It's a known fact that young professionals aren't as civically engaged as their proportion of the population would seem to call for. But why? To start with, Underground Printing co-founder and Ann Arbor DDA board member Rishi Narayan calls for changing the spirit of public debate.
The computer gaming industry earns more than $60 billion dollars each year. Hollywood's use of computer animation only grows. Yet computer programming is not a focus in K-12 education in Michigan. The folks at GameStart see both an educational and entrepreneurial opportunity. They offer programming classes to 3rd through 8th grade students with a focus on the game that sets every kid's heart a-flutter.
The intersection of W. Huron and N. Ashley has long been a sleepy one, but plans for a new mixed-used hotel development aim to change all that. Local developer First Martin has proposed a 85,000-square-foot, six-story hotel for the site that would include 110 rooms and about 6,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space for a retail or restaurant tenant. "There aren't a ton of vacant or nearly vacant parcels downtown," says Mike Martin, vice president of First Martin. "This site has just two single story buildings, and is certainly not improved to its full potential." While the project has the potential to bring temporary and permanent jobs to the site, as well as a new option for Ann Arbor visitors, Martin says one of the most visible impacts of the hotel would be creating new pedestrian activity on the relatively quiet intersection. "We think there is a strong benefit for this type of use to activate the corner," he says. "A lot of the positive feedback we've heard is that this will help energize and add a pedestrian experience to a corner that is anything but that now." First Martin will partner with a national chain to manage the all-suite style hotel, though the developer is not yet ready to release the name of their partner. The total amount of investment the project will bring to downtown is also yet to be determined. Martin is hoping the project will receive final approval in July and the approximately one-year long construction will begin in the fall. Source: Mike Martin, First Martin Writer: Natalie Burg
College towns across Michigan have been familiar with the "the Dub" sandwich since Menna's Joint opened in East Lansing in 2003. Now with six locations, the home of the grilled sub/burrito hybrid will soon open a seventh on E. William in Ann Arbor. "The dub is a unique product and we deliver it to our customer in a variety of ways," says Hank Andries, Menna's Joint owner and president. "We're looking to complement the market in Ann Arbor. There is a lot of competition here, but we're hoping we fill a portion of the market." Andries had actually considered the space prior to former tenant Topper's Pizza's occupancy, but the timing wasn't quite right. When the property broker reached out to Andries last time, however, everything fell into place. "It was really just about waiting for the right opportunity," Andries says. "There is a lot of demand for space in Ann Arbor, and not a ton of supply. It was just a matter of timing for us." The 1,500-square-foot space will undergo primarily cosmetic renovations as Menna's Joint prepares to open. The restaurant will have seating for 14 diners, as well as offering delivery and carry-out options. Andries intends to open Menna's this spring with a staff of about 30 employees. Source: Hank Andries, Menna's Joint Writer: Natalie Burg
For everything from tomme dolce cheese to Belgian Elvis waffles to cosmopolitan night spots, this writer from the Huffington Post suggests staying, eating, and drinking a while in Ann Arbor. Excerpt: "The midwestern city of Ann Arbor has a lot going for it. It's now the fifth largest city in Michigan. It is home to the University of Michigan. And this vibrant town might surprise you with its dining scene. Perhaps it's all the international residents that call it home thanks to the University. Perhaps it's the fact that Michigan is one of the country's most agriculturally diverse states. Regardless, in the last five years this city has come into its own culinarily. Some even say, after Chicago, it's the dining capitol of the midwest." Get a taste here.
