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Ann Arbor SPARK is launching a free online event series designed for small business owners.

The groundbreaking for the new campus is set for 2023.

Blumira continues to hire in the Ann Arbor area.

Rivian, which has just started deliveries of its battery-powered pickup truck, surged in its first day of trade after completing one of the biggest IPOs in U.S. history.

Workit Health reported a 400% increase in membership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Invest360 is a pitch competition that recognizes promising emerging companies in the mobility, healthcare, and information technology sectors.

Ann Arbor SPARK presented its 23nd annual FastTrack Awards to 18 companies located in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.

Students and companies can still apply to participate in the new Michigan STEM Forward program.

New Standard Ann Arbor is offering giveaways and discounts on opening weekend Sept. 3-6.

Ann Arbor SPARK’s a2Tech360 will be held October 1 through 8 online and in various in-person locations throughout the city.

Ann Arbor SPARK’s a2Tech360 will be held October 1 through 8 online and in various in-person locations throughout the city.

Ann Arbor-based cybersecurity firm Blumira hopes to double its workforce over the next year.

The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of experts, based on the business’s investor pitch.

The winners were selected by an esteemed panel of experts, based on the business’s investor pitch.

Prentice 4M says it is Michigan's first co-living, co-working space.

At its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK honored leading regional businesses and released its annual report.

At its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK honored leading regional businesses and released its annual report.

The virtual event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18.

The virtual event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18.

Here's a look at five innovative businesses in Ann Arbor.

Here's a look at five innovative businesses in Ann Arbor.

EMU is accepting applications for 48 paid summer intern positions.

Two projects building on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Back to Work Michigan plan expected to generate total private investment of $27.2 million, create 279 jobs.

Two projects building on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Back to Work Michigan plan expected to generate total private investment of $27.2 million, create 279 jobs.

ANN ARBOR – Jet’s Pizza is hoping to disrupt the industry with its new text-to-order technology. The pizza company has partnered with Ann Arbor-based startup Ordr AI to make text orders for customers a reality. More than 75% of stores are currently operating the technology and more than 1 million text orders have been placed since its launch. Jet’s Pizza is now offering 20% off pizzas to customers to text in their orders. “We teamed up, we hustled, we innovated, and we made something great,” John Jetts, President of Jet’s Pizza said in a statement.

ANN ARBOR – Shine & Rise will hold its first public-facing event on Friday, March 26 in honor of Women’s History Month. While its regular monthly events are members-only, the March 26 event titled “Challenge Your Team: Gender Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Work” is free to the public. Her talk will focus on how employees can challenge their companies to better practice diversity, inclusion and equity. Throughout the month of March, Shine & Rise is also collecting donations to support Girls Who Code and Alternatives for Girls. AdFor more information about Shine & Rise and to learn how to become a member, visit www.shinerise.org.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan House is again preparing to serve as a platform for the state’s innovators and creatives to connect with the worldwide audience that attends the South by Southwest Conference and Festival (SXSW) next week. In the moment it was devastating, but even within a couple days it was clear the right decision had been made,” said Ted Velie, a co-founder of Michigan House. We were thrilled then, that SXSW found a way for us to still connect this year.”AdOver the course of the five day virtual conference, Michigan House will host three Official SXSW Panel Discussions, a virtual meet-up for entrepreneurs, a Michigan Startup Portfolio, and a Michigan House Booth on SXSW’s digital platform. AdSee the schedule below for the panels, organized by Ann Arbor SPARK’s Komal Doshi, and the Michigan-focused SXSW event. Hosted by Start Garden, Ann Arbor SPARK, Detroit Startup Week & MEDCTo attend the free event, register here.

SXSW will have a series of Michigan-focused events this year.

ANN ARBOR, Mich – Although relatively new to Tree Town, technology startup PassiveBolt Inc has already gained traction for its innovative smart access module and its reimagining of keyless home entry. One of the first of its kind, the smart lock also freezes a door’s deadbolt when it senses an attempted security breach, like lock picking. Founded in 2018, Ann Arbor's PassiveBolt is introducing consumers to smart access. (PassiveBolt Inc)Maiga said that PassiveBolt’s first year was spent further developing its Shepherd Lock but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit things slowed down. It also intends to expand into other areas of keyless entry and smart access as time goes on.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor SPARK recently released the third iteration of its Benchmarking the Ann Arbor Region report. Across the remaining set of metrics, Ann Arbor ranked:Third in population movement, or net migration, up from fifth place in 2018. As a result of controlling for population, Ann Arbor continues to rise above the rest. However, when comparing to Austin, Berkeley, Boulder, and Portland, Ann Arbor is relatively inexpensive. “Aggregate statistics are sometimes useful, but they tend to hide disparities in opportunity,” stated the report’s author Alex West, director of research at Ann Arbor SPARK.

Ann Arbor SPARK releases its 2020 Benchmarking report.

