by Ultra Electronics in early 2011. Ultra Electronics AMI currently employs 63 people and the occasional summer intern after hiring 10 people over the last year. Source: Bill King, president of Ultra Electronics AMI Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

Ann Arbor's Biovigil triples staff with 8 new hires

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Biovigil Hygiene Technologies is beginning to gain traction thanks to seven-figures worth of seed capital and eight new hires over the last year. The Ann Arbor-based company secured $5 million in a Series A round in 2010 led by Ann Arbor's RSVP Capital. That seed capital allowed it to hire eight people over the last year. It now has a staff of 12. Biovigil Hygiene Technologies is developing an integrated hand sanitizing system. Its technology utilizes a room sensor, a base station, and a badge similar to a standard identification badge. The system is designed to detect and monitor hand washing and automatically communicate compliance information to base stations located within the facility and securely forward data to an internet cloud host for compliance reporting and application functions. "We use a lot of Ann Arbor- and automotive-based manufacturers to build the product," says Brent Nibarger, chief client officer at Biovigil Hygiene Technologies. Biovigil Hygiene Technologies spent the last year getting the first generation of this technology off the ground. Nibarger expects to begin commercializing it this year. Source: Brent Nibarger, chief client officer at Biovigil Hygiene Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Healthy Communities

Ann Arbor SPARK helps attract Ornicept to TreeTown

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

The founders of Ornicept developed their avian-monitoring technology at Indiana University so what attracted the award-winning start-up to pick up and move to Ann Arbor? The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor SPARK and opportunity. Ornicept's technology automates the monitoring of birds, collecting comprehensive data for wind turbine developers and airport operators. "It allows you to collect a large amount of quality data about birds on-site," says Justin Otani, CEO of Ornicept. "That allows you to run better data analysis." Otani and Russell Conard co-founded the company in Indiana eight months ago. Russell's wife recently began a master's program at the University of Michigan, so the pair started to consider Ann Arbor as a base for their company. They then ran into an Ann Arbor SPARK representative at a Pure Michigan booth in Atlanta and the deal was sealed a few conversations later. Last month Ornicept won the alternative energy category at the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. That win came with $25,000 in seed capital. "That was extremely helpful for us," Otani says. "A small amount of money can have a huge impact on a small company like us." The three-person firm is still developing its technology but hopes to do its first pilot project in March. In the meantime, Ornicept calls Ann Arbor SPARK's downtown Ann Arbor incubator home. Source: Justin Otani, CEO of Ornicept Writer: Jon Zemke

Kids and Education

Kymeira leverages Accelerate Michigan win for product development

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Kymeira is finding a number of ways to leverage its win at the student competition for the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. Kymeira is developing a new chemistry for ceramics, which brings the benefits of existing advanced ceramics to new parts and markets. It took $25,000 in seed capital to its Ann Arbor home after winning at Accelerate Michigan, but that's not the only thing it walked away with. "We had an extremely positive experience in terms of meeting possible investors and other parties who are potential customers and mentors," says David Hatfield, new business development director for Kymeira. The technology coming from Kymeira was developed over the last three years. The start-up launched in September of this year and now employs a team of four people. The company plans to use its Accelerate Michigan winnings and other amounts of seed capital to continue product development and line up its first customers. "We're trying to get our first sale by next fall," Hatfield says. Source: David Hatfield, new business development director for Kymeira Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Cali-based software firm Oomba opens Ann Arbor office

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Silicon Valley-based start-up Oomba has opened an office in downtown Ann Arbor, bring another four jobs and potentially more to Tree Town's central business district. The 1-year-old is creating a digital object trading platform that communicates with the virtual goods databases of online and mobile games through a secure protocol. The 16-person firm has two other offices Boston and Atlanta. It currently employs four people at its Ann Arbor office and plans to grow its presence quickly. "We're planning on hiring more," says William Farah, co-founder, senior vice president of business development and general counsel for Oomba. "We'd like to have 10-12 to start with." he adds that he can foresee the local office growing to 20 people within a year or two. Oomba's Ann Arbor office will handle the company's sales and some of its engineering/product development. Farah, who is based here, says the company choose Ann Arbor because of the area's deep talent pool and staked its flag in downtown so it could be in the mix of the community's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. "We thought it would be good to be in the middle of everything," Farah says. "Google is right up the street and there are a lot of little tech companies in the area." Source: William Farah, co-founder, senior vice president of business development and general counsel for Oomba Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Kids and Education

