Technology and Innovation

$10M investors fund in Grand Rapids will aid startups in Michigan’s growth industries

By Newsroom

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August 19, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodLife sciences and technology, alternative energy and other growth industry startups in Michigan could soon receive an infusion of $10 million to spur business development and jobs. Michigan Accelerator Fund 1, L.P., a new Grand Rapids-based venture capital fund, has received $6 million in seed money from the state's 21st Century Jobs Fund, a program of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The investment jumpstarts the fund and moves it closer to its goal of having $10 million available for startups in early 2011. "We look for Michigan-based companies to invest in. They must be startups, and must fit into life sciences and technology, homeland security, advanced manufacturing or alternative energy," says Dale Grogan of The Charter Group, managers of the fund. "We'd like to make our first investment the first part of next year, and will be willing to look at the first prospects within the next the 30 days."Grogan credits the successful start of the fund to the collaboration of several regional partners, including Grand Valley State University, Van Andel Research Institute, Hope River Ventures, West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative, Grand Angels, Michigan State University Foundation, Right Place, Inc. and Lakeshore Advantage.Those organizations will help the fund raise the additional $4 million from investors around the state, Grogan says. "We're hopeful that this fund does great things," Grogan says. "We want to create Michigan jobs and we want them to be in the magic four categories, so if we can provide money to start up businesses in Michigan, and they grow and succeed, then we're doing exactly what we're supposed to do."Interested entrepreneurs can contact Grogan at The Charter Group at 616-235-3555, or through the MAF1 web site when it launches online in September.Source: Dale Grogan, The Charter Group and Michigan Accelerator Fund 1, L.P.; Amanda Passage, Lambert, Edwards & AssociatesDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Latest in Technology and Innovation

Remodel of former Davenport Grand Rapids campus brings innovative classrooms to GRCC students

By Newsroom

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Development News

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August 12, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids Community College didn't have much opportunity to renovate any of the former downtown Grand Rapids campus of Davenport University before students occupied some of the classrooms last year. This year is a different story. GRCC purchased the campus for $9.5 million in 2009, after Davenport announced its move to property in Caledonia. This summer, the three-story Sneden Hall, 415 E. Fulton St., has received new infrastructure, HVAC, new décor, wireless Internet technology and new technology in the classrooms.The most exciting development for faculty and students is the installation of Steelcase's LearnLab Environment in two classrooms, which could have a significant positive impact on how students learn. The technology includes the CopyCam Image Capturing System and the eno Interactive White Board."Tables are arranged in a five-point starfish design," says Vicki Janowiak, GRCC's executive director of operational planning. "There are three points around the room where images will be projected on mounted screens. From any point in the room any student can easily connect with the images.""We can capture digital images of any work students may do on any of the white boards around the room, the instructor can load it to Blackboard and the students can use the image to expand on their own work," Janowiak says. The technology also enables users to instantly email the work from any white board, print it or save it to flash drive or a LAN. Eno Boards act as a white board, magnetic board and multimedia projection screen and enable users to make notes on a projected image and save everything to post, print, email or project later to continue working. GRCC plans to conduct a research study on the effectiveness of the new concept. Source: Vicki Janowiak, Grand Rapids Community CollegeRelated ArticlesGRCC purchases former Davenport University for $9.5M, saves $25.5M compared to building newDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Grand Rapids goes mobile citywide with new Clear 4G wireless Internet service

By Newsroom

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Development News

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August 5, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe city of Grand Rapids and Clearwire announced this week that years of efforts to provide mobile WiMax Internet access throughout the city has culminated in the availability of CLEAR 4G for businesses and individuals. Grand Rapids is the first city in Michigan to have WiMax citywide, and one of the first 48 cities in the nation. Subscribers can use the Internet at speeds four times faster than 3G using laptops, smart phones and portable gaming devices from anywhere in the city, including while on the go states a press release from Clearwire."If you have a laptop, you can take it with you anywhere in Grand Rapids, plunk down on a park bench or anywhere, and access the Internet – you won't have to find a specific hotspot," says Mayor George Heartwell, who put together a wireless broadband advisory committee to spearhead the project. "We'll be able to put the service in our police cars, fire engines, and our building inspectors can use it," he says. "It will be cost neutral to the city; we'll pay to have it in our vehicles, but Clearwire pays the city for use of the towers." The CLEAR coverage area extends as far north as 7 Mile Road, south to Route 6, east to I-96, and west to Route 11. Subscribers who want to access Internet service when traveling outside the service area can purchase a dual-mode 4G/3G modem to stay continually connected through Sprint's 3G data network. Non-subscribers can access the service at any of a number of hotspots across the city, says Mayor Heartwell. These include neighborhood libraries and city busses. Clearwire says subscriptions for home use start at $30 per month; mobile access starts at $40 per month. Low-income residents can get subsidized access through the city of Grand Rapids for $9.95 a month. Click here for more information or visit The CLEAR Blog.Source: Grand Rapids Mayor, George Heartwell; Clearwire press releaseDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

MidwestSIP answers the call for Internet voice services

By Kelly Quintanilla

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Entrepreneurship

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July 15, 2010

It's easy to get lost in the techie talk of VoIP, but Jason Brown and Chip Engelhard hope the bottom line will draw in more customers: cell calls without using plan minutes, cheap international calling and specialty applications such as hospital phone systems.

