Innovation & Job News

DASI Solutions grows with rapid prototyping machines, adding staff

Metromode Thursday, March 03, 2011

DASI Solutions got its start with engineering software work for automotive companies 15 years ago.

Today the Pontiac-based company has diversified not only its own client base in that area, but also its offerings. It recently began selling a rapid prototyping machine from Israel-based Objet that creates 3-D prototypes in a matter of hours instead of the standard weeks-long timeline. The new offering allowed DASI Solutions to take on a number of new clients, such as Stryker and Rousch Racing.

"The flood gates opened at the end of this last year," says David Darbyshire, engineer and partner of DASI Solutions. "We sold $2 million of these machines. We normally do $6 million in business." The machines retail for between $20,000 and $250,000 apiece.

The company now has 28 employees, two independent contractors, and an intern after hiring four people in the last year. It expects to add two more jobs by this summer to keep up with demand for its services. Expanding into the prototyping field has the added advantage of finding new customers in different sectors it wouldn't normally come into contact with.

"It's fun," Darbyshire says. "It makes me feel like an entrepreneur again."

Source: David Darbyshire, engineer and partner of DASI Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

3-D ETC expands into Wash. D.C. and Houston markets, plans for 50% staff growth

Metromode Monday, February 07, 2011

At 3-D ETC, new revenue doesn't equal new product offerings. In fact, it's the inverse of that equation.

The safety-training company watched its revenue climb 125 percent last year, but that wasn't as important as growing its product offerings. The 7-year-old firm went from offering four programs in 2009 to 11 last year. It plans to continue to invest heavily in new product development.

"We're growing the company through product offerings," says Dave Hodgson, president of 3-D ETC. "Our goal is to offer 20 different products by the end of 2011."

3-D ETC, based in Pontiac, provides unique, proprietary programs that immerse employees into realistic 3-D experiences meant to change the way they think about safety. The training programs simulate live situations, giving people the virtual sensations and emotional impacts of their actions.

Traditionally, that has meant industrial customers with potentially dangerous workplaces. However, 3-D ETC plans to expand that focus by going after the health-care industry. This plan has allowed the company to add three jobs in 2010, expanding its staff to eight employees, six independent contractors, and the occasional intern. It plans to increase its staff by 50 percent this year as it expands into the Washington, D.C., and Houston markets.

Source: Dave Hodgson, president of 3-D ETC
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Oakland County announces cloud computing, Wi-Fi initiatives

Metromode Thursday, February 03, 2011

Oakland County is making more and more of its IT and tech services wireless, according to County Executive L Brooks Patterson in his State of the County speech on Tuesday.

Oakland County will introduce a cloud computing initiative where it will conduct its own IT services through the cloud computing platform, and offer the services to local municipalities. The new program will eliminate the need for each local government entity to have its own servers and applications, instead accessing the county's for a nominal fee. The first offering will be Oakland County's eHealth software.

The county is also revamping its Wireless Oakland initiative with a new partnership with Frankenmuth-based Air Advantage. The 8-year-old Internet provider will provide Wi-Fi services to communities in northern Oakland County, utilizing the county's towers. In exchange for selling these services, Air Advantage will provide free wireless Internet in some downtowns, starting with Holly, Oxford and Clarkston. More communities will be announced later this year.

"Our philosophy is all people should have access to the Internet," says Scott Zimmer, president of Air Advantage. "The Internet is becoming a necessary utility like electricity or water."

Making this deal possible is a $64 million grant from the federal stimulus package. The grant is meant to help Air Advantage make Internet services available in underserved areas within a 13-county section of eastern Michigan. That section stretches from Bay County to the north, Shiawassee County to the west and Oakland County to the south.

Source: Oakland County and Scott Zimmer, president of Air Advantage
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Oakland Co Medical Main St hits $21M in investment

Metromode Thursday, January 13, 2011

Oakland County's Medical Main Street notched a strong 2010, attracting $21 million in investment that retained or attracted about 600 jobs.

The Medical Main Street program began in 2008 as a tool to help diversify Oakland County's economy by growing the health-care and life-science industries. Those industries represent 93,000 jobs today and are expected to create 45,000 new jobs over the next decade. The program helped six companies relocate or expand their operations in Oakland County.

"In the next couple of months you'll hear about more companies moving into the area," says Irene Spanos, senior business development representative for the Oakland County Economic Development Team. "We have a lot of projects in the pipeline."

