Ann Arbor startup helps Jetโs Pizza launch text-to-order technology
ANN ARBOR โ Jetโs 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. Jetโs Pizza is now offering 20% off pizzas to customers to text in their orders. โWe teamed up, we hustled, we innovated, and we made something great,โ John Jetts, President of Jetโs Pizza said in a statement.
Ann Arbor-based network Shine & Rise holding free virtual event about workplace diversity, inclusion
ANN ARBOR โ Shine & Rise will hold its first public-facing event on Friday, March 26 in honor of Womenโs History Month. While its regular monthly events are members-only, the March 26 event titled โChallenge Your Team: Gender Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Workโ 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.
Ann Arbor SPARK, Michigan House to host panels at SXSW
ANN ARBOR โ Michigan House is again preparing to serve as a platform for the stateโs innovators and creatives to connect with the worldwide audience that attends the South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) next week. In the moment it was devastating, but even within a couple days it was clear the right decision had been made,โ said Ted Velie, a co-founder of Michigan House. We were thrilled then, that SXSW found a way for us to still connect this year.โAdOver the course of the five day virtual conference, Michigan House will host three Official SXSW Panel Discussions, a virtual meet-up for entrepreneurs, a Michigan Startup Portfolio, and a Michigan House Booth on SXSWโs digital platform. AdSee the schedule below for the panels, organized by Ann Arbor SPARKโs Komal Doshi, and the Michigan-focused SXSW event. Hosted by Start Garden, Ann Arbor SPARK, Detroit Startup Week & MEDCTo attend the free event, register here.
Ann Arbor tech startup reimagines keyless home entry and smart access
ANN ARBOR, Mich โ Although relatively new to Tree Town, technology startup PassiveBolt Inc has already gained traction for its innovative smart access module and its reimagining of keyless home entry. One of the first of its kind, the smart lock also freezes a doorโs deadbolt when it senses an attempted security breach, like lock picking. Founded in 2018, Ann Arbor's PassiveBolt is introducing consumers to smart access. (PassiveBolt Inc)Maiga said that PassiveBoltโs first year was spent further developing its Shepherd Lock but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit things slowed down. It also intends to expand into other areas of keyless entry and smart access as time goes on.
See how the Ann Arbor region compares to other U.S. tech hubs
ANN ARBOR โ Ann Arbor SPARK recently released the third iteration of its Benchmarking the Ann Arbor Region report. Across the remaining set of metrics, Ann Arbor ranked:Third in population movement, or net migration, up from fifth place in 2018. As a result of controlling for population, Ann Arbor continues to rise above the rest. However, when comparing to Austin, Berkeley, Boulder, and Portland, Ann Arbor is relatively inexpensive. โAggregate statistics are sometimes useful, but they tend to hide disparities in opportunity,โ stated the reportโs author Alex West, director of research at Ann Arbor SPARK.
Ann Arborโs Lisa Sauve named to Forbes Next 1000 list
ANN ARBOR โ One of Tree Townโs very own has been named to the Forbes Next 1000 list. Sauve applied for the list and had a feeling she was picked when representatives continued to contact her. For now, she is the only Ann Arborite to make it on the list. AdCredit: IVEY Salon | Synecdoche DesignLiving by the motto โDo Good Work,โ Sauve said the practice is expanding its charitable arm. A lean operation with five employees, architects Sauve, Smith and Sidney Migoski design projects remotely while design-makers Julia Hunt and Lindsey Sieja work in the shop.
XR internships create new reality for Ann Arbor tech ecosystem
ANN ARBOR โ Ann Arbor has uniquely positioned itself as a โsweet spotโ for high tech. Extended Reality (XR) is an evolving industry that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Ann Arbor SPARK, in partnership with the University of Michigan, has created an internship program to connect students with growing startups in gaming and XR. Weโre also able to support local companies which fuels growth within our ecosystem and economy,โ said Margarita Hernandez, director of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK. Since then, all participating students have maintained full-time or consulting positions and four students reside in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor tech startup creates immersive digital experiences
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ A young technology startup in Ann Arbor is bringing online marketing and browsing into the three-dimensional world. Founded in 2017 by software entrepreneur Donald Hicks, Saganworks is using new 3D media to create a more immersive experience for audiences online. Called a Sagan, short for Spatially Accessible Gallery of Archived Knowledge, the software allows users, including retailers, restaurants and organizations, to provide visually organized content and display products in 3D. The immersive digital rooms can be embedded into websites, landing pages or blogs, according to a release. AdThe startup has Sagans for businesses and organizations including Ann Arborโs WSG Gallery, Blue LLama Jazz Club and Llamasoft Inc., The Henry Ford Museum, JOOB Activewear and the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts,Learn more about Sagans and Saganworks through its website.
