GRAND RAPIDS—MaxOne, a Grand Rapids-based online youth coaching startup, announced it had raised $3.5 million in Series A financing. The round was led by Stadia Ventures, a St. Louis-based sports and eSports venture firm, and also included NBA star Chris Paul, the Piquet Family Office, a minority owner of the Texas Rangers, and the Grand
CADILLAC—Officials of Consumers Energy, the state of Michigan, and the city of Cadillac last week dedicated the company’s third solar power plant, Cadillac Solar Gardens. Consumers Energy’s Clean Energy Plan proposes using nearly 8,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2040, ending the use of coal by 2025, achieving net zero carbon emissions and saving customers
BLOOMFIELD HILLS—Ready to buy a used car entirely online? Bloomfield Hills-based Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE: PAG) and Atlanta-based Cox Automotive Inc. are ready to sell you one that way. Officials at the two companies have announced the launch of CarShop, a fully automated technology platform to enable the online retail sale of used vehicles.
DETROIT—Comerica Michigan Economic Activity Index increased in May to a level of 106.7, 24.4 percent higher than the all-time low of 85.8 reached in June 2020, at the bottom of the coronavirus recession. The index averaged 100 points for all of 2020, 9 points below the index average for 2019. The index is comprised of
FLINT—Officials at the Louisville, Ky.-based healthcare business accelerator XLerateHealth announced the selection of six startup companies to participate in the 2021 cohort of startups at its Flint office. This year’s program will be fully virtual following last year’s success in light of COVID adaptations. XLH Flint is funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the
TROY—Officials at electric vehicle maker Electric Last Mile Solutions Inc. announced that the company has signed a binding, long-term supply agreement with Liuzhou Wuling Automobile Industry Co. Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of electric cargo vans and light duty specialty vehicles. Under the agreement, ELMS will have long-term access to EV component systems and parts from
SOUTHFIELD—After several years of effort, officials at the Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX) said the organization has been granted tax-exempt status, establishing itself as a long-term, standalone entity and furthering its commitment to improve Michigan internet connectivity. Since its founding in 2014, the DET-iX has grown to become the largest fee-free exchange in the world and
SOUTHFIELD—The members of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation want to increase the number of women occupying senior leadership roles inclusive of the so-called C-suite—chief executive officers, chief information officers, and more. So, the organization’s most recent program—an immersive Leadership Clinic now open for applications—turns the region’s chief information officers as coaches and mentors for
TROY–Officials at the Troy data analytics and consumer intelligence provider J.D. Power announced the company had acquired Edison, N.J.-based Superior Integrated Solutions Inc., a developer of finance and insurance software used by automotive dealerships. Terms were not disclosed. “We are focused on maximizing the value of our extensive data and analytics assets by connecting the
ANN ARBOR–DaySmart Software, the business management software developer, announced the acquisition of Seattle, Wash.-based Dash Platform, a developer of sports facility and recreation management software. This acquisition expands DaySmart’s reach into new industries, such as sports facilities, parks and recreation departments. Dash Platform is software-as-a-service that supports all facets of sports and recreation business operations.
