The Career Matchmaker let users assess their skills or desired skills and identify the industries, occupations and employers within those industries for subsequent job searches. Visitors can also select industries and find the skills needed for occupations in the selected industry. Once an occupation or industry is identified, users can use the Career Investment Calculator to determine the investment value of the training or education needed for their desired career.

Amy Cell, Senior Vice President, Talent Enhancement for the MEDC, commented, “This is going to be such an amazing resource to job seekers, parents, veterans and career counselors.” The MiTalent site and applications were highlighted in a press conference by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on December 1, 2011.

The InfoReady matchmaking platform connects people with information using a powerful search and discovery engine coupled with familiar social media tools for an easy, intuitive interface. “We have built our software specifically to meet the growing requirements for easy-to-use information matchmaking and collaboration applications in this age of information explosion. We are excited that we have the opportunity to implement our software to energize Michigan careers,” stated Bhushan Kulkarni, CEO of InfoReady Corporation.

Compliant Healthcare Technologies, LLC was founded in 2006 with a desire to take medical piped gas systems evaluations, maintenance and compliance to a new level.  CHT partners with healthcare facilities to help them achieve Joint Commission and Environment of Care compliance with world-class service.  Through the use of a unique and comprehensive patent-pending software and service (CHxProgram), healthcare facilities have the ability to evaluate the current status of their medical piped gas system(s) from source equipment to patient terminal, at any time.  As a “Partner in Compliance”, CHT offers:

• Medical piped gas systems evaluations, inspections, and verifications
• Medical piped gas systems deficiency corrections and maintenance
• Environmental monitoring services and passive dosimeter badges
• Parts and equipment sales (i.e. pumps, compressors, regulators, alarms, valves)
• Design, diagrams, plan reviews and documentation services for medical piped gas systems
• Construction and project management services for medical piped gas systems
• ASSE instructor led or online training courses (6005, 6010, 6020/30, 6040)

CHT’s mission is to deliver quality medical services, cultivating partnerships through the use of innovative technological solutions, skilled service professionals and enriching educational programs that differentiate CHT as the national leader in the healthcare industry.  CHT services healthcare facilities nationwide at over 600 locations.  It is headquartered in Raleigh, NC, and has regional offices in Cleveland, OH, Chicago, IL, Louisville, KY, Richmond, VA, and now Ann Arbor, MI.

Possibilities for Change has received funding and support from Ann Arbor SPARK. After being introduced to SPARK through the U of M Office of Tech Transfer, they have received several Phase III business engagements from SPARK. This type of engagement typically offers consulting, connections to executive and technical talent, marketing and business development services, as well as entrepreneurial educational programs, to name a few. 

Last year, Possibilities for Change participated in one such education program, SPARK’s Entrepreneur Boot Camp. During this program they made a key connection with Ted Dacko, an Ann Arbor entrepreneur best known for rescuing a small, near-death company called Health Media and growing it into an enterprise so successful it was bought by Johnson & Johnson. Ted continues to work with them today.

The company is led by Dr. Jennifer Salerno, a nurse practitioner who directs the University of Michigan Regional Alliance for Healthy Schools’ School-Based Health Center Program. Her work with adolescents spans 15+ years and led to the creation of the survey, called Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services (RAAPS). For more information about the assessment and Possibilities for Change, please see the announcement on their webpage.

The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund companies have attracted more than $18 million in matching grant and equity funds.  In 2011, the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund made 12 investments totaling $2.4 million, matched with more than $2 million in investments and grants.  Combined, the Michigan Pre-Seed Fund investments have helped to create more than 100 jobs in Michigan.

“We continue to receive applications from entrepreneurs around the state who are raising their first round of equity funding for their innovative, technology-based businesses,” said Skip Simms, Ann Arbor SPARK’s senior vice president and administrator of the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund.  “This interest in funding is a clear sign that Michigan’s entrepreneurial spirit is strong.”

The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund supports a start-up’s commercialization efforts.  Specific innovations include:

Detroit-based Clean Emission Fluids, Inc. (CEF) manufactures patent pending clean energy technologies (FAST™ stations) that provide onsite fuels and fluids for commercial truck fleets. CEF currently has six stations deployed with six additional stations planned for delivery by the end of 2011.

“The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund’s support and investment in Clean Emission Fluids is an invaluable resource to help advance our leading-edge and patent-pending FAST Truck Stops in a Box that offer on-demand and on-site blending of any fuel in any proportion,” said Oliver F. Baer, CEF president and co-founder.  “FAST stations track the performance of every gallon, proportion and fuel type dispensed – including biofuels and emission fluids – to optimize vehicle operations and lower prices at the pump. Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund has been vital to our developing success and establishing a solid framework on which to build – while helping boost Michigan’s economy in high return, job creating industries.”