Food, music start-ups emerge at Michigan Business Challenge

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Many student-led start-ups competing in this year's Michigan Business Challenge are trending toward to industries this year, food and music. "There are a lot of companies associated with food, whether its websites or food service," says Sarika Gupta, program manager for the Michigan Business Challenge. "The other thing I noticed is there are a lot of music-oriented start-ups." Seventy two start-ups founded by University of Michigan students entered the Michigan Business Challenge, a campus-wide business plan competition with $60,000 in prizes at stake. Twenty one entrepreneurial teams recently made it to the second round. Some of those start-ups include: - myFab5, a mobile-technology start-up that has come up with an innovated for users to find and share restaurants while helping businesses to improve their marketing and sales operations. - Kymeria, the winner of the student competition portion of Accelerate Michigan is developing a new chemistry for ceramics, which brings the benefits of existing advanced ceramics to new parts and markets. - Exo Dynamics, a TechArb start-up creating an electromechanically activated back brace that can move with the wearer and maintain support through a variety of postures. The winner of the competition, organized by the Ross School of Business' Zell-Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, will take home a $20,000 in seed capital. The runner-up wins $10,000 and smaller cash prizes will go to array of other placers. "We're trying to entrepreneurship here by helping more team," Gupta says. "We're helping more students entrepreneurship." Source: Sarika Gupta, program manager for the Michigan Business Challenge Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Feature Story

Omari Rush at the University Musical Society offices

Guest Blogger: Omari Rush

Omari RushWednesday, December 5, 2012

K-12 arts education should be more than just a shrinking line item on public school budgets. Clarinetist Omari Rush, education manager for U-M's University Musical Society, opines on why we should say yes to arts programming in schools.

Feature Story

Kids and Education

Five Really Cool Technologies Being Developed Here

Dennis ArchambaultWednesday, December 5, 2012

It's no surprise that folks in the Ann Arbor area are an inventive bunch. Having one of the top universities in the country in your backyard helps. So, what's in the works? How about a telescope that listens to outer space? Or cars that learn how to avoid crashes? Or, best of all, head phones that won't tangle in your pocket?

Ann Arbor's Ice Cube develops next gen of NHL players

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: Toronto Sun

In the last 16 years more than 200 NHL players have been developed at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor's Ice Cube.

Excerpt:

"Right inside the door is a reception counter, with gleaming trophies from USA Hockey's victories at the last four world under-18 championships inside glass cases. Photos of the teams celebrating their victories are on the walls.

To the left, there's a hallway filled with framed USA Hockey sweaters from world junior championships and other international competitions along one wall, the medals won in those competitions in the corner of the frame. On the other, photos of the former members of the program who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League are displayed.

It's a long hallway."

Read the rest here.

Economic Development

Why talent stays (or leaves) Ann Arbor

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: The Ann Arbor Chronicle

Successful software developer Bill Merrill has made Ann Arbor his home for over a decade. Now he's leaving. And it's not because he's going to take a job somewhere else. Can something be learned from his reasons for going? Dave Askins makes some great observations and links to his interview with Merrill.

Excerpt:

"Whether a guy like Merrill stays or leaves Ann Arbor ultimately isn’t up to other folks – like me, for example – who’ll likely serve out their productive lives here. But I think we’d probably “do it up” better if we measured success not by how long people like Bill Merrill choose to stay, but by how open we are to hearing their thoughts while they’re here – whether that’s a short time or forever."

Read the rest here.

Economic Development

At 63 years, bookbinder is U-M's longest-serving staff member

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: USA Today

Maybe the time was right. With digital information becoming the defacto practice in the land, 81-year-young Jim Craven is leaving his bookbinding post after more than 6 decades.

Excerpt:

"For more than 63 years, Craven has bound books and conserved artifacts on Michigan's Ann Arbor campus.

On Friday, the 81-year-old Craven leaves campus, retiring as the longest-serving staff member in the university's history.

He began working part-time at the university in 1947 while he was still in high school in a bookbindery in the basement of the Hatcher Graduate Library."

Read the rest here.

Transportation

Bus from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti faster, more frequent

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: AnnArbor.com

Ridership is growing on local buses and new route planning is helping to make the system better for all. The bus from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti along Packard will be 8 minutes faster now that it's traveling a straight path.

Excerpt:

"On the branch from downtown Ypsilanti, the number of trips will continue to be two per hour, but the trip time will be reduced by 18 percent by providing a more direct route along Packard. On the other branch, the number of trips will increase from two to four per hour."

Read the rest here.