Fair weather predicted for CommunityCloud next week at Frederik Meijer Gardens

By Rick Martinez

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Arts & Culture

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June 10, 2010

Not a cloud in the sky, but plenty visible on their smartphones, say Max Trierweiler, Dawn Simpson and Bob Karel. Next week the trio will be hosting perhaps the largest online social networking event in metro Grand Rapids, an outgrowth of an event on cloud computing.

Grand Rapids’ Atomic Object can’t sit still – new business model brings 7 new knowledge jobs

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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June 3, 2010

Deborah Johnson Wood Grand Rapids-based Atomic Object is a software development firm that just can't sit still – and doesn't want to. In the last 12 months, the company became employee-owned, added software design to its mix of services, created seven new knowledge jobs and became one of the 2010 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. "We have a new emphasis on product development, not just software development, and that helps our clients," says Carl Erickson, president and founder. "If they need design, programming, hosting, need to understand their pricing better or how to attract and retain customers, we can do it all for them." For instance, Atomic Object recently created a mobile app for Priority Health to make healthcare easier for their customers. "Our designers needed to know who it was for, the needs it served, what it should look like, how to design it," Erickson says. "All that comes after a lot of other work, and our growth has been driven off getting the right people in position to do that other work and broadening what we bring to clients." The company used to collaborate with outside design firms, which was successful but had limitations. "One limitation was that everything became very linear, and that meant we couldn't apply agile design," Erickson says. In the last year, Atomic Object has created seven jobs, hiring two interaction designers, a communications coordinator and filling five other technical positions, bringing the number of employees to 28. The company also works with apprentices, some of whom they hire after the apprenticeship is completed. This summer, three apprentices are on board, bringing the total number of apprentices the company has worked with since 2001 to 29. Erickson says 2009 revenues were flat at $3.4 million, but predicts that 2010 will come in at about $3.9 million. Source: Carl Erickson, Atomic Object Related Articles RGTV: Atomic Object Atomic Object is People Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Development News tips can be sent to info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.

Easing the Pane of Energy Costs: Pleotint Launches Smart Window Film

By John Rumery and Matthew Gryczan

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Entrepreneurship

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May 27, 2010

Harlan Byker has made a career out of coaxing things to change color as if by magic, and Pleotint appears to be his next marvel. Only for this trick, the inventor hopes to tease savings out of energy bills for building owners.

Motorola Taps GVSU for Smart Phone Research

By Victoria Mullen and Matthew Gryczan

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Technology and Innovation

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May 6, 2010

With the power of smart phones in their pockets, consumers can use new apps to become uber comparison shoppers. But the flow of information can be a two-way street for retailers, Jonathan Engelsma says.

Taking a New Tack

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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March 18, 2010

Kelly Slikkers is using technology developed by the Holland company his grandfather founded to break into 21st century markets in wind power, defense and mass transportation. Take a look at how Energetx Composites L.L.C. makes it happen.

Holland sells its neighborhoods, schools and culture on new web site to attract talent

By Newsroom

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Development News

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March 4, 2010

Deborah Johnson WoodThe City of Holland has launched a new web site geared at promoting the city to people looking to relocate for jobs, college or retirement. The site, www.enjoyhollandmichigan.com is an opportunity for people to explore what Holland has to offer them, from their homes or offices and that their own pace. "The ultimate goal is to create a one-stop shop for people who want to know what it's like to come and live in Holland, Michigan," says Joel Dye, city of Holland community development coordinator. "We are anticipating the primary users to be Realtors, who will show it to clients considering relocating, and recruiters looking to bring employees into the area."The web site includes pages about Holland's neighborhoods and schools, its economy and jobs. Other pages tout the downtown shopping district, recreation programs throughout the city, including those at Evergreen Commons and the Holland Community Aquatic Center, and information on the city's parks and beaches. "If you're relocating for a job in Holland and bringing a spouse, you can go to the jobs page to see what work is available for them," Dye says. "There are links to the area's largest employers, to the Chamber of Commerce, to Lakeshore Advantage and to others. Ten people who work in Holland are quoted on what they like about working in Holland."The home page includes a promotional video of Holland originally created for another web site, www.hollandbythelake.com. The video garnered 21,000 hits and prompted local fans to urge the city to expand on it and create the new web site. Grooters Productions created both web sites and the video. Source: Joel Dye, city of HollandRelated ArticlesHolland launches $300,000 marketing campaign to attract talentDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com. Have a development news tip for Rapid Growth? Contact us at info@rapidgrowthmedia.com.