ANXeBusiness double its size, expects to double again
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
A couple of years ago, ANXeBusiness was half the size it is today. That's a good thing for the Southfield-based firm software developer.
Then
it was just under 40 employees. Today it has 90 people and an intern
thanks to the acquisition of four companies mixed in with some organic
growth. ANXeBusiness hopes to repeat that feat again sometime soon.
"In the next year to 18 months we will probably double the size of the company again," says Jim Michels, vice president of marketing and sales for ANXeBusiness.
That's
come a long way from the company that started with 20 people in 1999.
Then it was part of an initiative to streamline information sharing
between car manufacturers and their suppliers.
ANXeBusiness
has since evolved its product lineup beyond the automotive sector. It
has customers in areas such as health-care and retail. Major League
Baseball even uses one of ANXeBusiness' software products to help keep
its statistics.
The company now has offices in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, Philadelphia, Cleveland, San Diego and Toronto.
Source: Jim Michels, vice president of marketing and sales for ANXeBusiness
Writer: Jon Zemke
PALS International adds 10 people, poised for more growth
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
PALS International has been around Metro Detroit for awhile and it doesn't look like it is going anywhere anytime soon.
In
fact, the Troy-based firm that specializes in foreign language
instruction has seen a steady increase in its business as the world has
become a smaller, flatter place. The company has added 10 new employees
to round out its staff of 75, and an army of independent contractors
that numbers somewhere between 500 and 1,000 at any given time.
PALS International looks to increase its business with 20 percent revenue growth and new customers in the near future.
The
company provides language training tools that accommodate busy, mobile
lifestyles. It combines proven instructional design with
state-of-the-art technology for its PALS Language On The GO! product.
The company can also provides tutors for its customers.
The
languages its courses cover are English, Spanish, French, German,
Italian and Dutch. Chinese, Japanese and Arabic courses are also
available on CD ROM.
Source: Darlene Freeborn, director of business development with PALS International
Writer: Jon Zemke
$8.6 million investment in Critical Signal Technologies leads to 366 new jobs
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
Millions of dollars in investment are expected to lead to hundreds of jobs at Critical Signal Technologies.
The Farmington Hills-based firm recently took in $2 million from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund,
along with $6.6 million in accompanying venture capital. That
investment is expected to create another 366 jobs at a firm that
already employs 146 people.
Critical Signal Technologies is a
life sciences tech company that develops 24-hour personal emergency
response and remote medical monitoring services for elderly and
disabled people. The system allows them to live a safer and more
independent life.
The product also helps reduce costs because
it can assess patient conditions on the spot and make sure the correct
medical or emergency personnel arrive on the scene. Critical Signal
Technologies launched its services in 2006 and has built its client
base to more than 3,000 customers.
The firm plans to add its new
employees and contractors over the next three years as it aims to pump
up its revenues to $15 million annually. .
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke
Lawrence Tech secures $800,000 grant to test military armor
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
The next generation of military armor is
about to be tested at Lawrence Technological University's Center for
Innovative Materials Research.
The university received an
$800,000 federal grant to build an environmental/loading chamber that
will be used to test vehicle armor and armor structural components. The
chamber allows researchers to test vehicle and composite armor while
simulating harsh weather conditions, such as salt spray, rain, salt
water, UV light, high humidity and sand conditions in freezing, thawing
and dry heat.
Lawrence Tech will work with the Army Research Laboratory and the Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center
in Warren, continuing years of work the university has done with those
organizations. The results will play a key part in developing materials
used to protect military forces on the battlefield.
The
earmark is part of a recently passed military appropriations bill and
is set to be built sometime next year. It is 20 feet long, 12 feet wide
and 12 feet tall, making it big enough to house whole military vehicles
or just parts of them.
The Center for Innovative Materials Research also houses three other major research initiatives, such as testing components of highway bridges.
Source: Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke
GLEQ looks for next hot start-up with biz plan competition
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
It's not quite American Idol or America's Next Top Model but the Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest is searching for the next hot thing in the world of Michigan's new economy start-ups.
GLEQ
is holding a statewide business plan competition for this fall and the
deadline to enter is Friday. Companies in the idea stage or established
firms can compete. The companies should be based in new economy
industries, such as alternative energy, software design and life
sciences.
The
competition will offer training, coaching and investor feedback for
budding entrepreneurs in the tech field. Winner receive a few thousand
dollars in start-up capital with no string attached. The first phase
focuses on executive summary of the new business idea and what
competitors might emerge once it's successful.
The
executive summaries are due on Dec. 5 and the winners will named on
Jan. 22. For information, call (734) 527-9151 or send an email to
diane@gleq.org.
