Ypsilanti spawned start-ups take $650K, top spots at Accelerate Michigan

Last year it was Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor at the inaugural Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. This year is was Ypsilanti's turn to take center stage.

Ypsilanti not only successfully hosted the $1 million business plan competition, but firms with deep ties to the little college that could took the top two prizes worth a combined $650,000 in seed capital. Life sciences start-up DeNovo Sciences took first place while green tech firm Fusion Coolant Systems landed in second.

"As innovators you are doing exactly what our country needs to lead us back to greatness," said Peter Perez, deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing for the U.S. Depart­ment of Commerce, during his address at Accelerate Michigan's awards gala.

Last year when start-ups based in Ann Arbor or with roots in Tree Town practically ran away with every award, Priya Gogoi worked the crowd for Denovo Sciences, her own start-up she and some friends were trying to get off the ground in Ypsilanti. The start-ups is developing a method of transmitting blood samples from a remote region to a clinical laboratory via cell phone technology as an early warning system for cancer.

For the second Accelerate Michigan competition, the three-person team (which recently brought HandyLab co-founder Kalyan Handique on as CEO and now occupies space at the Michigan Life Sciences & Innovation Center in Plymouth) stood on stage with a $500,000 check for first prize. Not bad for a trio that had to volunteer at the first Accelerate Michigan to get in.

Also sharing the stage and limelight is Ypsilanti-based Fusion Coolant Systems. The green tech start-up is developing a cutting fluid for industrial use that is both more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It took home second place and a $150,000 check.

Source: Peter Perez, deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing, U.S. Depart­ment of Commerce
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.