TROY - The Michigan state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, signed last week by Gov. Rick Snyder, includes a $2 million provision for Automation Alley, which will use the funds for business accelerator activities in areas including international trade, defense, manufacturing and entrepreneurship. The budget also includes an additional $500,000 Oakland
COMSTOCK PARK ? James Dean of Schoolcraft lost his wife, Diana, nearly four years ago. This year he decided to do something to keep her memory alive, and introduce her to people who would stumble across the gigantic 4,000-pound granite head rock headstone he had custom etched by Patten Monuments Co. Affixed to the tombstone
LANSING ? The Michigan Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday announced that the Michigan Strategic Fund is targeting to invest up to $9 million to help grow the venture capital industry in Michigan. All applications must be received by July 31 to be considered for award. ?Michigan is a national leader in research and development ?
ANN ARBOR ? The Michigan Venture Capital Association will be collaborating more closely with the University of Michigan through a new office that will open in July at the Tech Transfer's Venture Accelerator. With state support, MVCA members have invested in many UM startups, including HandyLab and Histosonics. MVCA has 200 members from 80 firms.
LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan at its June 21 annual meeting and networking luncheon presented its Legislator of the Year award to Rep. Jeff Farrington. ?Representative Farrington is yet another example of a small business owner who brought business expertise and entrepreneurial creativity to state government in an effort to effect positive
DETROIT ? If you have a great business idea, TechTown, Wayne State University's business accelerator, a pitch competition Aug. 3 that pays the winner $1,500. But you need to register by July 1. A panel of judges will select finalists to present at Startup Soup. Each finalist will have five minutes to pitch their business
GRAND RAPIDS ? Gamification is rapidly becoming a great way to engage web site visitors and also to extract valuable demographic information, panelists said Wednesday night at an aimWest program. Gamification takes the expertise of decades developing high-engagement games and applies those formulas to real life. Reward programs, loyalty programs, and even your frequent flyer
KALAMAZOO ? The Southwest Michigan First Life Science Fund will be managed by Open Prairie Ventures, an Illinois-based venture fund. Patrick Morand, Managing Director of Southwest Michigan First fund, will remain in this role as well as assuming the role of President of Open Prairie Ventures. The funds have collaborated for more than five years
SOUTHFIELD - Every day, millions of people search the web for products and services. Do you know how to make your organization's website show up in search results? During MCWT?s July 10 webinar, Cynthia Closkey, president of Big Big Design, will discuss the fundamentals of search engine optimization. Attendees will learn the difference between organic
KALAMAZOO - Kalamazoo Valley Community College is launching the Mechatronics Academy, an 18-week, full time, competency-based training program that will prepare students for careers in automated industrial equipment maintenance and repair. The Mechatronics Academy, which begins on August 20, was designed to assure that graduating students have the knowledge and skills essential to perform troubleshooting,