Why we need to keep building Accelerate Michigan into an economic game changer
Accelerate Michigan has established itself as one of the biggest and best business plan competitions for startups in the Midwest.
Ann Arbor
Connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor with transit: What’s next for the Michigan Avenue corridor
It took decades to happen, but metro Detroit is finally developing a regional transportation plan, and it includes Ann Arbor. Getting DDOT, SMART and AAATA to work together is instrumental if we're serious about changing the ignoble fact that we're the only metro in the nation's top 25 to lack such a system.
Lighthouse Molding, Civionics land Automation Alley pre-seed funding
The two companies, based in Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights respectively, received a total of $75,000 in seed capital. The investments are intended to spur expansions in the companies and bring about more job growth.
WorkForce Software hires nearly 100 people
WorkForce Software, a Livonia-based software firm, has added 86 new jobs in 2015, expanding its staff to 520 people, most of whom are based in southeast Michigan.
6 art summer camps in Detroit and Ann Arbor for your creative kid
From finger painting to sketching to sculpting, there’s no shortage of art programs and camps for your creative child. Whether they want to learn the basics or perfect their skills, there’s a camp in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor for them.
Train from Ann Arbor to Traverse City in the works?
It sounds great on the surface. BUt then you read all the caveats -studies, "many years off," exploratory, "no funds for this" - and realize that, like most interesting transportation ideas, Michigan will probably let it die on the vine. Let's hope our cynicism is wrongly placed. Excerpt: "He said they're looking at a Traverse City to Ann Arbor line in particular because the tracks are still owned by the state and, for the most part, are in pretty good shape. A map of the A2TC route shows the train would stop in Cadillac, Mount Pleasant, Alma, Owosso and Howell on its way from Traverse City to Ann Arbor, with the option of continuing to Detroit from Ann Arbor. MDOT is conducting the study next year because there was an overwhelming amount of interest in the idea when MDOT created the State Rail Plan back in 2011, Bruckbauer said. The top priority that came out of the public input sessions for that plan was a passenger connection to Traverse City, he said." Read the rest here.
Check out these techs. Google Demo investors will.
Three Detroit-area tech startups have won a chance to pitch their companies to investors lined up by Google and looking for business ideas to put their money behind. After competing last week in the Grand Circus Detroit Google Demo Day competition, the founders of AdAdapted, GENOMENON and LevelEleven, are hoping to be picked to visit Google’s California HQ in April and spill to investors what’s promising about their companies. One or two will make the cut to make the trip to Mountainview, Calif. Excerpt: “We’re very impressed by the talented entrepreneurs and innovative companies in the Detroit area. Google for Entrepreneurs partners with organizations like Grand Circus to help these local communities of entrepreneurs grow and thrive,” said John Lyman, head of partnerships and marketing for Google for Entrepreneurs. Read more about these little companies that could here.
Dearborn’s Carhartt takes their rugged brand to a worldwide audience
For 125 years Carhartt has made clothing for blue collar professionals, developing a strong reputation for reliability and durability - features the fashion industry has rarely celebrated. But with a growing appreciation for craftsmanship - particularly among millennials - the Dearborn-based company has found a new and enthusiastic audience.
Taylor & Colt barberspas coming to metro Detroit
Two brothers from Birmingham will be importing Canadian-based Taylor & Colt barberspas to the U.S., starting with two metro Detroit locations. John and Tom White are the U.S. franchisees for the chain of Toronto spas that combine old-fashioned barber shop services and more modern grooming treatments in high-end surroundings. The first Taylor & Colt barberspas will open in the Villages in Rochester and on Liberty Street in Ann Arbor. They are seeking a location in Birmingham, says John White. Renovations are underway on the first two spas, and they are expected to open in January. "We're bringing this to Michigan first, and hopefully as we open new locations and expand, we'll bring it to a number of different states. We'd like Boston, Charleston, Austin." The spas have an old-fashioned meets contemporary feel with rough woods and stone in the interior and traditional barber shop chairs. There are iPads at each chair and big-screen TVs throughout. There will be a reception bar with coffee, tea, juice, and newspapers. Services will include haircuts, hot towel shaves, laser hair removal, massage and more. After seeing Taylor & Colt in Toronto, "We kind of thought, 'You know what this makes a lot of sense.' When you visit men's barber shops, a lot of them have been there forever. They're old, they're tired. They're a basic place to get a haircut, but not much more," says John White. "We've seen this whole movement that younger men are indulging in more careful grooming and more attention to their appearance. We think there will be much interest in this." Source: John White, Taylor & Colt U.S. Writer: Kim North Shine