Source: Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest
Writer: Jon Zemke
Hybra-Drive Systems gets $14.3 million in VC to create 52 new jobs
Source: metromode, 10/30/2008
Hybra-Drive Systems
came on the scene four years ago looking to capitalize on the
advancements taking place in the fluid power industry. It looks like
that strategy is panning out.
The Deerfield-based firm has attracted $14.3 million in venture capital this fall, including $3.35 million from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund. The investment is expected to create 52 new jobs at the 8-person firm.
Hybra-Drive
Systems develops ways to operate commercial vehicles more efficiently
through advanced hydraulic technology. Its products, which are
environmentally friendly, help reduce costs by improving fuel economy
and reducing emissions by as much as 60 percent.
The company is
developing or bidding on six different vehicle programs that are
expected to help expand the firm's product lineup. These vehicles can
be used in everything from postal delivery vehicles to taxi cabs.
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke
Franco Public Relations adds 2 employees, 6 clients, expects to hire 3 more
Source: Model D, 10/30/2008
People have been saying Detroit is in
need of some good PR for years, but little did they know that one of
the best public relations firms around is growing right in the Motor
City's downtown.
Excerpt:
Franco Public Relations Group
has made its home and grown in downtown Detroit for 45 years, and the
Ren Cen-based firm expects to stay on that road to success for a while
yet.
Lately the 17-person firm has added two new employees in
the last year and expects to bring three more on by the end of the
year. That's largely thanks to adding six new clients so far this year,
rounding out its client list to 33.
"It's a pretty weird economy
right now, but as hard as things are we're still landing clients," says
Maria Leonhauser, president and co-owner of Franco Public Relations
Group. “There’s still a need for our services.”
Read the rest of the story here.
Coherix capitalizes on Volvo investment, to increase staff by 20-30 percent
Source: Concentrate, 10/30/2008
The Swedes aren't taking over one of Ann Arbor's most promising start-ups, but it's investing heavily in up-and-coming Coherix.
Excerpt:
Sports clichés are, well, cliché when it comes to business, but they are also the philosophies that keep Coherix going strong in Ann Arbor.
"This
is our sport," says Dwight Carlson, chairman and CEO of Coherix.
"Everyday we get up for this and no two days are the same."
Read the rest of the story here.
Cielo MedSolutions lands $2 million grant, hiring 10
Source: Concentrate, 10/30/2008
Cielo MedSolutions is growing again, this time taking on 10 new people in Ann Arbor right away.
Excerpt:
About $2 million in new money for Cielo MedSolutions means another 10 new jobs at the software start-up.
The Ann Arbor-based company recently received $2 million from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund
and another $1 million plus cash infusion that is expected to create 70
new jobs at the 10-person company within the next few years. Of those
70 positions, 10 will be open right away.
"That money will help
us do further product development and new development," says Dave
Morin, CEO of Cielo MedSolutions. "This lets us play on a national
level and compete with our bigger competitors. It also lets us go for a
very large expansion."
Read the rest of the story here.
GREEN SPACE: NextEnergy names new president, launches new website
Source: Metromode, 10/30/2008
Sometimes the universe means for things to happen. The day before your intrepid Green Spacer was schedule to meet with NextEnergy's Mark Beyer for a catch-up session, she received in her in box a press release announcing the organization's new president.
Guess what my first question was about?
NextEnergy's new president and chief operating officer, Keith Cooley, has a name probably familiar to Metromode readers: he's most recently been director of the state's Department of Labor and Economic Growth. One of the first things he brings to the table is an executive order signed by Governor Granholm adding an energy department to DELEG, which fits in perfectly with the finally-established Renewable Portfolio Standard that calls for 10% of the state's energy production be from renewable sources by 2015.
It is this documentable shift in political winds that poises NextEnergy to become an even bigger player in Michigan's attempt to diversify its economy.
And they've already done a bunch.
A third of their efforts are spent on attracting federal dollars to Michigan alternative energy projects -- so far, they've netted $28 million of which more than $26 million has stayed in Michigan. Much of this is in the homeland security sector, where efficiencies mean more than just sustainability. It means security too.
The next third of the NextEnergy pie is devoted to industry services. Here's where they work on establishing a wind energy manufacturing work group to prepare companies and draw attention from out-of-state and overseas companies. It's also where small businesses are nurtured and bigger ones are helped to evolve with the times.
Finally, the organization works with foundations to write white papers on subjects like Renewable Portfolio Standards and build a flexible testing platform.
The website they launched late this summer describes all this in clear terms, but what you can't yet see is one of the most important parts of the site: a database of all state university research projects in the alternative energy sector, which sounds like a no-brainer but is found no where else in the U.S.
Looks like Keith Cooley has arrived to take the helm of an organization that is full steam ahead.
