Innovation & Job News

U-M Dearborn begins new sustainability initiative with iPads

Metromode Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sustainability at the college level is no longer just about building retrofits and walkability. To wit: the University of Michigan-Dearborn recently received a $15,000 grant to initiate a pilot program that puts iPads into the hands of its School of Education students. The tablet computers are far more energy efficient than their laptop counterparts. For instance, a laptop battery will last an hour or two while an iPad battery is good for 10 hours or more.

The grant pays for 15 iPads, apps and software training at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The students and professors working on the fledgling initiative are also evaluating other new technologies that could help cut energy use.

"We have identified some technologies to integrate into classes," says Stein Brunvand, assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. "Our ultimate goal is to promote this sort of technology integration across all curriculums."

Brunvand's team is currently working on landing more grant money to expand the program later this year.

Source: Stein Brunvand, assistant professor of educational technology at the University of Michigan Dearborn
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Sphinx Technology Solutions doubles client base, plans first hire

Metromode Thursday, January 27, 2011

Ryan O'Hara had that safe job. The kind that is rooted in the new economy and paid for by the big corporation. But after a few years of working in IT and other computer-related fields for SBC and Quicken Loans, O'Hara knew there was more out there for him.

O'Hara started Sphinx Technology Solutions in Dearborn two years ago, working his day job while helping customers choose the best technology. Demand for his company's expertise soon outstripped the time he could put toward it while working for someone else, so he made that leap of faith into self-employment.

"More people were leaving these so-called safe jobs to do their own thing," O'Hara says. "For me it was equal parts fear and excitement."

Sphinx Technology Solutions, a Mac and PC support specialist, has grown exponentially over the last 6-8 months, growing from 10 clients to 20 in that time. O'Hara is expecting that growth to continue and is planning to bring on his first intern and hire this year to keep up.

Source: Ryan O'Hara, owner of Sphinx Technology Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Ford plans hundreds of Metro Detroit hires in 2011-12

Metromode Thursday, January 13, 2011

Ford has big plans for this year and next after executing one of the greatest business turnarounds ever. These plans call for 7,000 new hires over the next two years.

Ford officials haven't tipped their hands as to where most of those hires will take place, but there are set to be 750 salaried engineering positions. Think engineers who are working on Ford's new fuel-efficient vehicles, handling everything from battery technology to IT.

"It's fair to say a majority of these would be in Metro Detroit," says Marcey Evans, a spokeswoman for Ford.

Ford has reinvented itself as an automaker over the last five years with the arrival of Allan Mullaly as CEO. It has focused on developing environmentally friendly technologies, such as the Eco-Boost engine and hybrid vehicles. It has also been a pioneer in hands-free technology through its partnership with Microsoft that produced the Synch technology. These efforts and more allowed the Dearborn-based automaker to avoid bankruptcy in 2009.

Source: Marcey Evans, a spokeswoman for Ford
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Accelerate Michigan showcases state's new economy future

Metromode Thursday, December 16, 2010

One phrase came to mind when summing up the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition -- the future.

The new event showed off start-ups that organizers hope will be the future long-term leaders in Michigan's new economy to what they hope will be future near-term investors. The event was held in the University of Michigan's new North Campus Research Complex and featured Michigan's future governor as its keynote speaker. Future Michigan Economic Development Corp head Michael Finney even hinted at bigger prizes for the next Accelerate Michigan competition in the not-too-distant future.

"We're looking forward," Finney said during his remarks at the event. "We're looking at where we're going to go in the next 3-4 years in this state."

The potential of those next few years looked pretty good on stage last Saturday when the 10 finalists made their pitches. Metro Detroit had a healthy contingent among them, including Southfield's Innovating Surgical Solutions, Madison Heights/Ann Arbor's Gravikor, and a number of firms from Ann Arbor. Bloomfield Hills-based ENRG Power Systems, Troy-based MatchRX, and Farmington Hills-based CSquared Innovations each won $25,000 in the Advanced Transportation, Information Technology, and Next Gen Manufacturing categories, respectively.