This year's totals are up from four deals worth $5.2 million in investment that took place in 2009. Spanos is expecting an even better 2011. She points to Oakland University's new medical school opening this year and its new stem cell center as reasons for optimism.

"This is going to be a good resource for us," Spanos says. "We can build on that."

Source: Irene Spanos, senior business development representative for the Oakland County Economic Development Team
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

i3Logic sees 40% revenue growth, plans to hire

metromode Thursday, October 07, 2010

Rebound is a good word for i3Logic these days, mainly because it's one that's allowing the consulting company to grow.

"We're almost back to our peak, 2007, for revenue," says Rom LaPointe, president of i3Logic. "That's a 40-percent increase since last year."

That growth has allowed the downtown Pontiac-based company to make 4 new hires. It now has 25 employees, 30 independent contractors and the occasional intern. The company expects to add more people over the next 3-6 months. "We'll probably bring on a person a quarter over the next year," LaPointe says.

The 6-year-old firm specializes in consulting, such as change management, one of i3Logics' top growing sectors. Its business fell off when the economy contracted in 2008. The consultancy has rebounded since then through expanded work with new and existing clients.

Source: Rom LaPointe, president of i3Logic
Writer: Jon Zemke

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

Pushtwentytwo expands online presence, adds jobs in downtown Pontiac

Metromode Thursday, September 02, 2010

The economy hit pushtwentytwo like most other businesses in 2008-09, but now the public relations/marketing agency is on the rebound and hiring.

The 6-year-old company recently added two positions in its downtown Pontiac headquarters and is looking for two more in administration and graphic design. It currently employs 14 people and the occasional independent contractor or intern. It expects to make 2-4 more hires over the next year.

That's on top of the company's revenue growing by 25-30 percent since the recession hit its peak. But pushtwentytwo's leadership is being a bit cautious as the economic recovery begins to take hold.

"As much as our clients are spending money again they are being very careful, so we have to be very accountable," says Mike Verville, partner with pushtwentytwo.

The firm is expanding its online presence to fuel growth by moving into more Internet services, such as web development and social media. "There are a lot of opportunities for companies looking to enter the digital space, and companies that have been quiet for a while."

Source: Mike Verville, partner with pushtwentytwo
Writer: Jon Zemke

Healthcare providers team up on blood clot prevention

Metromode Thursday, September 02, 2010

A group of prominent healthcare organizations are partnering to cut the occurrence of blood clots by as much as 50 percent over the next two years in a coordinated effort to improve patient care and reduce medical costs.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, and the University of Michigan Medical Center are leading the effort with 16 hospitals from across the state, including Beaumont and Oakwood healthcare systems. The idea is that this collaboration, part of Value Partnerships, will expand its focus.

"The expectation is the collaboration will take on other things as the years go by," says Tom Leyden, manager of clinical program development for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

For now, the new initiative will focus on getting the state's major hospitals to reduce the risk of blood clots, a common problem that causes further sickness or even death. The new consortium will work in unison to study, benchmark, and implement best practices to eliminate preventable blood clots.

Just about all patients who are hospitalized are at risk of suffering adverse effects from clotting, some of which are often as serious as death. A double-digit reduction would be a seen as a big step forward.

"It's not perfect," says Scott Flanders, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center and the project director for this initiative. "We're never going to be able to get rid of these things."

Sources: Scott Flanders, professor of medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center; Tom Leyden, manager of clinical program development for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke

Pontiac, Detroit, Hamtramck focus of MSU broadband project

Metromode Thursday, August 26, 2010

Pontiac will be one of the first cities to receive more computers and better Internet service thanks to a $6 million program Michigan State University plans to launch later this fall.

The Oakland County seat, along with Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park, will receive dozens of computers for local libraries, public housing centers, community centers and community colleges. This will include both desktops and laptops, along with faster Wi-Fi connections at these facilities.

"It will be a matter of computers popping up all over the place in the Detroit area," says Kurt DeMaagd, assistant professor of telecommunications at Michigan State University. "It will add up to about 70 locations in total over the first year." He adds that Metro Detroit will receive about a third of the $6 million federal stimulus grant funding the program.

The entire program expects to install 2,232 computers in 207 locations in Metro Detroit, Benton Harbor, Saginaw, Muskegon Heights and Flint. Organizers expect the new computers and increased access to the Internet will allow residents in these areas greater access to education, job training and job searchers/applications rooted in the new economy. The money will also help Michigan expand its e-Library program services.

