Business

Jottful designed this website for Milan-based Heath Farms, which went online for the first time during the pandemic.

Ann Arbor-based Jottful helps small businesses survive pandemic by going online for the first time

As many activities have shifted online during the pandemic, Jottful has helped small businesses build their first websites – often at no cost to the business owners, thanks to federal funding.

Latest in Business
An infographic from the report.
Washtenaw County Capital Report reveals high demand for local investment

The report found that a majority of local businesses surveyed get their capital from individuals, not banks or venture funds – and they anticipate needing $600 million in capital over the next three years.

Oxford Instant Office floor plans range from a 130-square-foot single office to a larger 4,500-square-foot space for 20-25 people.
Oxford Companies introduces flexible, short-term office space leases aimed at startups

Although the program is well suited to how COVID-19 is changing the way people do business, it arose out of feedback the property management company has been receiving for a few years.

A vendor at the Ypsi Pop-Up Market @ North Washington Street.
New Ypsilanti pop-up markets help micro-business owners survive COVID-19

COVID-19 closed many art fairs and farmers markets this summer, leaving many small business owners with one less avenue to sell their wares. But three different organizers have created new markets in an effort to keep those entrepreneurs afloat.

EntryPoint will spotlight Midwest businesses in a holiday gift guide and feature some of them on its Facebook Live interview series, "The Cackle," from Nov. 30-Dec. 4.
Ann Arbor nonprofit to release holiday gift guide spotlighting Midwest businesses

To promote shopping locally this holiday season, Ann Arbor-based entrepreneurial research nonprofit EntryPoint will release a gift guide Nov. 1 highlighting products and small businesses across the Midwest. 

The game "Around the World in 30 Minutes" can be played outside Decode Ann Arbor's location by solving challenges on a smartphone.
Thinking outside the escape room: Decode Detroit’s pandemic pivot

After the pandemic forced Decode's Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti escape rooms to close, the company has continued to keep people entertained through a series of safe, socially distanced outdoor games.

MI-HQ was one of this year's FastTrack Award winners.
2020 FastTrack Awards recognize 19 high-growth companies in Washtenaw and Livingston counties

This year's FastTrack Award recipients were required to have had a minimum revenue base of at least $100,000 in 2016 and to have demonstrated 20% increased average revenue for the following three years. 

A graphic showing A2Tech360's 2020 events.
A2Tech360 event goes virtual to offer new connections to local tech companies and jobs

Organizer Ann Arbor SPARK and participating companies felt it was more important than ever to talk about job opportunities and how businesses are dealing with challenges due to the pandemic. 

The Bar at 327 Braun Court.
Despite pandemic, Ann Arbor bars find success through reinvention

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated many bars. However, some local craft cocktail and liquor enterprises have found unexpected success by reinventing their businesses. 

Cahoots member company Endeavor at Ann Arbor SPARK's Tech Trek in 2019.
Cahoots creates diversity and inclusion scholarship offering free coworking space

The scholarship encourages companies and founders who are part of minority groups or who don’t fit the “standard” tech company profile to apply.

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