Jimmy Gwizdala started Hunch Free a little more than year ago after he hit his tipping point: watching his industry trade in substandard work.

Since then he has grown the Chesterfield Township-based interactive marketing agency into something to be reckoned with; both in quality and size. The firm went from two people to eight today and expects to double that number within two years. It's also looking at starting an internship program.

"We're on a pretty aggressive growth plan," Gwizdala says. "We're not just trying to attract new customers and grow our staff but get outside of Michigan and into the Chicago or Cleveland markets."

He hopes to do that within the next year or two. But before that Gwizdala expects to double his company's revenue within six month. He attributes that growth to paying attention to his customers concerns and exceeding their expectations.

"All of our projects are done very well because we're well in tune with them," Gwizdala says.

Source: Jimmy Gwizdala, owner of Hunch Free
Writer: Jon Zemke

The guys behind Virtual Spokesman see a much more interactive future for websites. The Bingham Farms-based firm specializes in creating programs for websites that allows actors to interact with web surfers.

The start-up, only a few months old, uses actors in front of green screens and puts them on websites so the video of these actors appear on websites. The firm also does this with graphics for virtual flash presentations.

The end product can be a pint-sized tutor helping visitors of the website navigate it. The firm is using this technology for the new electronic editions of the Detroit Free Press and News.

The idea is to help keep visitors on the website. The interactive video is much more effective capturing a visitor’s attention and keeping it than if it were just a static website.

The company’s co-founders, Raj Chawla and Jason T. Ryan, see a bright future for the technology. The firm already has a staff of about half a dozen people and hopes to grow it in the near future.

Source: Raj Chawla, president of Virtual Spokesman and Jason T. Ryan, vice president of sales & marketing of Virtual Spokesman
Writer: Jon Zemke

Vision Computer Solutions expects its revenues to double what they were in 2007 by the end of this year, capping off a significant growth spurt, one the Northville-based firm hopes to continue.

The company grew its revenue by 50 percent in 2007 and another 35 percent in 2008. This year the firm hopes to grow by another 30-35 percent this year. In that time the company grew to 14 employees and an intern, and it hopes to keep growing both its payroll and revenue.

"We're trying to add at least a couple of new people by the end of this year," says Peter Marsack, director of Technology for Vision Computer Solutions.

The company started in 1995 as a way to deliver home-based computer service. It grew and evolved until its handful of founders "got serious" about grabbing market share in 2001. That prompted Vision Computer Solutions current growth streak.

"It just kind of grew on more and more by itself over the years," Marsack says.

Source: Peter Marsack, director of Technology for Vision Computer Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Publicity Works is growing in downtown Royal Oak because it's taking traditional public relations work and infusing it with the power of the Internet.

The 12-year-old company moved to downtown three years ago and has grown to half a dozen staff members, an intern and an extensive network of freelancers. It added two people in the last year and hopes to add another five within the next year. It's been able to do this by raising it revenues 20 percent in recent years.

"If I can stay on that growth pattern I would be very excited about it," says Lisa Maas, president and owner of Publicity Works.

New media is responsible for fueling that growth. The firm is utilizing traditional public relations tactics and combining them with Internet strategies, incorporating websites, social media and analytics to enhance the reach for its customers.

Source: Lisa Maas, president and owner of Publicity Works
Writer: Jon Zemke

To say T-Tech Solutions has a brain trust might be a bit of an understatement.

The Troy-based IT firm started when its founder, Tony Haddad, completed his doctorate of business administration last year. His dissertation was about implementing an effective leadership within a technology organization, a logical choice for a 10-year veteran of the IT game. His business focuses on the IT needs of everything from small businesses to auto suppliers to health-care companies.

He quickly grew the company, adding two more brains by the end of last year. He's kept the company strong so far this year, adding yet a couple more techies.

Haddad hopes to continue that rapid-yet-steady growth this year and keep adding staff to accompany that growth. He is looking for “entrepreneurial spirited individuals” to come aboard this year.

He wouldn't mind if they turned out to be the smart guys and gals in the room either?

Source: Tony Haddad, founder of T-Tech Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Two letters and a numeral -I2V- sum up Lawrence Technological University’s latest effort to help spur entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit.

It's a cute acronym for "Invention to Venture", a day-long workshop this Friday all about the basics of entrepreneurship. The idea is to provide people with a business idea the framework to get it off the ground and into the marketplace.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is working with business people, faculty from higher-education, entrepreneurs and investors interested in developing and commercializing cutting-edge technology.

The workshop will be held between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Lawrence Tech's University Technology and Learning Center gallery in its Southfield Campus, 21000 W 10 Mile Road. Admission is $50 or $25 for Lawrence Tech alumni and faculty and staff in higher education.

For information, click here or call (248) 204-2459 or send an email to carpenter@ltu.edu.

Source: Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Sure, Fido and Fluffy are wonderful, integral parts of the family, but how much are they adding to your carbon footprint?

Luckily, there are some great ways to reduce it, keeping your furry love guilt-free.