Kalamazoo-based Armune BioScience (a U-M spin-off) and Arbor Photonics of Ann Arbor took first ($500,000) and second ($150,000) places. Four start-ups from U-M students swept the student competition and its $60,000 in prizes. In addition to the prize money, most of the entrants raved about the exposure to potential investors that the Accelerate Michigan competition provided. To many of them it was an opportunity to expect a brighter future for their start-ups.

"We have a very bright future," Gov.-elect Snyder said during his speech. "We just need to execute now."

Sources: Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition; Michael Finney, former CEO & president of Ann Arbor SPARK and current head of the Michigan Economic Development Corp; and Rick Snyder, governor-elect of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Big 3 announce investments worth $2 billion to Metro Detroit

metromode Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Big 3 are back to investing in Metro Detroit, announcing more than $2 billion worth of new investments that will help retain tens of thousands of jobs in everything from bending metal at factories to developing the newest lithium ion batteries.

Ford announced plans to spend $850 million on its Michigan facilities, a move that will help retain 28,000 jobs over the next five years. Chrysler also plans to invest $1 billion in its Sterling Heights and Dundee plants, which will keep about 20,000 jobs here. Ford and Chrysler received $909 million and $1.3 billion in state tax breaks over 20 years, respectively.

Perhaps the most encouraging to Metro Detroit's new economy are the investments planned by General Motors. The downtown Detroit-based automaker is investing about $150 million into the development and production of lithium ion batteries, the power source for new hybrid-electric cars like the Chevrolet Volt.

"It's one of our core areas now," says Kevin Kelly, manager of battery electric vehicle and hybrid communications for GM. "Vehicle electrification will play an important role in the company. We view it as important as the internal combustion engine."

General Motors is investing an additional $112 million into the Warren Tech Center's $2.5 billion project to further develop its battery development center. The new investment will add a hybrid electric vehicle battery and vehicle engineering and development operation, which is expected to create 900 new jobs. GM's Subsystems Manufacturing subsidiary is also expanding its battery module and pack assembly at its Brownstown facility. The $39.7 million investment is expected to retain an additional 150 jobs.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp and Kevin Kelly, manager of battery electric vehicle and hybrid communications for General Motors
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

U-M Dearborn names Livonia, Wixom top biz cities

Metromode Thursday, October 21, 2010

University of Michigan-Dearborn's Center for Innovation Research, commonly known as iLabs, has named Livonia and Wixom as two of the seven top-performing communities at fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development in its eCities 2010 study.

These top performers were recognized for their ability to communicate with businesses and capitalize on that ability to listen with their entrepreneurial programs. For instance, 94 percent of the businesses surveyed by iLabs said they wanted to be contacted by their local government. However, local officials have not reached out to a third of them.

"We approached it as the cities as businesses and the businesses as their customers," says Tim Davis, director of iLabs. "That left a lot of cities scratching their heads."

That wasn't the case with Livonia and Wixom. The two suburbs both had business programs that focused on communications. Livonia's Business Ambassador program leveraged the city's mid-sized firms to find smaller companies and reach out to them so it could create a more hospitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Wixom created an online networking hub that created a number of synergies and lines of communications between both businesses and the local government.

The eCities research surveyed more than 100 communities in the state of Michigan that are home to 128,242 entrepreneurs earning $3.4 billion in annual income. These communities also had commercial development projects valued at $1.2 billion last year and account for nearly half the state's commercial property.

Source: Tim Davis, director of iLabs
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Ford partners with Georgia Tech on water sustainability

Metromode Thursday, October 21, 2010

Ford is expanding its 7-year-old partnership with Georgia Tech to study and develop new ways to reduce water usage and make the most of the water it consumes.

"We're looking to do something different than just mandate efficiencies," says David Berdish, manager of social sustainability for Ford. "We're looking at different strategies for water-scarce regions."

Not that Ford hasn't done well with mandating such efficiencies. Between 2000 and 2008, the Dearborn-based automaker reduced its global water use by 56 percent (9.5 billion gallons) as part of its goal to minimize the environmental impact of its facilities. The difference with this new program is its focus on tailoring the policy for the region.

