Pizza 2.0
It was only a matter of time before pizza went high-tech. From web tracking to on demand orders from your TiVo, Ann Arbor-based Domino's has created a brave new world of snarfing.
Entrepreneurship
Coverage of those starting up businesses and community resources to help them thrive.
Latest in Entrepreneurship
Accuri takes aim at next big profitable exit in Ann Arbor
Accuri Cytometers is trying to become the next big entrepreneurial homerun in Ann Arbor, and it's pitch hitting a locally known slugger to make that happen.Excerpt:Jeffrey Williams was looking for some time off, maybe a beach somewhere, with a few good books to read.Instead, he's looking for a three-peat ... and so are his investors. Having led two Ann Arbor biotech companies to successful sales, he hopes to lead another to a profitable exit.Williams, 43, was named the CEO of Ann Arbor-based Accuri Cytometers Inc. on Jan. 29, replacing company co-founder Jennifer Baird in a move that stunned the local high-tech community.Read the rest of the story here.
Ann Arbor’s entrepreneurs multi-task with a variety of start-ups
Ann Arbor's entrepreneurs are starting to act like musicians trying to hit the big time by joining as many bands as possible. Only this time replace the word "band" with "start-up".Excerpt:They’re extremist entrepreneurs - that is, an economic antidote of sorts for Michigan’s ailing economy.For many entrepreneurs, starting and managing a new company is supremely stressful and time consuming.But for a few Ann Arbor business leaders, managing two startup companies at the same time is second nature.Read the rest of the story here.
Saline’s Flatout Flatbread Co scores capital infusion
Capital might not be flowing with the force it once did, but a couple of Saline entrepreneurs have found a big enough trickle to quench their thirst.Flatout Flatbread Co. recently received a capital infusion (terms and amount were not released) from the private equity firm North Castle Partners. The Saline-based firm was founded by Stacey and Mike Marsh. It specializes in making, surprise, flatbread and wraps.Greenwich, Conn.-based North Castle has worked with and helped build niche brands before, such as Naked Juice and Nutrition Solutions. The private equity firm focuses on investing in consumer businesses that promote health and wellness. It also plans to lend expertise in strategy, marketing, operations and IT to help grow the Flatout brand.Glencoe Capital and the Michigan Opportunities Fund also participated in making the deal happen. Glencoe Capital is a private equity firm focused on lead-sponsored acquisitions and growth equity investments in lower middle-market companies. It participates in the InvestMichigan! initiative established by the state in 2008.Source: Flatout Flatbread Co.Writer: Jon Zemke
U-M students win Clean Energy Prize with Enertia start-up
Erkan Aktakka needs a new laptop, and is about to get one thanks to the Clean Energy Prize competition.Aktakka and two other U-M grad students behind the start-up Enertia just won the entrepreneurial contest, and the hefty purse that comes with it, sponsored by the University of Michigan and DTE Energy. One of the first things the team will do with its new $50,000 in prize money is buy Aktakka a new laptop."Right now he's using a computer that has the technology capability of a refrigerator," says Adam Carver, who co-founded Enertia with Aktakka and Tzeno Galchev. Enertia has developed plans for a device that can harness vibrations to generate electricity to power small electronics, such as remote sensors and surgically implanted medical equipment. The small generators provide renewable electrical power while replacing toxic electrochemical batteries.Aktakka and Galchev, PhD fellows in electrical engineering, have been working on the technology with other U-M students for the last few years. They met Carver, a U-M MBA student, at a mingle and mix event in September sponsored by the university's Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. The late 20 somethings hit it off and began aggressively pushing to spin-out the technology and commercialize it. They expect to spend the next two years completing the research and development, perfecting the prototype and working out production, distribution and marketing details. Most of the $50,000 will be spent on proving the technology and preparing it for mass production."Those will be the two keystone challenges over the next few years," Carver says. "We'd also like to spend a few thousand dollars making contacts in the marketing and manufacturing sectors."The Clean Energy Prize is in its second year. This year a total of 32 teams from six universities in Michigan made a go at it. Second place ($25,000) went to Advanced Battery Control, which offers a proprietary smart battery management system and third place ($10,000) was awarded to Green Silane, which provides a low-cost, environmentally benign method for on-site production of silane gas (used in semiconductor, flat-screen display and photovoltaic panel production). Fourth place ($7,000) went to ReGenerate, which manufactures and leases modular anaerobic digestors to institutional food service operators, transforming food waste into on-site renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer products. Video of the awards event can be found here.Twenty three teams competed last year. They are all pursuing the annual $100,000 prize pool of start-up capital. Last year's winner walked away with $65,000. That company, Algal Scientific, is developing technology that uses algae to simultaneously treat wastewater and produce the raw materials for biofuels. The start-up has secured additional funding and has started operations in an Ann Arbor-area lab with eight employees.Source: Adam Carver, CFO of Enertia and DTE EnergyWriter: Jon Zemke
Pinstripe Publishing pushes board gaming envelope
It's not often someone makes the jump from venture capital to board games, but it's the path Steve Jaqua took to create Pinstripe Publishing and Poplin Press.Jaqua used to be a vice president at Ardesta, going from university to university to find technology that could be commercialized. He realized lots of researchers and professors were former gamers. So he decided to harness that innovative spirit to create the next generation of board games."These guys are usually saving the world or destroying it," Jaqua says. "They're just having some fun with it here."Two-year-old Pinstripe Publishing first product is a board game called Blasphemy that revolves around serious issues that are rarely brought up in a social setting, like greed or mental illness. The company's children's game counterpart, Poplin Press, is coming out with two more products right now."It's all about pushing the envelope and challenging people's belief system and how they think," Jaqua says.Pinstripe Publishing is working on new board game that goes beyond the normal piece of cardboard, flashcards and figures. It's developing a game that includes affordable touch screens and miniatures. That way players still get the live experience but can harness the latest in technology.The downtown Ann Arbor-based firms employ just Jacqua right now, but also give out work to 8-10 independent contractors. Think artists, designers and proofreaders. It is working on a deal that could spur some considerable growth fir this spring.Source: Steve Jaqua, president of Pinstripe Publishing and Poplin PressWriter: Jon Zemke
Sesi Midwest to showcase Ypsilanti entrepreneurship
Eastern Michigan University is working to encourage more students to dip their toes into the entrepreneurship pool with it latest offering Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference. Joe Venuto, one of the conference's speakers, has already been swimming laps.Venuto graduated from Eastern Michigan in 2008 with a degree in communications and a minor in entrepreneurship. He started several small businesses in Ypsilanti, ranging from Mobile Consulting (which saves people money on their cell phone bills) to SoPlat, a start-up that runs social media for Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor and Ferndale.Venuto, 27, credits Eastern Michigan and Ypsilanti with giving him "the platform to be great" when it comes to running his own business. Those institutions helped him go from a dead broke student with little to direction in life to becoming a business owner with five independent contractors under him."There are so many resources in Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan," Venuto says. "SPARK is over in Ann Arbor. They provided all of the resources I needed to be great as a serial entrepreneur. Everyone had an open door, too."The conference will spotlight other local entrepreneurs and their successes, including people from well-established firms like Zingerman's to new start-ups run by students, like IMU. The conference will be held at Friday in the EMU Student Center. Call (734) 487-0902 for more information.Source: Joe Venuto, serial entrepreneur and recent graduate of Eastern Michigan UniversityWriter: Jon Zemke
MASTERMIND: John Rosevear
Inventor, author, former Marine and Ann Arbor original, John Rosevear has the kind of biography that makes misfits proud. And now, after 45 years of development, his greatest invention --the Skyclock-- may finally earn him his due.
U-M Prez sees economic opportunity in Michigan
Ask University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman about economic and entrepreneurial opportunity, and she'll say there is no better place than Michigan and no better time than now.Excerpt:University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said Friday that she believes that Michigan is filled with economic opportunity.Coleman, speaking Friday to the media at an event organized to highlight U-M's University Research Corridor coalition with Michigan State University and Wayne State University, said the state still faces significant challenges. But she said she's "very optimistic" about the future."One of the things that I hear from, at least, business people is we’re become actually a very economical place," she said. "We used to be a high-priced place for companies to come. Now, hey, you can get some pretty good deals here. And it’s beginning to get attention."Read the rest of the story here.
Ypsilanti’s Spur Studios full, next version on the way
James Marks had always heard the rumblings of Ypsilanti becoming the new Bohemia for local artists, but he never really bought into that way of thinking until he opened Spur Studios.Half a year later the Russell Industrial-style artist center on Ypsilanti's east side is hanging up its "no vacancy" sign and operating on cruise control. It became such a quick and impressive success that Marks plans to open another studio soon."It obviously occurred to us that this is marketable. It's been a fantastic experience," says Marks, who also serves as the founder and creative director of Ypsilanti-based VGKids. "The community has really turned out. Ypsilanti is getting this reputation as an artistic community and I didn't really believe it because I had been here for 10 years and never really felt it. But there is an artistic community here. We have had an overwhelming response."Spur Studios transformed vacant office space attached to an old manufacturing facility near Eastern Michigan University, 800 Lowell St., into studio spaces for artists and small businesses. Right now that 10,000 square feet of space is full with artists and entrepreneurs looking for a place that costs a few dollars a month in rent and comes with even fewer rules."There are some graphic designers making a living here and some people making art," Marks says. "There are some dedicated hobbyists."Source: James Marks, founder of Spur StudiosWriter: Jon Zemke
Accuri takes aim at next big profitable exit in Ann Arbor
Accuri Cytometers is trying to become the next big entrepreneurial homerun in Ann Arbor, and it's pitch hitting a locally known slugger to make that happen.Excerpt:Jeffrey Williams was looking for some time off, maybe a beach somewhere, with a few good books to read.Instead, he's looking for a three-peat ... and so are his investors. Having led two Ann Arbor biotech companies to successful sales, he hopes to lead another to a profitable exit.Williams, 43, was named the CEO of Ann Arbor-based Accuri Cytometers Inc. on Jan. 29, replacing company co-founder Jennifer Baird in a move that stunned the local high-tech community.Read the rest of the story here.