Community Development

Historic Ypsilanti Freighthouse shoots for spring re-opening

Tanya MuzumdarWednesday, December 5, 2012

The long-awaited next chapter for the Ypsilanti Freighthouse is coming, very possibly by May of 2013. The circa-1850 building, originally part of the Michigan Central Railroad Complex in Depot Town, has been closed for the past eight years. At this point over $1 million has been raised and spent on an extensive rehabilitation of the structure to make it eligible for occupancy and re-open it for public use. The funding came from a combination of federal, state, and city of Ypsilanti funds, as well as auctions, sales, and private donations. The Friends of The Ypsilanti Freighthouse (FOYF), the group managing the project, is raising the final $75,000 needed for the last few punch-list items, according to FOYF co-founder Linda French. The funds are needed to install new bathrooms, a heating system, and a fire suppression system. The property has a new metal roof, steel structural supports, and a large rain garden. It retains its original brick interior walls and wood floor. The Freighthouse, which measures about 5,000 square feet, will contain a train kiosk for planned commuter train service, a gathering room for community events, and a café. "Once we get it open, we're going to put out RFPs throughout the community to see what it is the people in the city would like to see in there, and then have RFPs from different groups that might want to run it," French says. "We envision it going back to being a public domain, where you have jazz shows, you have antique shows and farmers markets, just bits of things that the community can be involved in." She adds: "We did a very extensive business plan so that we would make this a sustainable building so the city doesn't have to pay money to keep it going." The intent is to charge rental fees for occasional private events, such as weddings, although by and large, the building will remain open to the public. "It is Greenfield Village quality. It's just a wonderful building and now that it's fixed, we'd like to return it to the city of Ypsilanti and have it be used by the citizens." Source: Linda French, co-founder, Friends of The Ypsilanti Freighthouse Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Arts and Culture

Kuroshio to bring Asian fusion cuisine, up to 40 jobs to Ann Arbor

Tanya MuzumdarWednesday, December 5, 2012

More fine dining tables with a multicultural twist will be set in downtown Ann Arbor when Kuroshio opens for dinner at 120 E. Liberty St. this month. General Manager Alan Wang plans a grand opening before the Christmas holiday, but an announcement will not be made until a certificate of occupancy has been received. The cuisine will be Asian fusion, with an emphasis on Japanese, sushi included. And as part of the full bar, Japanese liquors will be poured. The entire exterior and interior were overhauled. New, larger windows have been installed. "We wanted to try to make the space look bigger," Wang says. "The ceilings are higher than they were before." The interior, with seating capacity for 130-140, has new light fixtures and carpeting. "It's going to look very modern, with some traces of Asian influence." To start, Kuroshio will be open for dinner daily. Wang hopes to serve lunch as well, but that is contingent on adequate staffing levels. "We're still in the hiring process," he says. "We're hoping to hire between 30 and 40 part-time and full-time employees." Source: Alan Wang, general manager of Kuroshio Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Economic Development

Ann Arbor's The Connector plan seeks input on mass transit options

Tanya MuzumdarWednesday, December 5, 2012

In the near future, car-clogged Ann Arbor could get some relief if The Connector, a plan for a high-capacity mass transit service route covering an arc from the city's northeast to its south end, gets some traction with the public. A feasibility study conducted by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), the city of Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, and the University of Michigan found sufficient demand for such a service exists in that portion of the city, the service could be supported, and four options exist: bus rapid transit; streetcars; light rail; and elevated guideway, perhaps akin to Detroit's People Mover. Now the partnership has started on the next project phase, a Federal Transit Administration grant-funded alternatives analysis to be completed over the next 14 months, with a final report to be issued in early 2014. Accordingly, community input is being sought at a series of public meetings to be held later this month and in 2013. The community will have a say on a locally preferred alternative, which would outline the preferred transportation mode or combination thereof, service level, station locations, route alignment, and estimated costs. "Right now the U-M bus system carries about 30,000 people a day between North Campus and Central Campus. Just on that little spur, there's that kind of ridership, and we're talking about a bigger corridor that goes from northeast Ann Arbor down to Briarwood," says Chris White, manager of service development for AATA. In a best-case scenario, The Connector could be up and running by 2020, although White says such projects typically take longer to develop. The public is welcome to drop in and offer input at these Ann Arbor locations: Mon., Dec. 10 8-10 a.m. at the Blake Transit Center 1-3 p.m. at Busch's Market, 2020 Green Rd. 6-8 p.m. at Briarwood Mall Tues., Dec. 11 8-10 a.m. at Sweetwaters, 123 W. Washington St. 1-3 p.m. at Sweetwaters, 3393 Plymouth Rd. 6-8 p.m. at Briarwood Mall Source: Chris White, manager of service development for AATA Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Economic Development

