Sterling Heights : Innovation & Job News

UHY, an accounting firm, has traditionally scored its revenue gains from word-of-mouth marketing for most of its 40-plus years of doing business. Now the Farmington Hills-based firm is helping buffet its current growth streak with some more conventional marketing efforts.

"We have done a lot of branding over the last couple of years," says Dennis Petri, partner with UHY. "We have done a billboard campaign highlighting some of the principals in the firm."

That work has allowed the company to notch significant revenue gains (either high single digits or low double digits) in each of the last few years. Last year it hit 8-percent growth and is on track to do it again in 2013.

UHY specializes in providing financial, tax, and business consulting services to mid-sized and larger companies. It has been able to attract a number of new clients in the last year, which has allowed it to hire nearly 20 people in the last year. The company now has 260 employees and more than a dozen interns, most of which are in its Farmington Hills headquarters and its Sterling Heights office.

"We have an excellent recruiting program," Petri says. "We have a couple of excellent individuals who do recruiting for us, most of which occurs at college campuses."

Source: Dennis Petri, partner with UHY
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

AQABA Technologies is enjoying double-digit growth because of its growing relationship with one of the biggest names in tech, Google.

The Sterling Heights-based firm began working with the Google Engage Agency Program last year, which required months of training and flying back and forth between Detroit and Silicon Valley.

"We have been landing large contracts and more intricate work because of our relationship with Google," says Ramsey Sweis, president of AQABA Technologies.

The 9-year-old tech firm's revenue has been on a steady trajectory since the economic downturn. It went from clocking single-digit revenue gains in 2010 to 40-percent growth in 2011 and 62-percent growth last year. The firm has watched its client list expand to more than 200, which includes not only work from new clients but expanding existing work with old customers.

"The key to our longevity is the loyalty of our customers," says Ramsey Sweis, president of AQABA Technologies.

That allowed the company to hire three people, expanding its staff to nine employees and two interns. It is currently looking for an account executive and expects to make one more hire later this summer.

Source: Ramsey Sweis, president of AQABA Technologies
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Munetrix is starting to gain traction in its market. The 3-year-old tech firm has tripled its sales over the last year and is on track to double its revenue again this year.

The Auburn Hills-based start-up is developing a software platform that focuses on making local municipalities (think school districts and cities) more transparent and accessible. The platform incorporates social media, web-based financial tools and database management. The idea is to enable local government to network more effectively and build long-range fiscal roadmaps in a fraction of the time legacy systems require.

"It's not just a business intelligence tool that a client installs," says Bob Kittle, president of Munetrix. "It's an open forum that is available to the world."

Kittle adds that the software is "built from a citizen's perspective," making it more accessible to everyday people. The price for each customer is set by its population base, so smaller municipalities like Ferndale (a customer) don't pay as much as Wayne County (also a customer). Munetrix now has approximately 750 jurisdictions at low-level subscriptions and more than 140 at premium subscriptions.

"It works out well for everybody," Kittle says.

Munetrix, which is a client of the Sterling Heights-based Macomb-OU INCubator, currently employs a team of nine staffers and an intern. It recently hired a marketing coordinator and is looking to hire an office manager.

Source: Bob Kittle, president of Munetrix
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

American Hydrostatics has moved to a bigger facility in Sterling Heights, allowing the automotive supplier to continue expanding its staff at an aggressive clip.

The 30-year-old business has hired seven people in the last year with most of the hires coming in the control engineering, electrical engineering and skilled trades areas. Its staff now sits at 20 people and the company expects to double its employee base this year thanks to its new home, which is three times as big as its previous home.

"We couldn't find a space as big as ours in Troy for the price we're paying in Sterling Heights," says Sri Bramadesam, principal of American Hydrostatics.

American Hydrostatics, a minority-owned firm, provides industrial automation, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) distribution services, controls engineering, field service, maintenance, and engineering services. It recently landed a $1 million investment from Delta Asset Advisors.

American Hydrostatics plans to work with local community colleges and technical institutes to find the 20-25 hires it expects to make this year. Bramadesam sees this expansion as an opportunity to replenish the local manufacturing talent pool that was significantly drained in the most recent economic downturn that bankrupted a lot of automotive suppliers like his.

