Technology & Innovation

Coverage of innovative research, development and deployment of technology and technological advance, including hardware, software and software as service.

401K GPS brings retirement planning services online

By Newsroom

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General

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September 11, 2014

401K GPS, an online retirement planning service, received its first outside investment this summer when it landed five figures' worth of seed capital from the state of Michigan. The Brighton-based tech startup landed $27,000 from the state's Business Accelerator Fund with the help of the Macomb-OU INCubator. That cash will go toward the company’s marketing efforts, building a new website, and licensing its technology. "It was a pretty big deal for us," says John Eaton, general manager of 401K GPS. "It was the first time we got any external money. We were entirely self-funded before then." 401K GPS sells a software platform that helps take the guesswork out of managing retirement plan investments. It got its start as a service so consumers could manage their own 401Ks. "It is a technology solution to an advisory problem," Eaton says. 401K GPS and its team of two employees and two interns changed up its business model earlier this year. It went from a consumer-facing platform to one that could be leveraged by financial advisors. The move allowed the startup to double its revenue. "That was a significant change in the business model," Eaton says. "We went where there was no competition." Source: John Eaton, general manager of 401K GPS Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

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Secreto Cigar Vault opens in downtown Ferndale

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Arts & Culture

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September 11, 2014

Cigar bars may be on a the cusp of a resurgence as another metro Detroit establishment catering to cigar lovers opens for business. Secreto Cigar Vault opened at 315 W. 9 Mile Road in Ferndale earlier this week. Besides an extensive selection of cigars and humidors to store them, Secreto will host live entertainment and special events. Tapas will be served and foods, drinks and special menus that complement cigars are planned. Craft cocktails, a modern lounge atmosphere and an outdoor seating area are part of the renovated space that has become Secreto. Secreto is one of several cigar bars to open in metro Detroit in recent months, a return from their 1990-2000s heyday. In February, Socialight owned a bistro and cigar lounge in West Bloomfield, and Stray Cat Lounge opened almost a year ago in Clinton Township. Source: Ferndale Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine

New markers tell history of downtown Clawson

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Arts & Culture

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September 11, 2014

Visitors to downtown Clawson can take a glimpse into the past while shopping for the home at Leon & Lulu, dining on Vietnamese at Da Nang or sipping suds at Black Lotus Brewery. The history lessons come through a series of permanent markers erected in August to tell the story of Clawson's past and add an element of interest to the downtown center that conveys and old meets new appeal. Seventeen History Walk plaques are spread through four sections of downtown, says Joan Horton, director of the Clawson Downtown Development Authority. The DDA and the Clawson Historical Museum worked together on the project sponsored by Talmer Bank. The object, says Horton, is for downtown visitors "to take a stroll to enjoy the downtown of today while learning about the one of the past." The plaques are installed on posts along sidewalks and on buildings such as the Black Lotus Brewery (formerly the Clawson State Savings Bank), Leon & Lulu (where the Ambassador Roller Rink once operated), and the closed Clawson Theater, which is under renovation. "Overall, using text and photos, they help to tell the story of Clawson -- the steam powered mill that was in the northeast corner, the interurban train, horses and cars sharing dirt roads downtown and on through to the process of paving in 1928 and glimpses of life into the 1950s," says Horton. Printed rack cards showing marker locations are available at City Hall, the historical museum, the library, Black Lotus and Leon & Lulu. Source: Joan Horton, director, Clawson Downtown Development Authority Writer: Kim North Shine

Ferndale’s latest visual effect: Think So Animation studio

By Patrick Dunn

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Arts & Culture

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September 11, 2014

The Michigan Film Incentive may be a pale shadow of what it was a few years ago, but that doesn't mean all the movie talent has fled the state. Case in point: Deb Scott and Think So Animation. A New York transplant with big screen cred, her Ferndale studio will offer classes to those who want to learn the art of computer graphics and animation.

Michigan tops in employment recovery post-recession; promising economic future ahead

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Community Development

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August 21, 2014

Michigan has regained much of the ground it lost since the recession's nadir in 2009, and its future bodes well, according to a recent national report. Excerpt: "Results of the Business Facilities annual report rank Michigan among the top states in employment recovery since the end of the Great Recession, automotive jobs and automotive manufacturing strength. Further, the report lists Detroit and Grand Rapids as among the top regions in the country for economic growth... Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in Michigan has plummeted from a five year high of 14.2 percent to the current 7.7 percent. The 6.5 drop in percentage points is more than any other state. Michigan’s unemployment rate in June of 2009 stood at 7.2 percent." More here and here.

Incite Informatics adds 5 jobs as revenue spikes

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General

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August 21, 2014

Culture isn't just a catchphrase for Incite Informatics. It's something worth hiring people for. The Farmington-based company, formerly Performant Systems Group, has all the requisites for a new tech firm, like an office full of smart young people working in comfortable jobs and periodically playing ping pong to boost productivity. It even hired a culture curator to help sharpen the company’s culture. "Culture has always been important to us," says Matt Griffin, president & CEO of Incite Informatics. "We have always hired young people. People who have different expectations about what the workplace looks like and acts like." Griffin and Craig Jackson launched the company four years ago, specializing in business analysis, analytics tools, data management and data visualization. They rebranded it earlier this month to better reflect the company's ability to organize, visualize, and mobilize their clients' data, giving them better visibility into operations so they can make better decisions. "We grew up building solutions for large companies like KFC and Ingersoll-Rand," Griffin says. "But we're also working with a number of small companies." Incite Informatics opened a new office in Seattle earlier this year. It has hired five people over the last year and is looking to bring on another three. It currently has a staff 21 employees and two interns. Its revenue spiked over the last year, going from $1.8 million to $4.8 million. "It's a healthy jump," Griffin says. "I don't know how sustainable it is year to year but we're definitely in growth mode." Source: Matt Griffin, president & CEO of Incite Informatics Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Brazilian immigrants launch pastry biz, Doce Brigadeiro

