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By Matthew Russell

By Matthew Russell's Latest Articles

UIX: Now B Corp certified, 616 Lofts is poised as force for environmental good

Walk through any 616 Lofts building and you'll notice exposed brick and other architectural elements lend an identity to the space. It's the same way the company, now B Corp certified, does business, says Director of Environmental Sustainability Drew Coppess.

Michigan small businesses get cyber security right

It's rare to find a business that doesn't have a digital presence these days, and that means there are just as many potential victims of cyber threat. Fortunately, Michigan is home to several businesses that lead the field in cyber security and digital awareness.

The risks of free Wi-Fi: Connecting, sharing and stealing through small business’ networks

What are West Michigan businesses and institutions doing to protect themselves from cyber crime?

UIX: Children help each other heal, share and grow at Ele’s Place

The children who come to Ele's Place are often grieving and emotionally blocked up. At a young age, they might not know how to process the death of a  loved  one or who to turn to for support. But through peer support group programs and new friendships with other children who can relate, Ele's Place becomes a stage for compassion and growth.

UIX Blog: The color of our coverage

Diversity is important to our UIX coverage, and so is creating attractive story packages that engage readers. We look for color in many different ways and hope that our stories reflect that. 

UIX: radi8er has a new way to listen to the sound of the city

Jim Czerew and Rob Anthony are going to change the way people discover new music and engage their community. Their digital music project radi8er is a platform for local artists to gain exposure, list shows, and define the sound of their own city. At the same time, listeners have access to all their local music scene has to offer, as well as the option to explore the sounds of other cities, all from one spot. 

UIX Blog: Shared ideas and new trends in reporting, illustrated

In every story we publish in UIX, we highlight the ways in which a company or individual best represents sustainable growth and innovative thinking. There are many in West Michigan who embody those aims in countless ways but a lot of the same ideas remain in each source we report on, easily illustrated by word clouds.

UIX Blog: Crowdfunding data shows patterns by industry

There are more ways than ever now for people to get help funding their projects. Legislation four years ago cleared the way for crowdfunding platforms to help connect those with a need to those who can chip in, and West Michigan is home to many of those connections.

UIX Blog: Competition breeds creativity in West Michigan

Several of the people and organizations UIX has covered in the past have entered and found success in different business competitions.

UIX: College entrepreneurs can find funding and more through CampusStarter

Finding the funds to start a business when you're an undergrad isn't always easy. CampusStarter, led by Thomas Coke and Matt Larson, hopes to help, connecting college entrepreneurs to the resources they need most.

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