Venture capital firm Michigan eLab made its first investment in a startup last year, and it’s now helping that company establish a presence in Ann Arbor. Fonemine is headquartered in Silicon Valley. The software startup scored an investment from Michigan eLab last fall and is working to open a sales office in Ann Arbor. "They have already hired one sales rep in Ann Arbor," says Doug Neal, co-founder of Michigan eLab. “They are partnering with (Detroit-based) VisionIT.” Michigan eLab launched about a year ago with the idea of funding startups in Michigan and bridging the gap between tech super hubs like Silicon Valley and the Great Lakes State. The firm has five partners, one administrative staffer and an intern. That team has raised almost half of its first fund, which has a goal of $40 million, and hopes to finish fundraising before the end of the year. Michigan eLab specializes in investing in early-stage tech startups. Its average investment is $1 million. Neal hopes to close on two more investments in the near term, including one with an Ann Arbor-based startup. "The pipeline is great," Neal says. "It's amazing how many opportunities we are seeing." Source: Doug Neal, co-founder of Michigan eLab Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
ArborMetrix has expanded its Series B funding, adding $1.3 million in seed money from a couple of local venture capital firms. The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund and Detroit Innovate contributed to the Series B round, which was closed last year and led by RPM Ventures. "They basically topped off that Series B," says Brett Furst, CEO of ArborMetrix. "It brought the Series B to $8.3 million." The healthcare software startup moved into a new 9,000-square-foot office in downtown Ann Arbor, across the street from Google’s office, in November. "We take up most of the second floor," Furst says. ArborMetrix's software platform provides real-time clinical performance analytics tools for hospitals. The technology helps healthcare providers improve the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of surgical and other specialty care. ArborMetrix currently employs 31 people, up from 16 about a year ago, who are working to boost sales and flesh out the software platform. "Our business plan shows we will be at 46 to 47 people by the end of the year," Furst says. The $8.3 million Series B will help fund the development of the second generation of ArborMetrix's software platform, along with its sales and marketing efforts. Furst expects the platform to be released later this year. The increased size of the Series B might mean the startup doesn’t have to raise a Series C round anytime soon, if ever. It also means it can focus on the continued growth of its venture and the local investors who supported it. "We want to hire and grow here," Furst says. Source: Brett Furst, CEO of ArborMetrix Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund made its name as a fund of funds in the venture capital world, making sizable investments in smaller venture capital firms either based in Michigan or establishing a presence in the Great Lakes State. Now the fund is starting to make headlines for investing directly into startups. The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, which has its offices in both Detroit and Ann Arbor's downtowns, has made three direct investments in maturing startups that are backed by its own fund of funds. Those investments, all made in 2013, have a Michigan focus and more are in the pipeline. "Those funds (that the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund backs) tend to invest in early-stage companies," says Chris Rizik, CEO of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund. "We have been monitoring them as they grow. Three of them reached a level of maturity that we could invest in them in 2013." That level was the $8.3 million Series B round invested in ArborMetrix late last year. It also includes venture capital rounds for Fidelis SeniorCare and Swift Biosciences. Those investments range between $500,000 and $750,000 per startup. "You will probably continue to see 1-2 direct investments per year for the foreseeable future," Rizik says. The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund has made 14 investments since its launch a few years ago, and is preparing to announce its 15th investment in a couple of weeks. It has committed $60 million of its initial $100 million fund. The fund is primarily capitalized by Fortune 1000 firms based in Michigan. Source: Chris Rizik, CEO of the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
Ann Arbor-based stkr.it may be about to turn three years old, but most of its growth took place over the last year. The software startup helps people create and connect new messages to items like greeting cards and scrapbooks. The company has landed a number of partnerships with larger companies that will utilize its technology. Some of those partnerships include deals with Epson (a printer company) and Walsworth Publishing (a yearbook firm). "It has been gratifying to see all of these partnerships come about," says Mike Newman, president of stkr.it. "As these products hit the market we expect to see a dramatic level of growth in the next six months." The startup, which has dual offices in Ann Arbor and New York City, also locked down a Series A round of seed capital worth $600,000. That has allowed it make two of its part-time employees full-timers, rounding out its staff to five people. It is also looking at adding interns this year. Newman hopes to leverage a growing staff and revenues to flesh out its product in 2014. "Now that we have built up a user base we want to give them the best product we can," Newman says. Source: Mike Newman, president of stkr.it Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
The Ann Arbor-based children's resale franchise Children's Orchard now has locations in states all across the U.S. In addition to growing out, the business is now growing up, with a new store concept that will soon debut in Ann Arbor on W. Eisenhower. "Style Trader is a new concept that we're looking to franchise," says General Manager Jennifer Fields. "It's nice to be bringing it home to Ann Arbor, in a sense, but also to be building on the concept of walking from Children's Orchard to Style Trader in one trip." The Ann Arbor Style Trader, which will open in a 2,500-square-foot space in Colonnade Shopping Center, will be the second of its kind. The first opened in Livonia in July of 2012. According to Fields, however, this will be the first time the concept is tested in close proximity to Children's Orchard, which she suspects will be a winning combination. Style Trader will focus on upscale clothing lines and styles that are no more than two years old, giving shopper access to the newer fashions and lower prices. While Fields says she anticipates moms and teens will enjoy the store, she's already been surprised by the success of the Livonia location's men's apparel. "It's a fun environment that's not just for women," says Fields. "Nowhere else is doing resale for men. We couldn't believe how many men have been coming out in Livonia." Renovations are already underway at the E. Eisenhower store. Fields plans to open Style Trader in early March and celebrate with a grand opening later in the spring. The store will employ five to six workers. Source: Jennifer Fields, Style Trader Writer: Natalie Burg
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