ANN ARBOR – One of Tree Town’s very own has been named to the Forbes Next 1000 list. Sauve applied for the list and had a feeling she was picked when representatives continued to contact her. For now, she is the only Ann Arborite to make it on the list. AdCredit: IVEY Salon | Synecdoche DesignLiving by the motto “Do Good Work,” Sauve said the practice is expanding its charitable arm. A lean operation with five employees, architects Sauve, Smith and Sidney Migoski design projects remotely while design-makers Julia Hunt and Lindsey Sieja work in the shop.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor has uniquely positioned itself as a “sweet spot” for high tech. Extended Reality (XR) is an evolving industry that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). Ann Arbor SPARK, in partnership with the University of Michigan, has created an internship program to connect students with growing startups in gaming and XR. We’re also able to support local companies which fuels growth within our ecosystem and economy,” said Margarita Hernandez, director of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK. Since then, all participating students have maintained full-time or consulting positions and four students reside in Ann Arbor.

The program is the brainchild of Austin Yarger, CEO of Arbor Interactive and Game Development Lecturer at U-M, and SPARK’s entrepreneurial services team.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A young technology startup in Ann Arbor is bringing online marketing and browsing into the three-dimensional world. Founded in 2017 by software entrepreneur Donald Hicks, Saganworks is using new 3D media to create a more immersive experience for audiences online. Called a Sagan, short for Spatially Accessible Gallery of Archived Knowledge, the software allows users, including retailers, restaurants and organizations, to provide visually organized content and display products in 3D. The immersive digital rooms can be embedded into websites, landing pages or blogs, according to a release. AdThe startup has Sagans for businesses and organizations including Ann Arbor’s WSG Gallery, Blue LLama Jazz Club and Llamasoft Inc., The Henry Ford Museum, JOOB Activewear and the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts,Learn more about Sagans and Saganworks through its website.

ANN ARBOR – Local cybersecurity startup Blumira has plans to double its headcount in 2021. With a team of 25, Blumira plans to double its headcount by the end of the year with a focus on hiring additional leadership roles and growing its sales and engineering teams. Part of Blumira’s success over the past year is due to its adoption of SaaS applications and migration to the cloud. Most recently, he led product management at Duo Security, which was acquired by Cisco in 2018 for $2.35 billion. in computer science and was head of UX and engineering at Arbor Networks (acquired by NETSCOUT in 2015) prior to his role at Duo Security.

A QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System at LynxDx's headquarters in Ann Arbor. “We did -- and continue to do -- all of their screening and asymptomatic testing.”LynxDx also does testing for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital. As of Jan. 20, the company is the second leading lab for COVID testing in Michigan, following Curative DC, according to MDHHS. Drive-thru testing in Ann ArborIn mid-November, LynxDx opened a drive-thru testing site in Ann Arbor in the parking lot of 2|42 Community Church at 648 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR – PassiveBolt Inc. announced Monday it has been named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree for the second year in a row for its newest Shepherd Lock product. The world’s most influential technology event, CES 2021 is taking place for the first time digitally now through Jan. 14. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Assiciation, the annual CES Innovation Awards program is a competition which recognizes groundbreaking consumer technologies across 28 product categories. PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock Gen2 is a home lock which features keyless entry technology and provides access based on facial recognition and touch. “We are thrilled to win this highly prestigious award two years in a row,” Kabir Maiga, PassiveBolt co-founder said in a news release.

Workit Health co-founders Robin McIntosh and Lisa McLaughlin. ANN ARBOR – Workit Health, a virtual provider of substance use disorder care, announced Tuesday it raised $12 million in its latest funding round led by FirstMark Capital. Workit Health serves individuals, employers and healthcare organizations with its evidence-based telemedicine addiction care. People at all stages of addiction recovery can access Workit’s nonjudgmental and personalized programs. “Robin and Lisa’s commitment to Workit Health’s success goes beyond what is typically described as mission-driven.

ANN ARBOR – Claire Stetten recently started a new job with Ann Arbor-based DocNetwork, a tech startup that provides electronic health record systems for summer camps, childcare and schools. DocNetwork hired Claire after connecting with her during the 2020 A2 Tech Trek virtual job seeker trek as part of a2Tech360. "Ann Arbor is a gem in the Midwest with its great restaurants and accessible recreational areas — two things that were important considerations for me. A good friend who had previously interned with SPARK pointed her toward the organization’s job seeker resources, including the job portal. "I think going through the SPARK job portal helped my resume standout more.”Claire was also getting ready to participate in the virtual a2Tech360, including A2 Tech Trek and its inaugural Job Seeker Trek.

Ann Arbor-based DocNetwork hired Claire Stetten after connecting with her during the 2020 A2 Tech Trek virtual job seeker trek as part of a2Tech360.

