GRAND RAPIDS - Problems with Michigan’s infrastructure go beyond deteriorating roads and bridges. Michigan also ranks poorly — 42nd among the 50 states — in terms of digital connectivity, according to an annual report on entrepreneurship in the state. The scorecard issued annually by Michigan Celebrates Small Business and the Small Business Association of Michigan ranks the state
BYRON CENTER — Rural wireless provider FreedomNet Wireless was acquired by an Indiana-based internet provider. The deal for Byron Center-based FreedomNet, which serves rural areas mostly south of Grand Rapids, near Fowlerville and in Southwest Michigan, expands La Porte, Ind.-based Surf Air Wireless LLC’s coverage area north into West Michigan, according to a statement. Surf Air Wireless now
HOLLAND — Shoulder Innovations Inc. closed on $2.5 million in a Series A equity funding round led by the Michigan Angel Fund of Ann Arbor. The additional capital will go to support new product development and to acquire inventory and assets needed to accelerate growth of the Inset platform for future products and systems now in development. “It is
DETROIT - The latest economic outlook from Business Leaders for Michigan shows far less optimism for the future among the state’s business executives. In the quarterly poll, only 31 percent of respondents said they held a positive view for the U.S. economy over the next six months, and just 22 percent believe Michigan’s economy will improve during
GRAND RAPIDS - Venture capital investors made fewer deals in Michigan during the third quarter than the same period a year earlier, although the amount invested more than tripled. VC firms invested $169.6 million in 26 deals in Michigan from July to September, according to a quarterly report from Pitchbook.com and the National Venture Capital
GRAND RAPIDS - Optimism about the economy remained high going into the third quarter among Michigan businesses surveyed by PNC Bank. In a semi-annual sentiment survey, 45 percent of the responding small and mid-market business owners and executives in Michigan said they feel optimistic about their local economy. That compares to 34 percent who said
GRAND RAPIDS — Auxo Investment Partners closed fundraising for its first fund after netting $50 million from family offices and institutional investors. The close last week enables Auxo’s partners to focus solely on seeking and vetting investment prospects. The Grand Rapids-based private equity firm expects to invest in 10 to 15 companies over the next three years
GRAND HAVEN - West Michigan automotive supplier GHSP Inc, a division of Grand Haven-based JSJ Corp,is planning to move into an advanced tech hub in Grand Haven. The manufacturer of electronic vehicle shifting systems and pumps for the automotive industry said it will open the 7,000-square-foot office in Grand Haven, where 20 employees will be tasked with developing
GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Angels plans to launch its third venture capital fund, seeking $15 million to $25 million that builds off of two prior, smaller venture capital funds at the organization. The new fund would target investments in advanced manufacturing, advanced agriculture, life sciences and software, all of which were focuses of the previous funds. Managing
GRAND RAPIDS - As Michigan begins to license medical marijuana businesses, a new association seeks to offer an array of financial services to the industry. The Grand Rapids-based Michigan Cannabis Risk and Financial Association LLC wants to connect medical marijuana growers, processors, testing facilities, distributors and sellers with insurance and other professional services they need for their
