Ann Arbor

Study shows alternative transportation important to downtown Ann Arbor

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February 12, 2014

A recent survey conducted by Ann Arbor's getDowntown program found that more than 80 percent of respondents rate the availability of alternative transportation options as important to attracting customers, clients and employees to downtown. The survey included responses from 194 employers or decision makers and more than 600 downtown commuters. "Employers recognize that to attract and retain the talent they need, we need to have a strong alternative transportation system," says getDowntown Program Director Nancy Shore. "Over time, this means that employers are more likely to purchase go!passes and find ways to accommodate their employee’s interest in walking and biking to work." That's exactly what is beginning to happen. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and Downtown Development Authority have recently reported a "sharp increase" in the number of getDowntown's go!passes used by commuters to downtown. Twenty percent of decision makers also reported having employees who would not be able to get to work without their pass. According to Shore, the good news only encourages getDowntown to continue to develop the go!pass program. They are now looking at the possibility of making the go!pass into a "smart card." "This would make it even easier to board the bus and we might be able to find ways to connect it to other transportation options like the Bike House or even parking," Shore says. "I’d also like to see us develop a way for go!pass users to track their go!pass use online." Additionally, Shore says the AATAs 5-year transit plan would be a huge benefit for the downtown commuters and employers, giving riders access to bus options later in the evening and on weekends. Source: Nancy Shore, Get Downtown Writer: Natalie Burg

Old House Gardens grows national reputation for flowers

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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February 12, 2014

It's early yet for flowers, but the nation's gardeners are setting aside space to plant bulbs from Ann Arbor's Old House Gardens. Excerpt: "Although I have never met owner Scott Kunst, I consider him an old friend. His newsletters and catalog entries are delightfully conversational. Charlie the company cat lived a good life, and now there is a rescued black-and-white terrier named Toby installed in Charlie’s place... I have planted numerous pint-size hardy gladioli from the Ann Arbor, Mich., company’s American-grown inventory, with great success, in big pots and in the ground. Their colors and markings are remarkable, and they come back year after year." More here.

Dilip Nigam of Arborwind with a model of his wind turbine

Ann Arbor Startups That Don’t Start in Ann Arbor (But We Wish They Did)

By Patrick Dunn

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General

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February 12, 2014

Ann Arbor may be Michigan's hotbed for innovative startups but sometimes those innovations have trouble gaining a toe-hold in the local market. From healthcare apps to wind energy technology, Concentrate takes a look at a trio of technologies we'd like to see more of here.

First Martin plans for hotel, mixed-use on Huron and Ashley

By Natalie Burg

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Community Development

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February 12, 2014

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

The Huffington Post likes Ann Arbor food and drink

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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February 12, 2014

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.

Menna’s Joint to add unique cuisine, 30 jobs to E. William St.

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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February 12, 2014

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

Flagship Ventures invests in local startup, plans to do it again

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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February 5, 2014

Flagship Ventures opened an office in downtown Ann Arbor a year ago and it has already starting to make some moves. The Massachusetts-based venture capital firm participated in a Series B round for Tangent Medical Technologies about a year ago. It co-led the $8.6 million round of investment with Arboretum Ventures. Tangent Medical Technologies is developing its NovaCath Integrated IV Catheter System, which is designed to address IV therapy challenges including catheter stabilization, healthcare worker safety, tubing management and patient comfort. NovaCath's passive needle shielding technology and closed system design is meant to minimize risk of needlestick injuries and occupational exposure to blood to the lowest feasible extent. The startup is led by Jeff Williams who also served as the CEO of bio-tech startups HandyLab and Accuri Cytometers, which were both acquired. "Tangent has a great team," says Mike Johnson, associate with Flagship Ventures. "Its IV catheter is a novel technology with FDA clearance." Johnson is optimistic that Flagship Ventures will make another one or two similar investments this year. "We're enthusiastic about the opportunities in Michigan," Johnson says. "We are evaluating a number of different companies." Source: Mike Johnson, associate with Flagship Ventures Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Draper Triangle Ventures plans to open Ann Arbor office

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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February 5, 2014

Draper Triangle Ventures sees an opportunity in Michigan so the Pittsburgh-based venture capital firm has its sights set on Ann Arbor. The VC plans to make tech startups part of its newest investment fund and is opening satellite offices in Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit in order to be in the middle of Michigan’s most dynamic tech hubs. "We'll be actively making investments," says Jonathan Murray, managing director of Draper Triangle Ventures. "There is one that is pretty far along already that could be announced within the next couple of months." Draper Triangle Ventures invests in early stage tech ventures. Think: software and IT startups. It is in the midst of raising a $100 million investment fund with commitments for three quarters of that amount. Murray will be Draper Triangle Ventures' person on the ground in Michigan, manning the Ann Arbor and Detroit offices. Murray graduated from the University of Michigan with an MBA and serves as an advisor to the Wolverine Venture Fund at the Ross School of Business. He plans to make 1-2 investments in local startups each year. Those investments will be in the area of $1 million. "Our model is quality over quantity," Murray says. "We tend to be selective." Source: Jonathan Murray, managing director of Draper Triangle Ventures Writer: Jon Zemke

NewFoundry app Ramblehook aims to streamline meetings

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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February 5, 2014

Ever been in a meeting and wonder where the time went? Wish you could take back that rambling story that sparked a side debate that ate up 30 extra minutes? NewFoundry thinks it has an answer for you. The Ann Arbor-based firm, it's based just north of downtown overlooking the Huron River, just release Ramblehook, a mobile app that helps organizers take back control of meetings. It allows the user to list the agenda items, presenters, and time allotted for each topic. "We're trying to reign in all of the side discussions that eat up meetings," says Richard Chang, partner & CEO of NewFoundry. Chang is a alumnus of Mobiata, a software startup that made travel-oriented apps that was acquired by Expedia. He helped launched NewFoundry a year ago. Today it employs a dozen people who handle a variety of work ranging from mobile app development to industrial design. NewFoundry's came up with the idea for Ramblehook to help keep its own internal meetings on track. It is currently working on a couple of other ideas for apps. "We are looking at launching a few more apps in the next six months," Chang says. Source: Richard Chang, partner & CEO of NewFoundry Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

3D Biomatrix expands product portfolio, sales

By Newsroom

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Education

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February 5, 2014

The University of Michigan spun out 3D Biomatrix three years ago but the bio-tech startup is starting to show some significant gains for its expanding product portfolio. "We have a lot of repeat customers around the world," says Laura Schrader, CEO of 3D Biomatrix. "That's a good indicator of a viable product." The Ann Arbor-based company, it calls U-M’s Venture Accelerator home, develops 3D cell culture Hanging Drop Plates for lab research in cancer treatments or stem cells. These plates allow cells to grow in 3D like they do in the body. Most current methods offer flat surfaces, similar to slides or petri dishes. The 96-well plates sell well for users using manual lab methods. The 384-well plates are growing in use as they work well with automated lab equipment, spiking sales for it and the firm’s revenues. "We're not only adding new products to our portfolio but our products are becoming more widespread," Schrader says. 3D Biomatrix and its team of four employees and the occasional intern are looking at expanding the startup’s product portfolio further with more testing equipment for personalized medicine uses. "That's a space that has great possibilities," Schrader says. Source: Laura Schrader, CEO of 3D Biomatrix Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.