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Michigan Supreme Court Strikes Down Controversial ‘Dark Store’ Tax Appeal

LANSING — The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday denied an appeal from big box retailer Menard Inc., effectively ending the so-called “dark store” practice of property valuation in the state. In an order handed down today, the state’s Supreme Court denied Menard Inc.’s request for an appeal in its lawsuit against the city of Escanaba because the justices

By |2017-10-20T17:22:35-04:00October 20th, 2017|Politics, Politics/Government|

M2 TechCast: Connecting With Reporters, Integr8 Promo, TechStak Update, Women In Technology

ROYAL OAK – On M2 TechCast Monday Oct. 23, Airfoil’s editorial services and media strategist, Tim Moynihan, will tell the listening audience how to connect with reporters. Automation Alley Executive Director Tom Kelly will promo his big November 8 event, Integr8. TechStak Founder Nicole Pasuit will interview two member companies. Kathleen Norton-Schock will update what’s

By |2017-10-20T11:14:41-04:00October 20th, 2017|Featured, M2 TechCast, Podcasts|

Duo Security Becomes Next Michigan Technology Company Valued At $1 Billion

ANN ARBOR - On Thursday, Duo Security announced it had raised an additional $70 million in a Series D round that propelled the software-as-a-service company's valuation to more than $1 billion - only the second Michigan Venture Backed-technology company to pass this financial milestone. Duo helps defend organizations against breaches with its two-factor authentication (2FA) app. Duo’s

By |2017-10-20T22:25:30-04:00October 20th, 2017|Cyber Defense, Featured|

TIEDetroit Brings Mobility Competition To TIECon Detroit Nov. 9

GRAND RAPIDS - TIEDetroit and Kyyba Xcelerator have partnered to bring a Mobility Competition to TiECon Detroit. This competition is aimed at recognizing the top six second-stage startups working on disruptive technologies in broad-based industries such as Mobility, Autonomous Transportation, Electric Vehicles, Connectivity, IoT, Automotive, Cyber Security, Smart Cities, and Big Data/Machine Learning. The six finalists will

By |2017-10-20T10:45:34-04:00October 20th, 2017|Connected Tech, Mobile MI|

New LTU K-12 Program Combines Computer Science, Physical Activity

SOUTHFIELD — Lawrence Technological University is launching a new program called CS+PA (Computer Science plus Physical Activities) that uses various exercise activities to illustrate and animate concepts in mathematics and computer science, while learning coding. Future versions of the class will also use Zumba, yoga, martial arts training, and fitness boot camp-style activities. The core

By |2017-10-20T09:42:56-04:00October 20th, 2017|ESD, STEM|

ForeSee Expands Service Offerings

ANN ARBOR — ForeSee, the consumer experience analytics provider, announced the addition of new consulting and usability services. “The expansion of our professional services offerings helps our clients increase the impact of their CX programs, and through that, their business,“ said Justin Mason, vice president of global professional services at ForeSee. “We have a dedicated

By |2017-10-20T09:44:15-04:00October 20th, 2017|ESD|

DeVries Nominates Himself For Permanent Director Of Michigan Technology, Management And Budget

LANSING - Michigan Senate Oversight Committee members heard from the director of the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget during a hearing to weigh reporting a recommendation on his confirmation to the full Senate. Referring to himself as "an advocate of public service," David DeVries told lawmakers Thursday he'd accepted the appointment from Governor Rick

By |2017-10-20T08:55:52-04:00October 20th, 2017|Politics, Politics/Government|

Foxconn Proposals Heavy On Tax Exemptions

LANSING - Michigan had offered Foxconn Technology Group some $3.76 billion in incentives for the plant it lost to Wisconsin and another $3.06 billion for a yet-to-be-announced plan, according to letters to the company. But both of those incentives were reduced by the final language of the Good Jobs for Michigan package (SB 242, SB 243 and SB

By |2017-10-20T08:36:17-04:00October 20th, 2017|Politics, Politics/Government|

How To Split Equity Equitably For Your Startup

ANN ARBOR - It's a question every startup struggles with—how to divide the equity before a product, an app or service is developed? Startup founders are often compensated initially with equity shares until the business starts making money, and equally splitting shares seems like the default. Equally splitting these shares can create problems such as

By |2017-10-19T09:30:02-04:00October 19th, 2017|Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs|

Grand Rapids Chamber Names 2017 EPIC Award Winners

GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday announced the winners of the 2017 EPIC Awards - honoring local organizations and professionals for their outstanding success stories and contributions to West Michigan economy. Twenty local entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations were in the running as finalists for seven EPIC Award categories. Recipients and

By |2017-10-19T09:22:10-04:00October 19th, 2017|New Products / Contracts|