Estrakon employees manufacturing their LED product

Estrakon, based in Ann Arbor, is a technology company that designs, develops and manufactures custom innovative, patented LED Edge-Lit signs and displays that provide a new medium for many broad applications such as premium brand advertising and attractive consumer displays that offer significant return on investment.

“The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund was instrumental in allowing our organization to stay on top of the influx of new business that we were experiencing in mid 2011,” said Matt Shumate, Eskatron founder.  “We have added new equipment, more staff and increased our production space to accommodate the rapid growth.

Ix Innovations, based in Ann Arbor, enhances the usability of electrical test and measurement instrumentation through continual product innovation. Ix’s products are used throughout science and engineering, in diverse fields including low power electronics, energy harvesting, and in teaching labs worldwide.

“The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund financing allows Ix Innovations to fill key management positions,” said Ian Dailey, president of Ix Innovations.  “This funding is critical to fueling research activities and enabling us to bring our next-generation low power measurement instruments to market.”

The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund is an equity fund that invests in technology-based companies to support business formation and acceleration.  Ann Arbor SPARK serves as the Fund’s administrator.

To qualify for the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, start-up companies must be based on a technology in one of the state’s identified competitive technologies and have the sponsorship of a local SmartZone.  In addition to SmartZone sponsorship, companies must have received grant, angel or venture capital funding as a match with the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund investment.

The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund is an equity investment fund that receives the same returns as the third party investor.  The returns that the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund receives from its investments will be redeployed by the Fund as first round capital to Michigan-based start-ups.

Funds for this initiative were provided by the 21st Century Jobs Fund, a Michigan Strategic Fund program designed to accelerate the growth and diversification of Michigan’s economy.  The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (“MEDC”), a public-private partnership between the state and local communities, provides administrative support for the 21st Century Jobs Fund.  The MEDC markets Michigan and provides the tools and environment to drive job creation and investment. For more information on the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative, visit www.michiganadvantage.org.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit.  Finding a suitable parking spot was not the easiest thing in the world, but I did manage to find one without much of a walk.  Cobo was decorated in it’s typical festive style this time of year, with every Auto Maker doing its best to impress the crowds of fans, peers, and societal elite that would be walking the floors over the next two weeks.

SPARK was there to celebrate the announcement of Hyundai’s Tech Center expansion. Hyundai is investing over $15 million in the expansion project, which it anticipates will create 50 new high tech automotive research and development jobs over the next three years.  Hyundai had considered expanding in several other states, but eventually decided on Superior Township because they offered a proposal that best fit their needs.  SPARK is excited about the funding structure that sealed the deal with Hyundai. It’s a creative model that SPARK used to pull together the state, Superior Township, and Hyundai.

Once at the show, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dr. Cho, the new President of Hyundai North America’s Technology Center.  Dr. Cho, a Stanford University Graduate, spent 5 1/2 years in Palo Alto. He recently gave this quote pertaining to the expansion in AnnArbor.com:

“This investment … in Michigan reinforces Hyundai and Kia’s commitment to U.S. vehicle development and American jobs,” said Won Suk Cho, president of the technical center, in a statement. “Investing in our locations, products and people is critical to Hyundai and Kia’s ability to compete with the best in the business. Hyundai and Kia are committed to doing everything it takes to work with its partners, including the state of Michigan, to be competitive in the marketplace.”

Hyundai, Superior Township, SPARK, and MEDC in front of the Hyundai Elantra.

There was a ton of press, MEDC personnel, and other economic development partners at the press event for Hyundai’s announcement.  Also in attendance at the event, were Governor Snyder and engineering students from 7 different universities.  The Governor had some great lines of advice to this group.  First, he recalled his own experience of deciding to stay in Detroit as an accountant, which obviously worked out for him!  He also encouraged the young talent to stay in Detroit, a city where they have the opportunity to make a difference.

We finished our trip to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with a photo in front of the 2012 Car of the Year, the Hyundai Elantra. It was a whirlwind couple of hours, but really nice to see the Design and Engineering Talent in Detroit on display all in one place!

“Since joining Ann Arbor SPARK, I’ve met with more than 80 business owners who are advancing our region’s economy; there’s an incredible depth of expertise in our region,” said Krutko.  “The podcast series is designed to not only highlight that expertise, but also make it available to others who could benefit from the wisdom those business leaders can share.”

The podcasts will feature successful local businesses, business owners and business leaders.  Throughout these conversations, the CEOs will share best practices, lessons learned and an “in the trenches” view of the region’s economy.

The first podcast, available now on Ann Arbor SPARK’s website, is an insightful conversation with Mary Sue Coleman, president of University of Michigan.  Coleman discusses the role of a research university in economic development and the impact of University of Michigan’s partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK on the region.