Source: Mark Beyer, NextEnergy
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Quantum Software creates 11 jobs, plans to add 5 more
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
Most businesses wish they could grow in ten years as quickly as Quantum Software has in its first year.
The Troy-based firm is only 10 months old and has gone from 1 to 11 employees
in
that time. The software-development company hopes to grow its revenue
by 40 percent within the next year and grow its employee base by 50
percent in the same time.
"We're working on some exciting plays
with our partners that could dramatically increase our revenue growth,"
says Sam Mancuso, president of Quantum Software.
The firm develops and sells applications, a.k.a. solutions, for SAP
software programs. These programs, called Blocks, help make other
businesses more efficient and profitable. They range from the Time
Block program for consulting companies to the Rent Block program for
equipment rental firms.
Quantum Software now plans to expand the
channels of its distributors on a worldwide basis with the idea of
expanding its client list and its profit base.
"We invested in the business as a start-up," Mancuso says. "We believe it will make a return for our investors."
Source: Sam Mancuso, president of Quantum Software
Writer: Jon Zemke
Teoma Systems diversifies and expands, creates 5 jobs
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
Teoma Systems started with a lot of people (12) in 2003, but the company has added quite a few positions since then.
Today
the Troy-based firm employs about 25 people, a handful of interns and
the occasional set of independent contractors. Of those people, five
have been hired within the last year.
And Teoma plans to hire another 3-5 people within the next year as it continues to diversify and expand its client base.
"We have been able to leverage our strategic business partners," says David Robinson, relationship manager with Teoma Systems.
The
company designs, implements and supports voice, video surveillance and
data solutions. It works with the likes of Avaya, Axis Communications,
Cisco, Compellent Technologies, HP, IBM, Juniper, Microsoft,
Objectworld, Symantec and VMware.
It serves clients in more than 30 states. It was also named one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch in 2008.
Source: David Robinson, relationship manager with Teoma Systems
Writer: Jon Zemke
Innovative Learning Group salvages business, makes it flourish
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
There's turning lemons into lemonade and
then there's turning failed businesses into successful businesses.
Guess which one is harder?
Lisa Toenniges and five of her
co-workers faced this perilous situation nearly five years ago when the
business they worked for went under. Rather than accept defeat she and
her comrades decided to turn the company into Innovative Learning Group.
"The
owners didn't want to start a new version, so we decided to give it a
go," says Toenniges, who became the president of Innovative Learning
Group.
Today the Royal Oak-based firm employs nine people and as
many as 20-30 independent contractors at any given time. It went from
six clients to 30 Fortune 500 customers today.
"So far so good, knock on wood," Toenniges says. "We were quite pleased."
Pleased
with the progress and looking forward to the near future. The firm has
enjoyed double-digit revenue growth every year and expects to settle
into an average of low double digits. Toenniges also hopes to add
another 1-2 people each year as the firm grows at its home a few blocks
from downtown Royal Oak.
"We want to grow steadily," Toenniges says.
Source: Lisa Toenniges, president of Innovative Learning Group
Writer: Jon Zemke
Entertainment Publication's website traffic shoots up 50 percent
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
A down economy is usually bad news for businesses, but not Troy-based Entertainment Publications.
The
company provides discounts and promotions on the Internet and in
traditional coupon books, the type of places people look to save money
in tough times. The firm's website traffic has shot up 50 percent this
year and its coupon prints are up more than 33 percent. It expects more
than 1.5 million prints by the end of the year.
"We have really used our website to complement Entertainment's books,"
says Ted Speers, director of corporate marketing for Entertainment
Publications.
This big expansion of business is also coming with
an expansion of staff. The company expects to hire about 100 people
this year and to continue to expand next year.
Of those new hires, 20-30 percent of them will work in Metro Detroit.
The rest will be part of the sales team spread out across the U.S.
"We are a growing company during difficult economic times," says MaryAnn Rivers, CEO of Entertainment Publications.
Entertainment
Publications began in 1962 as a "mom and pop" coupon book developed by
suburban Detroit couple, Hughes and Sheila Potiker. It has expanded and
diversified since then adding the likes of gift products and cookie
dough fundraisers.
Source: Ted Speers, director of corporate marketing for Entertainment Publications
Writer: Jon Zemke
Oxford Biomedical Research receives $730,000 grant for cancer research
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
Rochester Hills-based Oxford Biomedical Research is working on a new blood test that could help detect anti-cancer agents in patients.
A Small Business Innovation Research contract from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is helping fund the development of this test with a contract worth nearly $730,000.
The
test measures a blood-borne protein that may be a biomarker for the
efficacy of anti-cancer agents. A team of scientists, led by Dr. Thomas
Eling at the National Institute of Health,
discovered that treatment of animals with low doses of drugs such as
aspirin and ibuprofen reduce the occurrences of cancer and help produce
more anti-cancer agents.