Michigan State has already begun the process of implementing these computer/broadband Internet resources and training local people how to use them. The first round of funding worth $1 million began installing 500 computers in 88 libraries across the state, primarily in rural areas that will serve an extra 13,000 people.

Source: Kurt DeMaagd, assistant professor of telecommunications at Michigan State University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Pontiac's RazorThreat adds clients, staff

Metromode Thursday, August 26, 2010

Greg Guidice isn't afraid of the rise in Internet crime. In fact he sees it as an opportunity. Of course, it helps that he is CEO of a computer security firm � RazorThreat.

"The cyber crime industry is larger than the illegal drug industry," Guidance says. "It's a $900 billion a year industry. In 2008, the private sector lost $1 trillion to cyber crime."

Which is turning into a window of opportunity for the downtown Pontiac-based firm that only opens wider. The 4-year-old company started with three people and now employs five with an occasional independent contractor. More hires could be on hand in the next year as it continues to grow.

RazorThreat has focused on expanding its revenues and profit margins, partly by attracting more public sector clients. It's now looking to partner with more technology firms, such as reseller who can distribute its product.

"We're also looking for strategic partners where our products are complimentary," Guidice says.

Source: Greg Guidice, CEO of RazorThreat
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland County Medical Main St attracts $11M in investment, 275 jobs

Metromode Thursday, August 12, 2010

Healthcare, an industry long taken for granted in Metro Detroit, is proving to be an increasingly strong job source in Oakland County.

The Oakland County Medical Main Street program has attracted $11 million in investment, creating 275 new positions, over the last two years. The latest round comes from Royal Oak Medical Devices. The company plans to spend $2.6 million to expand its medical device design, manufacturing, and distributing operations, a move that is expected to create 26 new jobs over the next few years.

"In the past we have taken these jobs a little for granted because they were part of our infrastructure," says Maureen Krauss, director of the Dept of Economic Development and Community Affairs at Oakland County.

No longer. Oakland County's life sciences industry employs 93,000 people and is projected to create another 45,000 jobs over the next decade, according to a study by the Anderson Economic Group. This industry also has deep roots in the research sectors. Just under 4,900 clinical trials are currently underway in Oakland County -- more than what is taking place in California, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.

Oakland County started its Medical Main Street program in 2008 with the idea of helping fast-track growth in the life sciences industry. "It keeps the talent, assets, and people here," Krauss says. "It's a really strong part of our retention program."

Source: Maureen Krauss, director of the Dept of Economic Development and Community Affairs at Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland County's Emerging Sectors program hits $194M in investment

Metromode Thursday, July 15, 2010

If Metro Detroit's economy is turning a corner, then chances are it's going to be first apparent in the numbers from its new economy programs, like Oakland County's Emerging Sectors. The signs are looking good.

The business attraction and retention program for Oakland County has helped facilitate $194 million in new investment and create about 5,900 new jobs through June. That's enough to surpass total numbers in both categories for all of 2009. County officials expect similar growth for the rest of this year.

"It's certainly a great trend," says Maureen Krauss, director of economic development and community affairs for Oakland County. "So many projects that were on hold last year are back on track again."

The Emerging Sectors program began in 2004 with plans to diversify the county's economy and replace vanishing manufacturing jobs. It helps international companies looking to expand their North American operations and local firms based in the new economy.

Some of the recent investments include WABCO Reman Services of Rochester Hills investing $6 million and creating 228 new jobs; Southfield's Direct Sourcing spending $2 million to create 100 new jobs and retain 80 others; and EcoStore USA (Auburn Hills) putting $2.5 million towards the creation of 30 new jobs and the retention of three more. These and more made up the investment for June alone.

Source: Maureen Krauss, director of economic development and community affairs for Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke

Restored Crofoot Ballroom doubles staffing to 50 people

Metromode Thursday, July 01, 2010

It's been three years since the Crofoot Ballroom project began in earnest, creating one of the more stunning turnarounds and successes in Metro Detroit today.

Blair McGowan took a condemned historic building (the oldest commercial structure in Oakland County) in downtown Pontiac, a Cool Cities grant, and some ambition and turned them into one of the hottest new music venues in the region, on par with Detroit's St. Andrews Hall and the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. The Crofoot Ballroom now has 50 employees (up from 25 when the project started) and three interns. He expects to hire even more people this year as he continues to expand his business.