Ann Arbor cybersecurity startup Blumiraโs rapid growth continues with hiring push
ANN ARBOR โ Local cybersecurity startup Blumira has plans to double its headcount in 2021. With a team of 25, Blumira plans to double its headcount by the end of the year with a focus on hiring additional leadership roles and growing its sales and engineering teams. Part of Blumiraโs success over the past year is due to its adoption of SaaS applications and migration to the cloud. Most recently, he led product management at Duo Security, which was acquired by Cisco in 2018 for $2.35 billion. in computer science and was head of UX and engineering at Arbor Networks (acquired by NETSCOUT in 2015) prior to his role at Duo Security.
How an Ann Arbor company became a leading COVID testing lab in Michigan
A QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System at LynxDx's headquarters in Ann Arbor. โWe did -- and continue to do -- all of their screening and asymptomatic testing.โLynxDx also does testing for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital. As of Jan. 20, the company is the second leading lab for COVID testing in Michigan, following Curative DC, according to MDHHS. Drive-thru testing in Ann ArborIn mid-November, LynxDx opened a drive-thru testing site in Ann Arbor in the parking lot of 2|42 Community Church at 648 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arborโs PassiveBolt Inc named CES Innovation Awards Honoree for second consecutive year
ANN ARBOR โ PassiveBolt Inc. announced Monday it has been named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree for the second year in a row for its newest Shepherd Lock product. The worldโs most influential technology event, CES 2021 is taking place for the first time digitally now through Jan. 14. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Assiciation, the annual CES Innovation Awards program is a competition which recognizes groundbreaking consumer technologies across 28 product categories. PassiveBoltโs Shepherd Lock Gen2 is a home lock which features keyless entry technology and provides access based on facial recognition and touch. โWe are thrilled to win this highly prestigious award two years in a row,โ Kabir Maiga, PassiveBolt co-founder said in a news release.
Ann Arborโs Workit Health raises $12 million in Series B funding round
Workit Health co-founders Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin. ANN ARBOR โ Workit Health, a virtual provider of substance use disorder care, announced Tuesday it raised $12 million in its latest funding round led by FirstMark Capital. Workit Health serves individuals, employers and healthcare organizations with its evidence-based telemedicine addiction care. People at all stages of addiction recovery can access Workitโs nonjudgmental and personalized programs. โRobin and Lisaโs commitment to Workit Healthโs success goes beyond what is typically described as mission-driven.
Recent college grad returns to Ann Arbor, lands job as result of a2Tech360 job seeker trek
ANN ARBOR โ Claire Stetten recently started a new job with Ann Arbor-based DocNetwork, a tech startup that provides electronic health record systems for summer camps, childcare and schools. DocNetwork hired Claire after connecting with her during the 2020 A2 Tech Trek virtual job seeker trek as part of a2Tech360. "Ann Arbor is a gem in the Midwest with its great restaurants and accessible recreational areas โ two things that were important considerations for me. A good friend who had previously interned with SPARK pointed her toward the organizationโs job seeker resources, including the job portal. "I think going through the SPARK job portal helped my resume standout more.โClaire was also getting ready to participate in the virtual a2Tech360, including A2 Tech Trek and its inaugural Job Seeker Trek.
New CEO of Ann Arborโs Clinc looks to scale, โwrite the next chapterโ for company
ANN ARBOR โ Tech veteran Jon Newhard joined conversational AI startup Clinc as the new CEO in July in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Clinc's new offices at 200 South First Street in Ann Arbor. โWe get to keep not just the tech part of the business, but the core of the business in Ann Arbor. โI look at Ann Arbor the way I thought about Austin 25 years ago. He plans to engage local network Shine & Rise that aims to bring more women into the tech workforce in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan.