With dogs, when it comes to poop scooping, invest in some biodegradable bags. (Hopefully, your reusable shopping bag habit has meant a drastic reduction in extra plastic bags lying around...) A brand available locally is BioBag, carried by Michigan Green Safe.

For cats, it's all about the litter. Stay away from clay-based ones, which are most mainstream litters, and stick to brands made from recycled shredded paper. There are many band options on the shelves of pet stores like Pet Supply Plus, et al. Bonus for apartment-dwellers: paper litter is flushable!

If you have the dough, consider organic pet foods, which can get pricey but, then again, so is Iams. Again, many of these lines are carried at the larger pet supply stores.

Here's a list of options that Grist curated:
Organics 4 Your Pets
Natura Pet Products
Heidi's Homemade
Newman's Own Organics Premium Pet Food
Castor & Pollux Pet Works

And, in the wise words of Bob Barker: "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."

That's probably the greenest thing you can do.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Arboretum Ventures is going for the gusto with its latest investment fund.

Excerpt:

Ann Arbor is becoming, more and more, Michigan's venture capital capitol, proof of which is clearly visibly at Arboretum Ventures.

The Ann Arbor-based firm recently closed out its latest investment fund worth $73 million. This fund is triple the size of Arboretum's first, which was worth $24 million. Managing Directors Jan Garfinkle and Tim Petersen will manage the money with the help of five other employees.

Read the rest of the story here.

Despite the start-up's name, Ann Arbor's NanoBio isn't so small anymore with $12 million in new financing.

Excerpt:

NanoBio is attracting some big investment these days. The Ann Arbor-based firm just secured $12 million in new financing to help develop the company, bringing the total amount invested to $80 million.

The 3-year-old firm, University of Michigan spin-off, employs about 20 people and a handful of interns. It has hired several ex-Pfizer people after the pharmaceutical giant closed the doors to its Ann Arbor campus in 2007.

Read the rest of the story here.

The renaissance for local venture capital investment has begun at Detroit Renaissance Venture Capital Fund.

Excerpt:

The Renaissance Venture Capital Fund made its second investment this week, putting $3 million into the TGap Venture Capital Fund II.

The Kalamazoo-based venture capital fund makes early stage investments into information technology, medical devices and services and specialty manufacturing companies. Jack Ahrens and Pete Farner formed the fund in 2002 and have since invested in several successful Midwestern-based companies, such as Afmedica (which was recently acquired by another firm) and Brill Street.

Read the rest of the story here.

The car batteries of the future will be made where the automobile was first perfected, right here in Metro Detroit.

State officials have approved tax incentives that will allow General Motors and Ford to develop and build lithium-ion batteries here in Metro Detroit. The two corporate behemoths will invest tens of millions of dollars and create hundreds of jobs thanks to $61.8 million in tax incentives.

Ford received $55 million in tax incentives to advanced battery and electrical vehicle development in Metro Detroit. Think hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles.

Ford plans to bring four new electric/hybrid vehicles to market by 2012. These include a full battery commercial Transit Connect van-type commercial vehicle in 2010, a full battery electric passenger car by 2011 and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2012.

GM is considering buildings its lithium ion batteries for the Chevrolet Volt in southeast Michigan. The company would invest about $43 million and create 140 new jobs if and when it makes it happen. GM is still considering other locations, but the state hopes the $6.8 million in tax incentives will convince Mother Motors to stay close to home.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke

Core3 Solutions has three core beliefs: profits, growth and more growth. Well, that isn’t an official ethos but it sure seems like it as the company closes out its 11th year in a row of growth.

The Birmingham-based firm increased its revenue by 50 percent in 2008 and its staff by another 25 percent. It also managed to pass the $1 million milestone for revenue last year.

The IT and web-development firm is using the down economy to its advantage. Company officials says small- and medium-sized businesses are dumping their own IT departments and taking on Core3 Solutions fixed-cost package as a way of saving cash in a tough economy. Its Managed Services sector grew 135 percent in 2008.

Walk-in repair in its new electronics boutique in Birmingham's Triangle District is also helping bring in new revenue. The service has grown 88 percent since the boutique opened and is still growing.

Source: Curtis Hays, director of business development for Core3 Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Southeast Michigan is walking away with most of the most from the latest round of investment announcements from the Michigan Economic Development Authority.

Metro Detroit took in $135.1 million of the $162 million earmarked for
investment. That money is expected to create about 1,359 jobs over the next decade. All at the cost of $15.8 million in tax credits granted by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority.

The biggest investments came from the largest firms, such as General Motors and BAE Systems. GM is setting up a lithium-ion battery factory and BAE Systems is setting up a technical center for engineers in Sterling Heights.

Among the other firms making investments in exchange for tax credits are:

• McLaren Performance Technologies, $8.9 million invested for 34 jobs
• Patrick Energy Services, $2.2 million invested for 90 jobs
• RISS, $946,000 invested for 40 jobs
• Global Tooling Systems, $17.2 million invested for 184 jobs
• Michigan Brewing Company, $7 million invested for 161 jobs
• GM, $43 million invested for    140 jobs
• A new grocery store in Hazel Park, $11.9 invested for 250 jobs
• BAE Systems, $44 million invested for 460 jobs

Since January 2005, the governor and the MEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 310,500 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke

Three new economy start-ups are now able to dip their beaks into the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund for capital. Two of those call Metro Detroit home.

