U-M Tech Transfer breaks records in tech commercialization
Officials at the University of Michigan Office of Tech Transfer like to say that they are striving for more quality start-ups rather than more stats. That doesn't mean they can't do both. The university recorded 101 license and options for its technology in the fiscal year ending on June 30. That's more than any other previous year. U-M researchers also recorded 322 inventions and filed for 122 patents. U-M also helped launch 11 start-ups... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK brokers Liebherr-Aerospace expansion in Saline
Ann Arbor SPARK has made its work practically synonymous with growing start-ups, but the business accelerator is doing more to grow other new economy segments of the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The latest example of that is the expansion of Liebherr-Aerospace's operations in Saline. The aerospace supplier is expanding its 100,000-square-foot facility by another 33,000 square feet for landing gear manufacturing. It's an expansion... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Awarded $250,000 by U.S. Economic Development Administration to Develop Business Accelerator Model
Yesterday, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration announced a $250,000 grant award to Ann Arbor SPARK. The funding will support development of a business accelerator model that can be used by communities throughout the U.S. Initially, the model will be deployed in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, providing a full range of business development services to tech-based start-up companies. “Ann Arbor SPARK is emerging... [Read More...]
Hygieia Secures $1.5M in Capital to Accelerate Product Commercialization
Medical device firm Hygieia recently secured $1.5 million in investment capital from Oakwood Medical Investors, a physician-managed venture fund in St. Louis, Missouri. Hygieia has developed the Diabetes Insulin Guidance System (DIGS), a handheld device that helps insulin-takers effectively manage their diabetes. DIGS adjusts insulin dosage weekly, to help patients get better. The investment comes on the heels of a study presented at the June American... [Read More...]
Kauffman Study Shows Impact of Business Accelerator Efforts on SE Michigan Start-Ups
A new Kauffman Foundation study shows the results of business accelerator efforts by Southeast Michigan’s economic development organizations. Combined, Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator and TechTown , collectively known as the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, have: Created more than 1,000 jobs Invested approximately $18 million in hundreds of start-up companies Secured more than $101.2 million in... [Read More...]
Congratulations to e-CYREN for Winning the Tweet Award!
At the Michigan Emerging conference on Wednesday, CYJ Enterprises won the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Tweet Award. The company’s Twitter submission focused on their business product, e-CYREN, a free online database of emergency information for schools and daycare programs. Their posting, “In case of emergency first responders can quickly alert loved ones and have access to your vital medical info 24×7 www.ecyren.com,”... [Read More...]
Two Ann Arbor SPARK Companies Mentioned in Fortune Article
Fortune’s recent “Tales of Rejuvenation in Motor City” includes two companies from the Ann Arbor region. Gerry Cox, courtesy of Fortune Velesco Pharmaceutical Services’ Gerry Cox talks about his transition from a large pharmaceutical company to founder of a start-up. Velesco is an Ann Arbor SPARK Business Accelerator company. Daniel Gizaw, courtesy of Fortune Danotek Motion Technologies, a company supported through the Michigan Pre-Seed... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Takes Top Honors at MEDA, IEDC Awards
Ann Arbor SPARK’s marketing materials recently took top honors from the Michigan Economic Development Association. Also, our business accelerator was awarded honorable mention from the International Economic Development Council. Valerie Christofferson accepts Ann Arbor SPARK's IEDC award. L to R: William Best, FM – Chairman of the IEDC Board of Directors; Christofferson; Timothy Solomon, CEcD – Chairman of the IEDC Awards Task Force... [Read More...]
Reflection on the IEDC Annual Conference: Day Two
This week, I’m sharing my experiences from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2010 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Day 2: It was a gloomy start with temperatures around 60 and rain but my morning tour of Technology and Higher Education really stood out in the trip. We toured the Ohio Supercomputer Center, TechColumbus, and the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC). All three locations were very unique in their infrastructure... [Read More...]
Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Announced
The Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a new region-wide network for building and retaining new business in southeast Michigan, today announces the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, an international business plan competition designed to highlight Michigan as a robust and vibrant venue for innovation and business opportunity. read more>> Read More →
