Ford, U-M work on accelerating hybrid development
Source: metromode, 10/29/2009
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Ford are working together to turn your hybrid car into a math equation.
The
idea is to find the optimal levels for fuel economy, parts lifespan,
comfort, and overall driveability for hybrid power systems, a
technology that is still in its infancy.
"Once we have
developed a mathematical model of the power system and what Ford
engineers are trying to optimize, we can tell them what the optimal
efficiency is," says Jessy Grizzle,
a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the
University of Michigan who is working on the project with U-M PhD
student Daniel Opila.
The bottom line is in trying to figure out
the best way to meet a customer's needs and increase satisfaction
level. This includes maximizing fuel efficiency, but not at the expense
of wearing out the drive train or other parts.
Source: Jessy Grizzle, professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke
Ford, Wayne State partner for MBA entrepreneur fellowship
Source: metromode, 10/22/2009
Wayne State University and Ford are
teaming up to offer a once-in-a-graduating-class opportunity by
offering a year-long paid fellowship with Dearborn's biggest automaker.
Ford
will allow one Wayne State MBA student or graduate to spend a year at
its Global Technologies subsidiary as part of the university's Adams
Entrepreneurship Fellowship Program. There the student will work with
Ford's intellectual property to see what can be commercialized, spun
off, or licensed.
"It provides a really unique opportunity for
one of the outstanding MBA graduates to participate in a robust
entrepreneurial experience," says Terry Cross, executive in residence
at Wayne State University's School of Business.
Funding for the fellowship will be provided by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Source: Terry Cross, executive in residence at Wayne State University's School of Business
Writer: Jon Zemke
U-M Dearborn study spotlights best cities for entrepreneurs
Source: metromode, 10/22/2009
How entrepreneurial-minded is your city? The University of Michigan-Dearborn has a pretty good idea.
The
university's iLabs recently released its 3rd annual eCities study,
which assesses a municipality's ability to attract and retain
entrepreneurial firms. The top performers in Metro Detroit this year
are Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, and Wixom. Dundee, Auburn Hills,
Southfield, and Troy (which were named last year) were recognized for
their continuing efforts to support entrepreneurship.
"The
underlying theme is how they are leveraging existing assets and
resources for their macro economic climate," says Tim Davis, director
of U-M Dearborn's iLabs. "They're taking what they already have and repositioning it for an entrepreneurial effort."
The
study looked at 31 different factors, including tax rate, the size of
the commercial tax base, and educational level, among others. The
researchers followed up the examination with interviews with local
stakeholders.
Source: Tim Davis, director of University of Michigan-Dearborn's iLabs
Writer: Jon Zemke
TiECon Midwest entrepreneur conference to begin next week
Source: metromode, 10/15/2009
Michigan's premier entrepreneurial event is getting ready to kick off next weekend – TiECon Midwest.
The
two-day conference in Dearborn serves as a smorgasbord of information,
networking, and inspiration for the state's rising entrepreneurial
class. It's sponsored by TiE, a global non-profit that fosters
entrepreneurs with the help of a number of venture capital firms and
Fortune 500 companies. It has 53 chapters around the world, with 1,800
experienced entrepreneurs and business executives and 12,000 aspiring
entrepreneurs as members.
"We have the largest entrepreneurial group in the world," says Tel Ganesan, president of TiE Detroit. "We have the global reach."
This
year's conference will focus on a business boot camp and business plan
competition for new entrepreneurs. A wide range of speakers, including
Esperion founder Roger Newton, will be featured.
For information, contact Nicole Raymond at (248) 254-4013; (248) 631-9263; or at nicole.raymond@detroit.tie.org.
Source: Tel Ganesan, president of TiE Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke
Verde Lifestyles spotlights green ethos in Metro Detroit
Source: metromode, 10/8/2009
Danielle Brycz was bored at her day job
when she decided she wanted something more. To her, more equals Verde
Lifestyles, a new Metro Detroit-based start-up.
"It's more of a creative outlet," says Brycz, the co-owner and director of sales and marketing for Verde Lifestyles.
Verde
Lifestyles (verde is Spanish for the color green) focuses on advising
people on how to live a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. That can
mean shrinking carbon footprints by purchasing green products made of
recycled or renewable materials.