They are Detroit-based SenSound and Ann Arbor-based Biotectix. The belong to the TechTown and Ann Arbor SPARK business incubators, respectively.

SenSound develops and markets software and testing services. These products are used in everything from the aerospace to medical device to automotive industries. Biotectix helps make other companies' biotech products safer, last longer and be more energy efficient, among other things.

The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund is a collaborative effort of the state’s 12 SmartZones to provide venture capital to promising firms. So far 30 Michigan companies have been selected to participate in the fund. All of these firms must receive a matching investment from a venture capital firm or grant to qualify.

Source: Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Jon Zemke

What was once Madre Software of Farmington Hills is now part of Western Computer of Oxnard, California. And that's a good thing.

The start-up software firm launched in 2007 in Oakland County. Now, almost two years later, the firm has been acquired for an undisclosed sum. Such acquisitions are a key part of the start-up game.

Many entrepreneurs don’t want to make their start-up their career but a relatively quick way to make some significant dollars by creating even greater value. They often take that cash and start new businesses that create more jobs ...and a healthier local economy. This cycle has been a key part of the Silicon Valley culture.

Madre Software focuses on business consulting and custom software development, particularly in supply chain management. The firm specializes in delivering Microsoft Dynamics business solutions.

Western Computer is 20 years older than Madre Software. The firm provides implementation, training, consulting and development services. It has offices in Bellevue, Washington, New York, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Indianapolis.

Source: Madre Software
Writer: Jon Zemke

Excuse Oakwood Healthcare System as it takes a little time to say "neener, neener, neener."

The Downriver-based healthcare system has just had four of its hospitals receive the Gold Seal of Approval for Total Joint Replacement from The Joint Commission. The cherry on the top of that is that Oakwood is the only healthcare company in Michigan to have four of its hospitals receive that recognition.

It's important because The Joint Commission is the nation's leading accrediting body dedicated to the continuous improvement of safety and quality in a healthcare setting. It recognizes hospitals with outstanding programs for joints, such as knees and hips.

Seven hospitals in Michigan are certified to perform hip and knee replacements. Four of those belong to Oakwood and all of them were recognized as continuously raising quality and safety to higher levels.

The four Oakwood hospitals to receive the recognition are Oakwood Heritage Hospital, Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center in Dearborn, Oakwood Annapolis Hospital in Wayne and the Oakwood Southshore Medical Center.

Source: Oakwood Healthcare System
Writer: Jon Zemke

So it was bad enough, that last week Green Space reported on birth control and shite. This week we're going to an even more uncomfortable place -- at least for 48 percent of you. (Ie. That would be the men folks of you)

Yeah, we're talking feminine hygiene here.

There's tampons and sanitary napkins, for the most part.

From my, err, seat, I've gotta vote O.B. -- yeah, they are still wrapped in plastic, but there is no ginormous -- sorry, ladies, and unnecessary -- applicators.

But the more I read about other, less disposable options, the more I am inclined to try other, less wasteful options.

There's the latex Keeper and the silicone Moon Cup and Diva Cup. These are holders rather than absorbers...But after reading multiple message boards and blogs, this is pretty much the message I hear: "It took me a few months to get used to," she says. "Now it's been ten years, and I'm very satisfied."

So, perhaps worth giving a shot? After all, these are reusable products that last years. I can't argue with that.

Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Magic Eight Ball says: A doubling of staff appears to be in the future for Ann Arbor's uRefer.

Excerpt:

The future is bright for Ann Arbor-based uRefer right now despite the dark clouds hanging over the economy.

The start-up went from three people when it opened for business in October, 2007 to eight employees, two interns and a handful of independent contractors today. The firm hopes to double those numbers by the end of the year as it continues to diversify its client base.

"January was our best month ever," says Jonn Behrman, president and COO of uRefer. "Things are starting to really take off."

Read the rest of the story here.

Blabberize.com isn't just blabbing away when it comes to its next-cool-gadget life story.

Excerpt:

The story behind Blabberize is cool enough to warrant making millions of theoretical Internet dollars  - all because of a hit YouTube video. See, the website has a video about its serendipitous beginnings, and that's helping it rake in some real cash.

First, know that Blabberize is based on Blabbers, a website widget that allows users to make pictures talk. Mo Kawan came up with the idea while going to Hack Day at Yahoo!'s headquarters in 2006.

"I thought it would be interesting to have a postcard that had a talking picture," Kawan says.

Read the rest of the story here.

A big non-profit in downtown Detroit is making room for more interns.

Excerpt:

LISC is expanding its office space in downtown to make room for more interns.

Detroit's chapter of LISC, which stands for Local Initiatives Support Corp, has expanded into a new space in the First National Building that is about one third larger than its old space to make elbow room for the nonprofit's staff and another two interns.

The idea is that getting more younger people involved in the nonprofit will also help create future employees or at least more younger people with a foot in the door for a job locally.

Read the rest of the story here.