DEARBORN—Ford Motor Co. announced it would establish a new global battery “center of excellence,” to be called Ford Ion Park, to accelerate research and development of battery and battery cell technology, including future battery manufacturing. “We’re already scaling production of all-electric vehicles around the world as more customers experience and crave the fun-to-drive benefits of
ROCHESTER—OneStream Software, developers of corporate performance management software, and PwC Belgium announced they have entered into a strategic alliance for the Belgian market. The partnership will leverage PwC’s expertise as a business and technology consulting provider and OneStream’s cloud-based CPM software to support activities ranging from project delivery to marketing and strategic business collaboration. “Belgium
ANN ARBOR—The Michigan Angel Community will host its annual Michigan Celebrates Angels event, virtually, on April 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event, featuring early-stage investors and startups, will include: The results of the 2020 Michigan Angel report, detailing activity throughout the state New Michigan angel groups, Commune Angels, Ark Angels, and Pointe Angels A panel discussion
SOUTHFIELD—The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University has launched a new program called the C 3 Accelerator for green technology companies working in the cleantech, climatech, and circular economy industries. The new accelerator, funded in part by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), New Economy Initiative (NEI) and the Wells Fargo
ANN ARBOR—Three counties in Michigan were identified among those most in need of new investment in green infrastructure, according to a new report from a coalition of environmental groups and consulting firms. The report, “Climate Risks and Opportunities in the Great Lakes Region,” identified Wayne, Ingham, and Isabella counties as places where green infrastructure investment
GRAND RAPIDS—Officials at Priority Health announced that the health insurer will continue to waive all copays, deductibles and coinsurance for medically necessary treatment of COVID-19 through Sept. 30, 2021. This means that all of the company’s nearly one million members across fully funded commercial, individual, Medicaid and Medicare plans can get the treatment they need
SOUTHFIELD—Students pursuing degrees in a variety of technology and engineering majors are eligible to receive a scholarship worth more than $78,000 over four years under a new program at Lawrence Technological University. The LTU STEM Scholar Award is offered through the university’s Marburger STEM Center, LTU’s clearinghouse for K-12 outreach efforts in science, technology, engineering,
ANN ARBOR—The deterioration in customer satisfaction across all industries in the United States continued in 2020, with a 0.9 percent drop in the fourth quarter to a score of 73.7 (out of 100), according to the national American Customer Satisfaction Index. While the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated things, the decline in ACSI began more than
ANN ARBOR—Officials at DaySmart Software, the developer of business management software for salon, spa, tattoo, and pet care entrepreneurs, announced the acquisition of Redwood City, Calif.-based Vetter Software, provider of cloud-based veterinary practice management software. This acquisition expands DaySmart’s pet services platform to serve veterinarians, groomers and kennel facilities. Founded in 2011 by Sagi Solomon, Vetter’s
CANTON TWP.—Officials at Lotus International Co., a Shell consumer products brand licensee, announced the debut of Shell Ride SR-5S e-scooter in North America. This is the first offering in the Shell e-mobility line of products. The electric SR-5S boasts a sleek design and provides a lower-carbon means of transport for personal journeys. Its features include:
