M-Wrap leverages Clean Energy Challenge win into start-up networking

The co-founders of M-Wrap recently took home a $5,000 cash prize from the Michigan Clean Energy Venture Challenge by becoming a finalist in the competition. While the cash is nice, the University of Michigan students are more impressed with the fringe benefits that come with it. "It was extraordinary to have access to these resources," says Grace Hsia, co-founder of M-Wrap. One of those resources turned out to be Aaron Crumm, co-founder of Adaptive Materials who has provided some sage advice about getting their start-up off the ground. "He has been amazing," Hsia says. "He provided so much insight and so much great advice." M-Wrap is developing a non-electric blanket to prevent hypothermia in premature infants. The TechArb-based start-up is seven months old and was inspired by a senior design course at U-M that challenged students to find ways to use engineering to help people. Hsia and her four other co-founders came up with M-Wrap and now have a team of 10 people working to commercialize it. Hsia's team plans to finish developing the product and get it into retail stores this year. The hope is to go national with it shortly after. Hsia and her other co-founders expect M-Wrap to become their full-time jobs in the near future. Source: Grace Hsia, co-founder of M-Wrap Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.