The idea behind the test is to allow
doctors to monitor cancer-fighting agents and study their
effectiveness. It could also help them discover new anti-cancer agents.
Oxford
Biomedical Research develops, manufactures and markets more than 700
products for biomedical research. Its primary focus is on tests for
oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, two major contributors to a
variety of diseases.
The firm has been named as an Oakland County Emerging Sector Company. It launched a new venture called Wellness Indicators to leverage the company's 25 years of expertise
Source: Oxford Biomedical Research
Writer: Jon Zemke
Dearborn plays pivotal role in testing latest Ford SYNC technology
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
Surprise, surprise, the latest in automotive technology advances are coming from the likes of Ford and its SYNC services. What is pleasantly surprising is how Dearborn is playing a major part in the development of those services.
The Dearborn Police Department's
911 operators responded to emergency calls from test vehicles that had
been equipped with the latest in the SYNC services -- 911 Assist and
Vehicle Health Reports. The 911 Assist connects motorists with local
911 operators when an airbag is deployed or during a rear-end
collision. The idea is to minimize emergency response time.
The
Vehicle Health Reports feature offers on-demand notifications to
motorists who can use them to monitor the health of their vehicles.
These new features have been installed in Dearborn Police cars for
recent testing and will be used (for free) in Ford's 2009 vehicles.
Source: Randy Coble, spokesman for the city of Dearborn
Writer: Jon Zemke
GREEN SPACE: An A2 ranch goes zero-carbon
Source: metromode, 10/23/2008
A ranch house in the Geddes Heights area of Ann Arbor is being renovated in such a manner that its net energy usage will be equal to the amount of energy it generates via solar and geothermal production.
The Nautilus House, as it has been dubbed, is attacking the energy problem from all sides and, in so doing, a striking home is emerging.
The architect, Michael Klement of Architectural Resource and the builder, Doug Selby of Meadowlark Builders, found a creative and inspiring client in sculptor and homeowner Claudette Stern. Stern was interested in sustainability, not afraid of bold design and, in terms of cost, was willing to forego a new kitchen if it meant she could afford a more energy-efficient design.
In the expansion of the one-story north end of the home, a curvilinear roof was designed, which will accomplish many things: it maximizes the solar opportunity for the site, will aid in rainwater gathering and will act as a natural vent, instrumental in heating and cooling the home.
Other green aspects of the home will include geothermal heating and cooling; the use of structural panels and advanced framing techniques in construction, which will both minimize material usage and maximize the amount of insulation that can be used; and the reuse of materials such as windows.
The home will be Platinum LEED-certified as a remodel; the sixth in the nation and second in Michigan to be so recognized.
You might recall the first in Michigan: it was a home on Fourth Street that Selby and Klement collaborated on and that Green Space toured. Check out this article to learn more about it.
The home will be open to the public for a weekend in January for a "Behind the Drywall" tour; watch this space for details.
Source: Michael Klement, Architectural Resource
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Midtown resident turns website updates into Compupages business
Source: Model D, 10/23/2008
Creativity and entrepreneurship is alive and well in Detroit, especially in Midtown's emerging class of new economy workers.
Excerpt:
Douglas Doyle found his niche when he started Compupages
three years ago in Midtown. The one-man start-up specializes in
updating and enhancing web sites for organizations that don’t
necessarily have the money for all of the bells, whistles and Flash
features for cutting-edge sites.
"Most people's web sites don’t have the necessary features (like Flash
or e-commerce) because the person who designed them wasn't a
professional," Doyle says.
Read the rest of the story here.
Ann Arbor's Sungrace Software to add 6 people over next 6 months
Source: Concentrate, 10/23/2008
Sungrace Software is rising in Ann Arbor where it expects to hire a person a month on average for the next half year.
Excerpt:
The Sungrace name a family name. Sorta. Actually, it's a name Makarand Nalgirkar knows almost as intimately as his own.
His father started the first Sungrace company (an engineering firm) in
India several years ago. Nalgirkar and his brother started another
Sungrace firm in India in 1997. Three years ago Nalgirkar and his brother started Sungrace Software in Ann Arbor.
Read the rest of the story here.
Q LTD takes on Yale as client, adds 1 person, expects to hire 1-3 more
Source: Concentrate, 10/23/2008
Q LTD is taking on Yale U as a client and hopes to expand its workforce by 1-2 people.
Excerpt:
Q LTD isn’t just young at heart, it's young at staff, too.
The Ann Arbor-based firm recently added another person to its ranks,
rounding out its staff to 12 people. That new employee is described as
a "young designer" who can help reinvigorate the consulting and
design firm.
"We thought that was important to keep up
the energy of our company," says Christine Golus, vice president and
creative director for Q LTD.
Read the rest of the story here.