Ann Arbor’s entrepreneurs multi-task with a variety of start-ups
Ann Arbor's entrepreneurs are starting to act like musicians trying to hit the big time by joining as many bands as possible. Only this time replace the word "band" with "start-up".Excerpt:They’re extremist entrepreneurs - that is, an economic antidote of sorts for Michigan’s ailing economy.For many entrepreneurs, starting and managing a new company is supremely stressful and time consuming.But for a few Ann Arbor business leaders, managing two startup companies at the same time is second nature.Read the rest of the story here.
Saline’s Flatout Flatbread Co scores capital infusion
Capital might not be flowing with the force it once did, but a couple of Saline entrepreneurs have found a big enough trickle to quench their thirst.Flatout Flatbread Co. recently received a capital infusion (terms and amount were not released) from the private equity firm North Castle Partners. The Saline-based firm was founded by Stacey and Mike Marsh. It specializes in making, surprise, flatbread and wraps.Greenwich, Conn.-based North Castle has worked with and helped build niche brands before, such as Naked Juice and Nutrition Solutions. The private equity firm focuses on investing in consumer businesses that promote health and wellness. It also plans to lend expertise in strategy, marketing, operations and IT to help grow the Flatout brand.Glencoe Capital and the Michigan Opportunities Fund also participated in making the deal happen. Glencoe Capital is a private equity firm focused on lead-sponsored acquisitions and growth equity investments in lower middle-market companies. It participates in the InvestMichigan! initiative established by the state in 2008.Source: Flatout Flatbread Co.Writer: Jon Zemke
U-M students win Clean Energy Prize with Enertia start-up
Erkan Aktakka needs a new laptop, and is about to get one thanks to the Clean Energy Prize competition.Aktakka and two other U-M grad students behind the start-up Enertia just won the entrepreneurial contest, and the hefty purse that comes with it, sponsored by the University of Michigan and DTE Energy. One of the first things the team will do with its new $50,000 in prize money is buy Aktakka a new laptop."Right now he's using a computer that has the technology capability of a refrigerator," says Adam Carver, who co-founded Enertia with Aktakka and Tzeno Galchev. Enertia has developed plans for a device that can harness vibrations to generate electricity to power small electronics, such as remote sensors and surgically implanted medical equipment. The small generators provide renewable electrical power while replacing toxic electrochemical batteries.Aktakka and Galchev, PhD fellows in electrical engineering, have been working on the technology with other U-M students for the last few years. They met Carver, a U-M MBA student, at a mingle and mix event in September sponsored by the university's Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. The late 20 somethings hit it off and began aggressively pushing to spin-out the technology and commercialize it. They expect to spend the next two years completing the research and development, perfecting the prototype and working out production, distribution and marketing details. Most of the $50,000 will be spent on proving the technology and preparing it for mass production."Those will be the two keystone challenges over the next few years," Carver says. "We'd also like to spend a few thousand dollars making contacts in the marketing and manufacturing sectors."The Clean Energy Prize is in its second year. This year a total of 32 teams from six universities in Michigan made a go at it. Second place ($25,000) went to Advanced Battery Control, which offers a proprietary smart battery management system and third place ($10,000) was awarded to Green Silane, which provides a low-cost, environmentally benign method for on-site production of silane gas (used in semiconductor, flat-screen display and photovoltaic panel production). Fourth place ($7,000) went to ReGenerate, which manufactures and leases modular anaerobic digestors to institutional food service operators, transforming food waste into on-site renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer products. Video of the awards event can be found here.Twenty three teams competed last year. They are all pursuing the annual $100,000 prize pool of start-up capital. Last year's winner walked away with $65,000. That company, Algal Scientific, is developing technology that uses algae to simultaneously treat wastewater and produce the raw materials for biofuels. The start-up has secured additional funding and has started operations in an Ann Arbor-area lab with eight employees.Source: Adam Carver, CFO of Enertia and DTE EnergyWriter: Jon Zemke
Pinstripe Publishing pushes board gaming envelope