Researchers from both Ford and Georgia Tech will study different programs and benchmarks for water sustainability practices. Those programs will encompass climates where the resource is both plentiful and scare. The idea is to find the best practices to not only minimize water usage but also make sure the supply is not polluted.

The collaboration with Georgia Tech's Sustainable Design and Manufacturing program will help Ford determine the right manufacturing processes as the automaker's base expands into water-scarce areas like China, South Africa, and Mexico.

Source: David Berdish, manager of social sustainability for Ford
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

C Squared Innovations develops cheaper way to produce lithium ion batteries

metromode Thursday, October 14, 2010

Not all tech transfer comes from Michigan's research universities. For example, take C Squared Innovations, a startup founded from innovations created at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Pravansu Mohanty, a mechanical engineering professor at U-M Dearborn, developed a way to cut down the manufacturing costs of lithium ion batteries. "We have an innovative process that bypasses the manufacturing process the industry is developing right now," Mohanty says.

The technology, recently on display at U-M's Celebrate Innovation event, is currently undergoing prototype development by the company's three-person team, which includes an intern. Mohanty is looking for a commercial partner to help develop its niche manufacturing. He expects to land that partner within the next year, which should allow him to hire a few engineers with advanced degrees. Think PhDs.

"We plan to expand to 10 people," Mohanty says.

Source: Pravansu Mohanty, founder of C Squared Innovations
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Metro Detroit auto firms and manufacturers to invest $55.6M, hire 605 workers

Metromode Thursday, August 19, 2010

Automotive, manufacturing, and automotive manufacturing were all big winners in the latest round of job-creating tax breaks from the state of Michigan.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp doled out $89.4 million in tax breaks to nine companies and two brownfield developments that promise to create up to 1,085 jobs over the next decade. Five Metro Detroit automotive and manufacturing firms received $55.6 million in tax abatements that are expected to create 605 jobs.

One of the more prominent projects is a consolidation at Link Engineering that will create jobs in a new Dearborn location. The transportation engineering, testing, and manufacturing firm plans to invest $9.8 million over the next seven years while creating 59 new jobs. It was also looking at a site in Ohio, but chose to stay in Michigan with the help of a $789,787 state tax break and another one under consideration from the city of Dearborn.

The 75-year-old family owned business plans to execute this consolidation and expansion by the end of the year. It employs 200 people and a handful of interns and independent contractors.

"We do a fair amount of work with Ford, so Dearborn is attractive," says Tim Duncan, vice president of global test operations for Link Engineering. "Plus its location. It's close to the airport."

Among the other local projects:

- Hallite Seals Americas plans to spend $7.4 million to expand its Wixom operations, which will retain 152 jobs and create another 60 over the next five years. The manufacturer of sealing devices received a $475,445 tax break. It was also considering another site in Texas.

- KOSTAL Kontakt Systeme, an electric components manufacturing firm, will drop $27.1 million to relocate the existing production of its solar connector systems from Germany to Rochester Hills. It's a move that will create 247 new jobs, thanks to a $3.9 million state tax abatement over seven years.

- Commercial-vehicle supplier Metalsa Structural Products received a $1.9 million tax break over seven years in exchange for a $1.9 million investment in Novi. The company will relocate its global commercial and research and development operations, creating 65 new jobs here.

- Wolverine Assemblies will invest $8.4 million to set up a new office in Wixom that will perform value-added assemblies, sub-assemblies, testing, sequencing, and warehousing for various products. The investment, which has garnered a $785,166 state tax credit, is expected to create 174 jobs over five years.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corp and Tim Duncan, vice president of global test operations for Link Engineering
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ford poured $60M into university research over last 2 decades

Metromode Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ford Motor Company has invested $60 million into research in higher education over the last 20 years, and Michigan's universities have come away as beneficiaries.

The Dearborn-based automaker currently has grant projects with five Michigan-based universities, including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and the University of Detroit-Mercy. Michigan's schools of higher education make up seven of Ford's 20 domestic grant projects.