"The word is out that the Crofoot is here and it's a beautiful venue," says McGowan, who also helped start St. Andrews Hall and Clutch Cargoes in Pontiac. "It has great sound and lights. People appreciate it."

The musical venue features rock bands, hip hop groups, electronic DJs, and a host of other music genres popular with today's youth. It is branching out and bringing more shows to places like the Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MOCAD and CAID in Detroit, and The Factory in Rochester. The Crofoot is also experiencing a good bit of growth from helping some smaller bands grow by letting them play on the building's smaller stage (the Pike Room), the main stage, and then onto bigger venues like the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

"We treated them right the first time so they keep coming back," McGowan says. He adds that the venue is also hosting other events, such as wedding receptions, bar mitzvahs, political gatherings, and business meetings. "We're just responding and it's working," McGowan says.

This isn't the first reincarnation for the building at the corner of Pike and Saginaw streets. In the 1830s the Crofoot survived a fire that decimated much of downtown. In the 1840s it was renovated by Michael E Crofoot, a prominent business man who helped build the 1880s-era Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Detroit. That resulted in a Mansard roof and Victorian-style tower, which were eventually removed by World War II. The building nearly fell victim to 1970s urban renewal projects, but survived.

It was abandoned and on the city's demolition list as late as 2005 before McGowan saved it. He restored it much to its 1850s state, preserving a number of interior details such as old wood beams and brick walls. Today it serves as a place with an incredible amount of character in a downtown filled with architectural highlights.

Source: Blair McGowan, owner of the Crofoot Ballroom.
Writer: Jon Zemke

Pontiac movie studio receives $28M in bond funding

metromode Thursday, June 10, 2010

The local film industry got a big boost from Oakland County recently when the county's Economic Development Corp authorized $28 million in bonds for construction of a film studio in Pontiac.

The tax exempt bonds will finance the conversion of an old General Motors plant into the Michigan Motion Pictures Studios, also known as Raleigh Michigan Studios. The facility was formerly GM's Centerpoint East Campus, but it's been vacant for several years.

The project will build a 185,000-square-foot addition onto the 425,000-square-foot facility, which will also be renovated. The $60 million project should be done by the end of this year.

This project was made possible by Oakland County's access to federal Recovery Zone Bonds. This financing tool is usually used to woo manufacturing facilities; however the definition of eligible projects expanded after the financial crisis.

"This broadens the scope of what we can do," says Mary Langhauser, supervisor of financial services for the Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Dept. "This is for a movie studio. It could be for a stadium or a hotel."

Source: Mary Langhauser, supervisor of financial services for the Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Dept
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland County's OakGov Challenge taps techies for apps

metromode Thursday, May 27, 2010

Oakland County is looking for a few good apps, or at least some for its OakGov Challenge.

The county teamed up with AT&T to offer $10,000 in cash prizes to software developers to come up with applications, or apps, for smart phones, or web-based software that will streamline local government, making it more efficient and cost-effective. The OakGov Challenge's organizers purposely haven't asked for any specific types of apps and haven't specified which problems they are to address.

"What happens over time is the general public's needs change," says Phil Bertolini, deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County. "We don't claim to know everything they want."

First prize receives $6,500, second prize is $3,000, with $500 for third. The competition is open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Oakland, Genesee, St. Clair, Lapeer, and Livingston counties. Anyone who creates an app or comes up with an idea for one can submit it by June 11. The finalists will be chosen by July 8 and the winners will be announced on August 13.

For information on the contest, click here.

Source: Phil Bertolini, deputy county executive and CIO for Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke

Curve Detroit hires 2, expects to add more

metromode Thursday, May 27, 2010

Curve Detroit doesn't subscribe to one technology or one concept as the answer for every company's problems. The Pontiac-based firm is technology indifferent when it comes to finding a marketing solution for a client.

"Our reason for being is we're media agnostic," says Charlie Wollborg, chief troublemaker for Curve Detroit. "There isn't a silver bullet when it comes to marketing. Sometimes it's a website. Sometimes it's a Foursquare campaign."

That philosophy has allowed the 10-year-old company to expand its staff to 10 people by hiring two employees within the last year. There are plans to hire two more over the next year.

The company's growth stems from keeping up with the Internet and social media curve. It started with websites, went onto Facebook, and now is holding seminars on new media darlings like Foursquare. It's also developing applications for smart phones, to be complete this year.

"Then it's another arrow in our quiver," Wollborg says.

Source: Charlie Wollborg, chief troublemaker for Curve Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke

Pontiac : Innovation & Job News