It's not often someone makes the jump from venture capital to board games, but it's the path Steve Jaqua took to create Pinstripe Publishing and Poplin Press.Jaqua used to be a vice president at Ardesta, going from university to university to find technology that could be commercialized. He realized lots of researchers and professors were former gamers. So he decided to harness that innovative spirit to create the next generation of board games."These guys are usually saving the world or destroying it," Jaqua says. "They're just having some fun with it here."Two-year-old Pinstripe Publishing first product is a board game called Blasphemy that revolves around serious issues that are rarely brought up in a social setting, like greed or mental illness. The company's children's game counterpart, Poplin Press, is coming out with two more products right now."It's all about pushing the envelope and challenging people's belief system and how they think," Jaqua says.Pinstripe Publishing is working on new board game that goes beyond the normal piece of cardboard, flashcards and figures. It's developing a game that includes affordable touch screens and miniatures. That way players still get the live experience but can harness the latest in technology.The downtown Ann Arbor-based firms employ just Jacqua right now, but also give out work to 8-10 independent contractors. Think artists, designers and proofreaders. It is working on a deal that could spur some considerable growth fir this spring.Source: Steve Jaqua, president of Pinstripe Publishing and Poplin PressWriter: Jon Zemke
Sesi Midwest to showcase Ypsilanti entrepreneurship
Eastern Michigan University is working to encourage more students to dip their toes into the entrepreneurship pool with it latest offering Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference. Joe Venuto, one of the conference's speakers, has already been swimming laps.Venuto graduated from Eastern Michigan in 2008 with a degree in communications and a minor in entrepreneurship. He started several small businesses in Ypsilanti, ranging from Mobile Consulting (which saves people money on their cell phone bills) to SoPlat, a start-up that runs social media for Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor and Ferndale.Venuto, 27, credits Eastern Michigan and Ypsilanti with giving him "the platform to be great" when it comes to running his own business. Those institutions helped him go from a dead broke student with little to direction in life to becoming a business owner with five independent contractors under him."There are so many resources in Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan," Venuto says. "SPARK is over in Ann Arbor. They provided all of the resources I needed to be great as a serial entrepreneur. Everyone had an open door, too."The conference will spotlight other local entrepreneurs and their successes, including people from well-established firms like Zingerman's to new start-ups run by students, like IMU. The conference will be held at Friday in the EMU Student Center. Call (734) 487-0902 for more information.Source: Joe Venuto, serial entrepreneur and recent graduate of Eastern Michigan UniversityWriter: Jon Zemke
MASTERMIND: John Rosevear
Inventor, author, former Marine and Ann Arbor original, John Rosevear has the kind of biography that makes misfits proud. And now, after 45 years of development, his greatest invention --the Skyclock-- may finally earn him his due.
U-M Prez sees economic opportunity in Michigan
Ask University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman about economic and entrepreneurial opportunity, and she'll say there is no better place than Michigan and no better time than now.Excerpt:University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said Friday that she believes that Michigan is filled with economic opportunity.Coleman, speaking Friday to the media at an event organized to highlight U-M's University Research Corridor coalition with Michigan State University and Wayne State University, said the state still faces significant challenges. But she said she's "very optimistic" about the future."One of the things that I hear from, at least, business people is we’re become actually a very economical place," she said. "We used to be a high-priced place for companies to come. Now, hey, you can get some pretty good deals here. And it’s beginning to get attention."Read the rest of the story here.
Ypsilanti’s Spur Studios full, next version on the way
James Marks had always heard the rumblings of Ypsilanti becoming the new Bohemia for local artists, but he never really bought into that way of thinking until he opened Spur Studios.Half a year later the Russell Industrial-style artist center on Ypsilanti's east side is hanging up its "no vacancy" sign and operating on cruise control. It became such a quick and impressive success that Marks plans to open another studio soon."It obviously occurred to us that this is marketable. It's been a fantastic experience," says Marks, who also serves as the founder and creative director of Ypsilanti-based VGKids. "The community has really turned out. Ypsilanti is getting this reputation as an artistic community and I didn't really believe it because I had been here for 10 years and never really felt it. But there is an artistic community here. We have had an overwhelming response."Spur Studios transformed vacant office space attached to an old manufacturing facility near Eastern Michigan University, 800 Lowell St., into studio spaces for artists and small businesses. Right now that 10,000 square feet of space is full with artists and entrepreneurs looking for a place that costs a few dollars a month in rent and comes with even fewer rules."There are some graphic designers making a living here and some people making art," Marks says. "There are some dedicated hobbyists."Source: James Marks, founder of Spur StudiosWriter: Jon Zemke
