Estrakon hires 8 as it aims to close $750,000 seed round
Estrakon is in the midst of two things these days: wrapping up a six-figure seed capital round and a job-creation spurt. The Ann Arbor-based LED sign manufacturer recently received a $250,000 investment from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund. So far it has raised $600,000 in this seed capital round, and hopes to close out the round when it gets to $750,000 by the end of the month. The investment is coming on the heels of some rapid growth in the... [Read More...]
Possibilities for Change Launches Nationwide Survey, Plans to add Jobs.
Possibilities for Change, a company leveraging University of Michigan developed technology, has recently announced the nationwide launch of a simple, 21-question survey designed to save young lives. It’s results alert school counselors, medical practitioners and social workers to risky behavior, paving the way to conversations that change how adolescents act. The company also plans to add 20 mostly white-collar jobs within 5 years. Possibilities... [Read More...]
Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $585,000 in Three Start-Ups
Three Michigan companies recently received investments from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, totaling $585,000. To date, the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, a collaborative effort of Michigan’s SmartZones, has awarded 63 Michigan companies with seed funding totaling more than $14 million. 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... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Supports FAAC Inc Expansion
FAAC Incorporated recently announced an expansion of their facility in Pittsfield Township. As part of the expansion, FAAC Incorporated, part of Arotech Corporation’s (NasdaqGM: ARTX) Training and Simulation Division, has acquired a 40,000 square foot facility and is expected to immediately add 10 jobs. With the support of Ann Arbor SPARK, FAAC was awarded a multi-year Industrial Facilities Tax incentive. The incentive helps FAAC expand into... [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...]
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...]
Michigan Receives A 2010 Silver Shovel Award
The 5th annual Gold and Silver Shovel awards were recently awarded to U.S. states to celebrate success in job creation and positive economic impact. The awards were given out by Area Development, a leading executive magazine covering site selection and facility planning. Silver Shovel awards are given to 10 states in three population categories. Michigan along with Texas and Florida received Silver Shovels in their 10 million population group. ... [Read More...]