Ann Arbor SPARK receives Excellence in Economic Development Award
ANN ARBOR โ Ann Arbor SPARK won a gold category award for its Ann Arbor as a Mobility Living Lab, a project in the Public-Private Partnerships category of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)'s 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program. โOnce again, Ann Arbor is recognized as a region that excels in innovation and collaboration,โ said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. Ann Arbor SPARK works closely with the regionโs academic institutions, public officials, and private sector businesses to build an environment that attracts mobility companies and talent to the region. Ford has partnered with the city of Ann Arbor for its Ford City Insights Platform. โThe winners of IEDCโs Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,โ said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald.
Mobility veteran joins Ann Arborโs Refraction AI as new CEO
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Mobility industry veteran Luke Schneider has been named as the new chief executive officer of Ann Arbor-based Refraction AI. Schneider has had over 25 years of experience in the mobility and transportation industries, including executive positions Zipcar, wejo, Flexcar and Silvercar. As CEO, Texas-based Schneider will work on Refraction AIโs expansion plan while cementing the startupโs involvement with contactless delivery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Refraction AI has received a four-fold increase in delivery orders from its partnering Ann Arbor eateries and has begun to scaleup its fleet of autonomous vehicle robots. In June it began using its robots to help deliver groceries through a partnership with the Produce Station.
Ann Arbor conversational AI company Clinc announces new CEO
ANN ARBOR โ Conversational AI startup Clinc has appointed IT veteran Jon Newhard as its new chief executive officer. In April, Clinc laid off a third of its employees due to the coronavirus pandemic. โConversational AI is revolutionizing the financial services industry, helping to personalize and improve the customer experience, an important part of digital transformation. This massive addressable market presents a great opportunity for Clincโs world-leading AI technology and its talented people,โ said Newhard in a statement. He has also held senior leadership roles with Kaplan Compliance Solutions, Cubic Corporation and Michigan-based New World Systems.
Ann Arborโs Llamasoft wins local business award for thirteenth consecutive year
ANN ARBOR โ For the thirteenth year in a row, AI supply chain software company Llamasoft has been named a FastTrack winner by Ann Arbor SPARK. The annual awards are given to companies in Washtenaw and Livingston counties that demonstrate year over year growth. Congratulations to LLamasoft!โThis yearโs FastTrack winners were required to have an annual growth of 20 percent over the last three years and a revenue of at least $100,000 in 2016. โWe are honored to be recognized by Ann Arbor SPARK as a FastTrack company,โ Sandra Moran, LLamasoftโs Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement. โTo achieve consistent growth for over 13 years we have remained focused on delivering value to our global customers.
U-M to ramp up asymptomatic, saliva-based COVID-19 testing in October
ANN ARBOR โ October will mark a new phase in testing on University of Michiganโs campus as the school works to keep outbreaks of COVID-19 at bay. The university has partnered with local startup LynxDx for saliva-based โsurveillance testing.' Up to 6,000 tests are set to be conducted per week on asymptomatic individuals as part of the U-M COVID-19 Community Sampling and Tracking Program. LynxDx, a prostate cancer diagnostics lab spinoff founded by U-M professors and scientists, pivoted its work to address the global coronavirus pandemic. โPlease sign up for this free COVID-19 testing program,โ U-M President Mark Schlissel implored during his weekly campus community update on Sept. 18.
Regional companies celebrated for remarkable growth at annual a2Tech360 FastTrack Awards
ANN ARBOR โ Kicking off a2Tech360, Ann Arbor SPARK presented its 22nd annual FastTrack Awards to 19 companies located in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. More than half of the 2020 FastTrack Award recipients were multiple-year winners. Rehmann is the 2020 Ann Arbor SPARK FastTrack Awards accounting partner and verified all of the award applications. FastTrack Award winners were recognized on Friday, September 18, during a virtual celebration and supported by presenting sponsor Northstar Bank. Eight-year award winnerOxford Companies is rooted in acquiring, managing, leasing, and constructing commercial and multifamily properties in the Ann Arbor area.
University of Michigans Desai Accelerator kicks off first-ever virtual cohort
ANN ARBOR University of Michigans Desai Accelerator has launched its 2020 cohort online. Like most university programs during the coronavirus pandemic, Desai has moved its operations to a virtual platform. According to program leaders, it is the most diverse cohort the accelerator has had to date. "The Desai Accelerator provides cohort companies with the resources, guidance and mentorship to do just that, and were thrilled to be able to honor our commitments to seed capital, programming and hiring right now. To learn more about the Desai Accelerator, visit www.desaiaccelerator.umich.edu.