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Education

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August 21, 2014

A couple of Brazilian immigrants are making a go of it in entrepreneurship, launching their own pastry business with the help of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Walsh College. Doce Brigadeiro specializes in Brazilian handmade gourmet sweets. The main pastry is the popular treat called a brigadeiro. The main ingredients consist of condensed milk, cream and chocolate. Twenty-one flavors are on offer, including mint, toffee, lemon zest and sea salt caramel, as well as milk, dark and white chocolate. "I love to do Brazilian desserts," says Danielle Cecconi, co-founder of Doce Brigadeiro. "It's something I would do every month." Cecconi recently received her MBA from Walsh College where she leveraged the services of the Blackstone LaunchPad program, which teaches the basics of business to aspiring entrepreneurs. Cecconi and her friend, Marina Kapordelis, started selling brigadeiros to friends and family under the Doce Brigadeiro brand this spring. The Royal Oak-based business is now looking for its own kitchen space to make its sweets, and eventually wants to open up a storefront in a local downtown like Ann Arbor or Birmingham in the not-too-distant future. "We're hoping to get a lot of Christmas orders this year," Cecconi says. Source: Danielle Cecconi, co-founder of Doce Brigadeiro Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

TrynEx expands staff with 12 hires in Madison Heights

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General

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August 21, 2014

TrynEx has some humble beginnings. The Madison Heights-based firm got its start in 1977 as a lawn care and snow removal company. It evolved into making lawn care and snow removal equipment in the mid 1990s before it was acquired by Douglas Dynamics last year. That acquisition doesn’t mean the company stopped investing in Michigan. Since becoming a division of Douglas Dynamics the company has hired staff and improved its facility in Madison Heights. "The strength of a bigger company helps," says Barry Truan, vice president of marketing & development for TrynEx. "We have more bench strength and ability." TrynEx has a number of brands in the snow removal (SnowEx), landscaping (TrufEx), and janitorial (SweepEx) equipment areas. It has hired a dozen people over the last year for engineering and production positions, expanding its staff to just more than 50 employees and a couple of interns. It is also looking to hire a salesperson. TrynEx has also invested in improving its facility in Madison Heights. It turned one of its spare spaces into more work space for its growing staff and a new training center. "That's where we’re hosting the Salt Summit event next week," Truan says. The company’s revenue has been propelled by the release of new products and the harsh winter the country just went through. This year is also looking up. "2013 to 2014 has seen pretty substantial growth as well," Truan says. Source: Barry Truan, vice president of marketing & development for TrynEx Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com

Creative Breakthroughs hires 23, looks for new office

By Newsroom

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General

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August 21, 2014

Creative Breakthroughs is in the process of helping to fill a number of jobs lately. The Troy-based IT risk management company has hired a couple of dozen people over the last year and is looking to fill another few dozen at a job fair early next month. "We built a foundation for rapid growth," says Patrick Boyd, executive vice president of marketing for Creative Breakthroughs. "We are investing in systems and business relationships with our partners and expanding our base of partners." The 23-year-old company has hired 23 people for IT positions in consulting, engineering and sales. it currently has a staff of 75 employees and a couple of summer interns. That growth has prompted the company to add temporary space and begin looking for a bigger home in Metro Detroit. "We need more space," Boyd says. Creative Breakthroughs will also host a career fair at its Troy headquarters (2075 W Big Beaver Road, Suite 700) on Sept. 3 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The company is looking to fill about 20 positions. It expects to eliminate the process of submitting a resume and hoping for an interview by meeting with each potential candidate and giving them an objective assessment on where their career can go. "We plan to spend some time with everybody," Boyd says. Source: Patrick Boyd, executive vice president of marketing for Creative Breakthroughs Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Capture Caddie develops technology to analyze golf swing

By Newsroom

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Health

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August 21, 2014

Lots of people play golf and nearly as many struggle to improve their swing. A new startup based in Canton believes it has come up with technology to help them. Capture Caddie is developing technology that creates a simple way to record a player's golf swing. The four-person team behind the 1-year-old startup notes the only way to currently capture a player's golf swing and analyze it is to hire a pro, have a friend record it on a mobile device, or set up a tripod and hit record. All of these options tend to be either clumsy or not cost-effective. "There is just no easy way to do it," says Edward Thai, co-founder & manager of Capture Caddie. "So we made an easy-to-use kiosk." Capture Caddie provides a kiosk at golf courses that records a players swing and sends that video to the player's computer or mobile device. The kiosk also tracts data, such as carry distance and ball flight. Check out a video on it here. "It's data most people can't get unless they go through a pro," Thai says. Capture Caddie is nearly done with the development of this technology and is working to demo it at some local golf courses. It is also working to gamify the technology to add a competitive element between users. "It makes you hit shots under pressure," Thai says. "That's golf." Source: Edward Thai, co-founder & manager of Capture Caddie Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.