"The local universities get quite a lot," says Ed Krause, an external alliances manager at Ford. "Of our two strategic university alliances, one is here at the University of Michigan. The other is MIT."

These research projects span a number of areas, such as engine and emission control at U-M. Ford isn't going out of its way to pick local schools to conduct this type of critical research; local universities are just what rise to the top when it comes to picking a partner.

"We don't pick based on geography," Krause says. "We pick the best program, let the chips fall where they may."

Source: Ed Krause, an external alliances manager at Ford Motor Company
Writer: Jon Zemke

EcoV electric car debuts at Maker Faire

Metromode Thursday, August 05, 2010

Last weekend's Maker Faire at The Henry Ford was all about showcasing the inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are constantly creating new things. It was a perfect fit for Grosse Pointe Woods-based EnVironmental Transportation Solutions to showcase its invention � the EcoV.

The EcoV is a street-legal automobile that comfortably reaches 25 mph on surface streets. The all-electric vehicle has a range of 40 miles when fully charged and can run on 50 cents' worth of electricity for eight hours each day while producing zero emissions. It has a payload capacity of 1,000-1,500 pounds and retails for about $12,000.

"We've seen such a tremendous interest in the product that it's amazing to me," says Richard Marks, president of EnVironmental Transportation Solutions.

The six-person company has revamped its prototype vehicle so it looks "so much more finished and polished," according to Marks. It comes in both electric-only and electricity-generating propane versions. He has manufacturing lined up and is working to secure up to $4 million in seed capital to get the project into the market.

"We're looking to start production early next year," Marks says.

Source: Richard Marks, president of EnVironmental Transportation Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Ford developing new wireless crash avoidance system

Metromode Thursday, August 05, 2010

Ford's SYNC system was a small-yet-significant acceleration for drivers but a pedal to the metal for smart cars everywhere. The Dearborn automaker is now working on technology that could push the smart-car envelope even further and faster.

Ford is developing a new and advanced crash avoidance system that uses wireless and GPS technologies so automobiles can literally speak to each other and mitigate accidents. The Automatic Braking Intersection Collision Avoidance System utilizes radio-based wireless sensors, GPS, and navigation information to detect the relative location of other similarly equipped vehicles. The software would use this information to warn the driver of a potential collision and even begin braking.

Current technology based on radar and cameras can only find objects in front of and behind the vehicle. Ford's new radio-based wireless system provides a 360-degree view and uses advanced engineering algorithms to validate any threats and react accordingly in real time.

Such smart car technology has been developed by local universities, government agencies, and automakers for years. However, Ford's latest efforts represent an opportunity to make this a commercial reality, bringing it to market within the next few years.

Source: Ford
Writer: Jon Zemke

Future Help Designs hires 5 iPhone app developers

metromode Thursday, June 24, 2010

Christian Marcillo and Glen Konopaske were a couple of Mac fanatics working in retail and robotics respectively, dreaming of running their own start-up when the economy hit bottom in late 2008 and they lost their jobs. That allowed the pair to act on that ambition, forming Future Help Designs in Dearborn Heights. It wasn't long before their friends wanted in, too.

"We started having our friends and co-workers come up to us, saying we know you're working on something," Konopaske says. "We don't feel secure in our jobs so we want to be part of it."

The next thing they knew, 16 people with 185 years of software development experience between them were sitting down and rattling off ideas on how to create iPhone apps. That yielded 52 ideas which eventually became three iPhone games, such as Pop!Pop!Pop! - a game based on popping bubble wrap.

"We didn't have anything specific in mind," Marcillo says. "We just started putting together ideas."

The firm now has 21 employees working on new games with higher-quality animation. Developers are also working on a game for school psychologists that should be released soon. The company hopes to incorporate more daily life activities into its apps and to add a few more employees this year.

"We're looking at what we can do to take these apps to the next level," Konopaske says.

Source: Christian Marcillo and Glen Konopaske, co-founders of Future Help Designs
Writer: Jon Zemke

MyNewMarketplace.com combines eBay and Craigslist

metromode Thursday, June 24, 2010

Peder Blohm likes eBay and Craigslist well enough, but there were also things about the two sites he felt could be better. Rather than sending them a letter of recommendations he decided to make his own website, MyNewMarketplace.com, which combines the best aspects of each.