Ann Arbor's 618 S. Main high-rise project gains ground with $3M loan

Tanya MuzumdarWednesday, December 5, 2012

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation's (MEDC) recent announcement of a $3 million loan from the Michigan Strategic Fund for the 618 S. Main apartment project underlies the recent trend of high-density housing projects garnering high investment dollars in Ann Arbor. Two structures on the property will be demolished to make way for a building with 150-170 apartments, a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom units. Joe Martin, community revitalization manager at the MEDC, says the Community Revitalization Program loan to 618 South Main, LLC, was approved because, "One, it was taking an existing building and increasing density. The plan was to go a minimum of six stories high...Also, instead of having surface parking, this project is going to utilize an underground parking structure, and it's also going to have other significant green elements." The developers, 618 South Main, LLC and Ann Arbor Lifestyles, LLC, will seek LEED Silver certification for the project, Martin says. A rain garden, solar panels, low-flow water fixtures, and energy-efficient lighting are incorporated in the design. The loan comes on top of a $2.8 million tax-increment financing package announced by the MEDC earlier this year. Additionally, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority will provide a $650,000 grant for infrastructure improvements. The project's total capital investment will be in the area of $37 million, according to the MEDC. A groundbreaking is planned for April or May of 2013, Martin says. After completion, the project is expected to generate six full-time and eight part-time jobs in maintenance, leasing, and general operations. Source: Joe Martin, MEDC community revitalization manager Writer: Tanya Muzumdar

Technology and Innovation

Tangent Medical Tech scores $8.6M in VC led by Arboretum Ventures

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Tangent Medical Technologies has landed millions of dollars more in seed capital thanks to a $8.6 million Series B round. The seed-capital round was also lead by Ann Arbor Arboretum Ventures. "We're getting ready to commercialize the product," says Jeff Williams, CEO of Tangent Medical Technologies. The Series B round of venture capital comes on the heels of Tangent Medical Technologies receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for the NovaCath Secure IV Catheter System. Tangent Medical Technologies' product integrates a series of next-generation technologies designed to address IV therapy challenges including catheter stabilization, healthcare worker safety, tubing management and patient comfort. NovaCath's passive needle shielding technology and closed system design is meant to minimize risk of needlestick injuries and occupational exposure to blood to the lowest feasible extent. Williams declined to comment on how many people work at Tangent Medical Technologies but did say the company "has hired a few people" over the last year. Source: Jeff Williams, CEO of Tangent Medical Technologies Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Economic Development

Protean Payment creates credit card consolidation technology

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Protean Payment wants to replace your credit cards, library cards and any card in your wallet with a swipe strip with one glass-card that does everything from the user's smartphone. "We came up with technology that mimics credit cards and it communicates through Blue Tooth," Thiago Olson, CEO of Protean Payment. The glass card is a unique substance that is more rigid than plastic but more bendable than glass. When it's dropped it clangs like glass but doesn't shatter. Olson says it's the world's first glass card. The technology and the mobile app that comes with it is being developed in Ann Arbor's Tech Brewery. The nearly 1-year-old start-up and its team of eight people recently won the Products and Services category at the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition last month. The $25,000 cash prize will go into product development so Protean Payment can launch early next year. "We're going for a nationwide launch in quarter 2 of next year," Olson says. Source: Thiago Olson, CEO of Protean Payment Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Technology and Innovation

Caelynx expands staff on strength of new software sales unit

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Source: Concentrate

Caelynx is continuing its seven-year-long growth streak thanks to organic expansion of its two traditional lines of business (staffing and services) and the addition of a new unit, software sales. The Ann Abor-based company is a computer-aided engineering firm that specializes in consulting services in the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, life science and consumer product industries. It recently received a Fast Track growth award Ann Arbor SPARK Four-Year FastTrack award for recording four years of annual growth of at least 20 percent. "Software will continue to play a more important role in our growth," says Hans Steiner, director of business development for Caelynx. The 7-year-old firm has has hired three people over the last year, expanding its staff to 22 employees and the occasional summer intern. Those new hires have included two engineers and one sales rep. Also helping boost Caelynx's growth is its diversification of its clientele. It has gone from primarily automotive, which still plays an important role in the company's bottom line, to have customers in the life sciences and medical devices industry. Source: Hans Steiner, director of business development for Caelynx 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.