Brycz, a recent Michigan State
University graduate, and her friend Ryan Forrest, who is about to
graduate from Oakland University, started the website last year. Even
though the business has a post office box in Royal Oak, Bryce lives in
Dearborn and Forrest in Rochester Hills. They run the business
virtually from wherever their laptops happen to be in Metro Detroit.
"We wanted something that could be somewhat automated, something that isn't attached to one location," Brycz says.
Right
now the pair is concentrating on building up their brand name in Metro
Detroit. The long-term plan is to create a national brand.
"I want this to be something that can replace or supplement my income," Brycz says. "I'd like to make it a part of my career."
Source: Danielle Brycz, the co-owner and director of sales and marketing for Verde Lifestyles
Writer: Jon Zemke
Defense firms coordinate attack with Michigan Security Network
Source: metromode, 9/10/2009
Call it a plan of attack or a
confederation of defense-minded interests preparing for war. Regardless
of the description, its proper name is the Michigan Security Network.
In a coordinated effort to win more investment (and jobs) in the homeland security sector, a
bakers' dozen and then some (16) of prominent firms, universities, and
other groups have have banded together to create the new group.
"We
have a lot of moving parts and they'll all result in some sort of job
creation in Michigan," says Leslie Touma, president of the Michigan Security Network.
Homeland
security is a $113 billion market. Touma believes Michigan can become a
major player for a big piece of that pie. The Michigan Security Network
has identified three key areas offering the greatest potential: cyber
security, border security, and biodefense. It will serve as a
networking hub, database, and market research for leveraging this
growing sector.
Michigan also holds a number of inherent
advantages. It has a large number of patent holdings, it is the
country's busiest international border, and ranks second among states
for overall research and development spending. Last year, Michigan
earned approximately $37 million in homeland security grants while
states such as California and New York each received more than a
quarter of a billion dollars.
The Michigan Security Network is planning its first technology conference in November in Dearborn.
Source: Leslie Touma, president of the Michigan Security Network
Writer: Jon Zemke
U-M Dearborn study: students with some college desire degrees
Source: metromode, 8/27/2009
Could Michigan's best chance to raise the
number of its college graduates lay in the present, not the future?
Such a question seems likely to have "Yes" for an answer in light of a
new survey from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Michigan
has 321,000 young adults (ages 25-34) with some college experience but
no degree, giving the state the third largest percentage (25.7 percent)
in the U.S. Metro Detroit has a similar percentage of young adults that
fit this profile (25.3 percent), however, it is the largest percentage
of any major metropolitan area of the country.
About 57,000
young adults in this demographic (39 percent) said they are likely or
very likely to return to college in the next few years.
"It's
a group of people that is just as big as the seniors who graduate from
high school in Metro Detroit each year," says Tim Davis, director of iLabs in the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Center for Innovation Research, which conducted the survey.
The
survey identifies this group as "stop-outs" and believes it is a
target-rich environment for higher education. About 85 percent of these
stop-outs already have at least one year of college under their belts
and 25 percent have three years.
Stereotypical reasons, time and
money, prevent them from finishing. The survey advocates for more
flexibility in the higher-education system to make it work for this
group.
"We really see these people as potential consumers of
higher education," Davis says. "They are easy people to re-enroll in
the process."
Source: Tim Davis, director of iLabs in the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Center for Innovation Research
Writer: Jon Zemke
U-M Dearborn attracts students with Entrepreneurship Academy
Source: metromode, 8/6/2009
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is getting started earlier when it comes to entrepreneurship.
The university, along with Ford, held its second Entrepreneurship Academy,
or E-Academy, this summer. The two-week program brought together high
school students from across the metro area to compete for scholarship
money.
The students put together business plans as a way to
prepare them for the always-changing business world. The five high
school students formed their own teams that focused on transferring
academic work to the business world. These business plans often focus
on networking, sales and financing, among other things.
The Ford
Fund provided $9,450 in Blue Oval Scholarships to the E-Academy, so
each participant received $500. The U-M Dearborn College of Business
matched it if the students chose to attend the university.
Source: University of Michigan-Dearborn
Writer: Jon Zemke