Subsequent Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Podcasts: Conversations on Economic Opportunity, will feature regional leaders, including Ken Fischer, president of the University Musical Society, Mike Miller, head of Google Ann Arbor, Jan Garfinkle, managing director of venture capital firm Arboretum Ventures, and many more.

Ann Arbor SPARK will release new podcasts on its website every two weeks through 2012.  A full schedule of podcasts is available on SPARK’s webpage.

Paul Krutko with Dr. Won Suk Cho, President, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. in front of the 2012 Car of the Year.

Hyundai is investing over $15 million in the expansion project, which it anticipates will create 50 new high tech automotive research and development jobs over the next three years.

“Ann Arbor SPARK’s business development team proactively works with businesses in the region to meet their needs as they grow and evolve,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO.  “Working with Hyundai, Ann Arbor SPARK was able to identify ways that the region and state could support the growth of the company’s North American technical center.

“Superior Township was a critical partner; the Township’s willingness to provide incentives for Hyundai’s expansion is crucial support for the new project,” Krutko added. “It’s this type of collaborative economic development between Ann Arbor SPARK, the state and regional communities that makes business choose to locate and grow here.

The Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. is a key design, technology, and engineering facility for Korean-based Hyundai-Kia Motors Group. This investment continues to demonstrate that the Ann Arbor region and southeast Michigan is a global hub for automotive research and development.

The newly patented technology is integral to the company’s DataMine distributed relational database architecture that collects and aggregates user-level data unmatched in depth and quality. Sophisticated heuristic reporting intelligence in the SysTrack data platform utilizes this technology to deliver unprecedented insight into application usage and resource utilization. This insight powers the company’s solutions for User Experience Scoring, End-to-End Monitoring, Problem Diagnostics, VDI Assessment & Planning and Power Management that empower IT with the actionable information to dramatically improve user productivity and reduce costs. The ultra-high efficiency of the patented data collection and aggregation technology enables SysTrack to massively scale to over one million nodes.

“Business intelligence solutions for IT are only as good as the underlying technology: the better the data collected, the better IT’s decisions will be. Our expertise in data collection and aggregation as evinced by our three patents ensures that our solutions provide our customers with superior data and unparalleled insight.”
Mike Schumacher, founder & CEO, Lakeside Software

One of these firms who will be adding new talent is Arbor Networks, a Massachusetts based information technology security firm who operates its research and development office here in the City of Ann Arbor. The 78-person office will be undergoing a major investment after the company received a five-year tax abatement from the City of Ann Arbor in October. Our team walked the firm through the tax abatement process and helped them complete their application. This was crucial considering that that staff members responsible for the abatement were located in Massachusetts. The firm committed to making $883,527 in real property improvements and $7.8 million in new personal property and equipment investment. As part of the agreement, Arbor Networks committed to adding no less than 20 jobs by December 31, 2013.

DAPCO Industries is a family owned and operated company that has been in business in Dexter, Michigan since 1943. Today, DAPCO has become a leader in the small engine component industry. Our team completed the tax abatement application alongside DAPCO staff and prepared their team for the public hearing process. Our support throughout the process allowed DAPCO staff to continue to focus on their day-to-day responsibilities while we put their data into a formal application. The company was unanimously approved a 12-year tax abatement by the Dexter Village Council on November 28^th. The abatement was for $1.286 million of investment in personal property and about $879,000 in real property improvements in the village. The company plans to add 8,500 square feet in factory space and ten jobs.

QED Environmental Systems, a supplier of environmental remediation products, moved into a larger building in the Village of Dexter’s industrial park earlier this year. Our team guided them through the tax abatement process and helped them complete their application. Our team’s support and recommendations were extremely useful so that QED staff could focus on maintaining business throughout their move. The company was granted a ten-year tax abatement in November by the Dexter Village Council. The firm also has offices in Pennsylvania and California but chose to make their investment of $104,498 in new personal property and $758,043 in machinery and equipment here in Michigan. The company, which employs 49 employees, is expected to add five new jobs over the next two years, according to the tax abatement application.

“MEDC support for Ann Arbor SPARK’s East incubator extends and enhances opportunities for start-ups throughout the region,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK. “Business incubators play an important role in our economy: The start-ups that receive assistance through SPARK East attract investment, retain talent and create jobs here in the region. Ann Arbor SPARK business incubators provide the critical support that start-ups need to become drivers of economic success.”

Ann Arbor SPARK was awarded $500,000 for the SPARK East business incubator, located in Ypsilanti, Mich. The funding will enable Ann Arbor SPARK to offer additional business incubator scholarships and business acceleration programming. The funding will also support new services developed specifically for students, including entrepreneur education.

To date, 42 start-ups have been assisted through programs and support offered at the SPARK East business incubator.