ANN ARBOR – Tech veteran Jon Newhard joined conversational AI startup Clinc as the new CEO in July in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Clinc's new offices at 200 South First Street in Ann Arbor. “We get to keep not just the tech part of the business, but the core of the business in Ann Arbor. “I look at Ann Arbor the way I thought about Austin 25 years ago. He plans to engage local network Shine & Rise that aims to bring more women into the tech workforce in Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor SPARK won a gold category award for its Ann Arbor as a Mobility Living Lab, a project in the Public-Private Partnerships category of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)'s 2020 Excellence in Economic Development Awards Program. “Once again, Ann Arbor is recognized as a region that excels in innovation and collaboration,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. Ann Arbor SPARK works closely with the region’s academic institutions, public officials, and private sector businesses to build an environment that attracts mobility companies and talent to the region. Ford has partnered with the city of Ann Arbor for its Ford City Insights Platform. “The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the very best of economic development and exemplify the ingenuity, integrity, and leadership that our profession strives for each and every day,” said 2020 IEDC Board Chair and One Columbus CEO Kenny McDonald.

The honor was presented at an awards ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Mobility industry veteran Luke Schneider has been named as the new chief executive officer of Ann Arbor-based Refraction AI. Schneider has had over 25 years of experience in the mobility and transportation industries, including executive positions Zipcar, wejo, Flexcar and Silvercar. As CEO, Texas-based Schneider will work on Refraction AI’s expansion plan while cementing the startup’s involvement with contactless delivery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Refraction AI has received a four-fold increase in delivery orders from its partnering Ann Arbor eateries and has begun to scaleup its fleet of autonomous vehicle robots. In June it began using its robots to help deliver groceries through a partnership with the Produce Station.

ANN ARBOR – Conversational AI startup Clinc has appointed IT veteran Jon Newhard as its new chief executive officer. In April, Clinc laid off a third of its employees due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Conversational AI is revolutionizing the financial services industry, helping to personalize and improve the customer experience, an important part of digital transformation. This massive addressable market presents a great opportunity for Clinc’s world-leading AI technology and its talented people,” said Newhard in a statement. He has also held senior leadership roles with Kaplan Compliance Solutions, Cubic Corporation and Michigan-based New World Systems.

ANN ARBOR – For the thirteenth year in a row, AI supply chain software company Llamasoft has been named a FastTrack winner by Ann Arbor SPARK. The annual awards are given to companies in Washtenaw and Livingston counties that demonstrate year over year growth. Congratulations to LLamasoft!”This year’s FastTrack winners were required to have an annual growth of 20 percent over the last three years and a revenue of at least $100,000 in 2016. “We are honored to be recognized by Ann Arbor SPARK as a FastTrack company,” Sandra Moran, LLamasoft’s Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement. “To achieve consistent growth for over 13 years we have remained focused on delivering value to our global customers.

ANN ARBOR – October will mark a new phase in testing on University of Michigan’s campus as the school works to keep outbreaks of COVID-19 at bay. The university has partnered with local startup LynxDx for saliva-based ‘surveillance testing.' Up to 6,000 tests are set to be conducted per week on asymptomatic individuals as part of the U-M COVID-19 Community Sampling and Tracking Program. LynxDx, a prostate cancer diagnostics lab spinoff founded by U-M professors and scientists, pivoted its work to address the global coronavirus pandemic. “Please sign up for this free COVID-19 testing program,” U-M President Mark Schlissel implored during his weekly campus community update on Sept. 18.

ANN ARBOR – Kicking off a2Tech360, Ann Arbor SPARK presented its 22nd annual FastTrack Awards to 19 companies located in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. More than half of the 2020 FastTrack Award recipients were multiple-year winners. Rehmann is the 2020 Ann Arbor SPARK FastTrack Awards accounting partner and verified all of the award applications. FastTrack Award winners were recognized on Friday, September 18, during a virtual celebration and supported by presenting sponsor Northstar Bank. Eight-year award winnerOxford Companies is rooted in acquiring, managing, leasing, and constructing commercial and multifamily properties in the Ann Arbor area.

ANN ARBOR University of Michigans Desai Accelerator has launched its 2020 cohort online. Like most university programs during the coronavirus pandemic, Desai has moved its operations to a virtual platform. According to program leaders, it is the most diverse cohort the accelerator has had to date. "The Desai Accelerator provides cohort companies with the resources, guidance and mentorship to do just that, and were thrilled to be able to honor our commitments to seed capital, programming and hiring right now. To learn more about the Desai Accelerator, visit www.desaiaccelerator.umich.edu.

The episode, which became the first for a series called "Startup," was A+ entertainment, filled with humor, drama and tension. It wrapped up, not because Blumberg's company, Gimlet Media, is closing or downsizing, but because it's now a division of music-streaming service Spotify, which acquired Gimlet earlier this year for $200 million. According to a study earlier this year from Edison Research, about 90 million Americans are listening to podcasts every month, up from 73 million in 2018. Zach Braff Joe Scarnici | Getty ImagesThe podcast "Startup" wraps up by pulling back the curtain on what was happening inside the Brooklyn-based company when Spotify approached last year. A different perspectiveFrom the inside of Gimlet, the Spotify offer was a potential way out.

A startup that designs unisex skirts has reached its goal on Kickstarter to develop a line of skirts for men and women. CBSN's Contessa Brewer has the latest the new designs.

Power to Fly is a new hiring website for women who want to work remotely from home. CBS News correspondent Anthony Mason introduces us to the company's founder, who hopes to increase the labor participation rate.