Ann Arbor startup helps Jet’s Pizza launch text-to-order technology
ANN ARBOR – Jet’s Pizza is hoping to disrupt the industry with its new text-to-order technology. The pizza company has partnered with Ann Arbor-based startup Ordr AI to make text orders for customers a reality. More than 75% of stores are currently operating the technology and more than 1 million text orders have been placed since its launch. Jet’s Pizza is now offering 20% off pizzas to customers to text in their orders. “We teamed up, we hustled, we innovated, and we made something great,” John Jetts, President of Jet’s Pizza said in a statement.
Ann Arbor SPARK to manage statewide Michigan internship program
The internships will be funded by Ann Arbor SPARK and a grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will partner with Ann Arbor SPARK to launch the Michigan STEM Forward internship program on a statewide level. SPARK has run the program on a local level through the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone with a decade of positive results. In scaling the program up, MEDC will work in partnership with SPARK to place 425-450 STEM students currently attending Michigan colleges annually into STEM-focused internships throughout Michigan. “Ann Arbor SPARK is thrilled to leverage our decade of experience running our own Ann Arbor-based internship program and take the opportunity to administer the Michigan STEM Forward program on behalf of the state,” said Bill Mayer, Ann Arbor SPARK’s vice president of entrepreneurial services.
Ann Arbor engineers with Toyota develop app to help parents install car seats safely
In 2019, Jennifer Pelky and Lindsay Babian were having lunch when they began talking about car seat safety. She called in the help of a colleague who was a certified child car seat specialist to install hers. Jennifer Pelky, Toyota principal engineer of vehicle performance development for interior safety, installs a car seat in the 2021 Sienna. Pharris, a mother of two and former marketing specialist for a leading car seat manufacturer, loved the idea. They can then select which seat they would like the car seat to be installed and enter the type of car seat they have.
Ann Arbor-based network Shine & Rise holding free virtual event about workplace diversity, inclusion
ANN ARBOR – Shine & Rise will hold its first public-facing event on Friday, March 26 in honor of Women’s History Month. While its regular monthly events are members-only, the March 26 event titled “Challenge Your Team: Gender Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Work” is free to the public. Her talk will focus on how employees can challenge their companies to better practice diversity, inclusion and equity. Throughout the month of March, Shine & Rise is also collecting donations to support Girls Who Code and Alternatives for Girls. AdFor more information about Shine & Rise and to learn how to become a member, visit www.shinerise.org.
Picture this: University of Michigan students create toaster that burns images onto bread
Three engineering students at the University of Michigan invented a mechanism that “prints” images onto toast as part of an entrepreneurship class taught by Dr. Eric Fretz. “We were looking for a fun class to take alongside our heavier engineering classes,” said Niket Parikh. AdOn the first day of the course, Dr. Fretz told his students to split into groups for the semester. (Niket Parikh)They pitched it to Dr. Fretz, who liked it so much he challenged them to print one of U-M’s most iconic figures on bread. With periodic check-ins and energetic mentoring Dr. Fretz ensures each team has the best chance to reach their full potential.