"I call it a hybrid between eBay and Craigslist," Blohm says. "It's eBay with the auction and Craigslist without the creep."

MyNewMarketplace.com offers easy navigation and a variety of options to buy and sell products and services, promote new businesses, post and search job openings, and support the local economy. The site will not include adult personal ads. It's similar to Blocket, a site based in Sweden.

Blohm and his team of seven are working with Essential IT, JCI Design, and Margo & Associates to get the site up and running with a scheduled release for this week.

Source: Peder Blohm, founder of MyNewMarketplace.com?
Writer: Jon Zemke

Metro Detroit firms rack up $327M in MEDC deals

metromode Thursday, June 17, 2010

Metro Detroit companies took the vast majority of the latest round of job-creating tax deals from the Michigan Economic Development Corp, which means $327 million in new investments and 805 new jobs in the next few years.

The tax breaks span a number of different sectors, including traditional automotive in Redford Township, new age tech companies in Southfield, along with Internet and bio-tech firms in Ann Arbor. All of them worked through local and state economic development agencies to come up with the best solution to expand their businesses in southeast Michigan.

"They both did a very good job of helping us understand the benefits of growing here in Ann Arbor," says Scott Robertson, managing partner of Grand River, which plans to invest $1 million into expanding its Ann Arbor office.

The biggest investments are coming from automotive firms.

Detroit Diesel, a heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturer, plans to invest $194 million to expand its Redford Township operations. That investment will preserve 1,900 jobs at the facility. Making this possible is a state tax credit valued at $56.8 million over 11 years and a smaller tax abatement from Redford Township
Fisher & Company, an automotive seat component supplier, chose to invest $14.8 million in its St. Clair Shores and Sterling Heights facilities. A $778,358 state tax abatement over seven years is expected to save 189 jobs and help spur the creation of up to 138 more. Both automotive suppliers chose their Metro Detroit facilities over competing sites in Mexico.

WABCO North America, a tier-one supplier to the commercial vehicle industry, plans to invest $6.2 million to create a new division in Rochester Hills, a move that will create up to 274 new jobs. It received a state tax credit of $1 million over five years and the city of Rochester Hills is also considering a tax credit.
Troy-based Witzenmann, a manufacturer of flexible metallic components, expects to invest $13.1 million to expand its Troy presence. The project is expected to create 75 direct jobs thanks to a 10-year tax credit worth $325,354.

Five technology companies in Metro Detroit also came away with tax credits. They include:

National Logistics Management, a Landstar subsidiary specializing in supply-chain logistics technology, plans to invest $12.5 million in its Southfield facilities. The company expects to retain 122 jobs and create another 163 thanks to a $2.7 million state tax credit over five years.
Dearborn-based Nexcess.net, a web-hosting firm, will create 42 jobs over the next six years by investing $4.2 million to convert a building in Southfield into a data center for Web hosting and software development. It received a state tax credit valued at $202,081 to entice it to choose Michigan over Indiana and Illinois.
SPX Corporation, a Warren-based infrastructure tech firm, will spend the next five years investing $402,000 to create 34 new jobs. The firm will provide support to automotive companies launching plug-in electric vehicles. The MEDC gave it a $377,672 state tax credit and the city of Warren is considering a $10,000 abatement.
Ann Arbor-based NanoBio, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in vaccines, plans to invest $1.4 million in its expansion plans that will create 32 new jobs. It received a state tax credit of $434,378 over five years and the city of Ann Arbor is considering a tax abatement of $800,000 over that same period.
Grand River, an e-commerce company based in Ann Arbor, plans to create 48 new jobs through a $1 million investment in its facilities over the next five years. It had been considering a competing site in Wisconsin when a $361,376 state tax credit help convince it to stay in Michigan.

Source: Scott Robertson, managing partner of Grand River, and the Michigan Economic Development Corp
Writer: Jon Zemke

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