"We navigated through it," Bramadesam says. "We emerged much stronger."

Source: Sri Bramadesam, principal of American Hydrostatics
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

LogiCoul Solutions spent its first couple of years trying to gain traction for its battery enhancement technology in Massachusetts. The 4-year-old start-up began to pick up speed last year when it switched its focus market from mobile devices to automotive and made the move to the Macomb-OU INCubator.

That shift brought three jobs to Sterling Heights and brighter prospects for the firm. Its team notes the difference in how Metro Detroit's business community is more collaborative and helpful as a significant reason for its optimism.

"If people here can't help you, they point you in the right direction," says David Stout, executive vice president of LogiCoul Solutions.

LogiCoul Solutions is developing technology that sends electromagnetic waves to a battery, which lowers resistance and creates more useful energy. The bottom line is a longer-lasting and more energy-efficient battery. The company won the Emerging Business award at the 2011 Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest business plan competition, an experience that played a significant role in attracting the business to Michigan.

LogiCoul Solutions also recently received $9,872 from the Business Accelerator Fund of the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center. That seed capital will help the business do more testing on its technology.

"If we get the results we expect to get, we think our technology will be in automobiles within a few years," Stout says.

Source: David Stout, executive vice president of LogiCoul Solutions
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Macomb-OU INCubator has landed a couple of large grants this year, totaling to a bit more than $1.2 million in new funding.

The business accelerator based in Sterling Heights has won a $500,000 marketing grant from the state of Michigan to help get the word out about its entrepreneurial efforts. It has also scored a $776,000 federal grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to help get more local companies involved in the defense and homeland security industries.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency grant is meant to help encourage more Metro Detroit companies to engage the growing defense sector in Macomb County. The grant helps pay for educational programs, such as showing them how to clear the federal hurdles to compete for defense contracts. It is also looking to set up a $350,000 matching funds program for companies looking to raise seed capital.

"We want to help some people with some matching awards," says Larry Herriman, director of Michigan's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Matching Funds program. "We want to sweeten the pot."

The Michigan Economic Development Corp also awarded a $500,000 grant to the Macomb-OU INCubator. The money will allow the business accelerator to provide entrepreneurial resources, capital, and provide more assistance and access to Oakland University resources and the student internship program.

It will also beef up program offerings to small business clients, such as the Lunch and Launch series, Fireside Chats (where successful entrepreneurs tell their stories), an Executives-in-Residence program, business advisory boards and a monthly Capital Raise Meetup.

Source: Larry Herriman, director of Michigan's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Matching Funds program
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

When Nathan Oakes launched his energy and mechanical services firm Range Gen two years ago, he looked at only one space to base it out of, the Macomb-OU INCubator.

The Sterling Heights-based incubator helps companies and organizations with large automotive fleets become more fuel efficient and operate in a more optimal manner. The Macomb-OU INCubator's deep contacts and resources in Metro Detroit's defense and homeland security sectors provided the prime platform for Range Gen's launch. The company is now preparing for a significant scale-up this year.

"It is really in a class of its own," says Oakes, president & CEO of Range Gen. "There isn't one organization that is doing the type of work that is being done at the Macomb-OU INCubator."

Range Gen now employs 14 people and is getting ready to welcome a handful of interns (its first batch) this spring from Oakland University. It has hired 10 people in the last year and expects that number to grow exponentially in 2013.

"We are turning the corner, so to speak," Oakes says. "With Diesel at $4.15 a gallon, our services are in high demand. ... We are growing pretty quickly. We believe in the next 100 days we will have 200 bodies (120 permanent jobs, 80 temporary positions). We are close to signing a couple of big clients."

Source: Nathan Oakes, president & CEO of Range Gen
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

RAVE Computer, formerly Rave Computer Association, has been growing its clientele through adding more business with Michigan-based firms. It's a plan that has allowed the Sterling Heights-based company to hire five people over the last year.

"The growth has been in our presence in Michigan," says Rick Darter, president & CEO of RAVE Computer. "It's been phenomenal."

RAVE Computer works in modeling, simulation and visualization work. It is the anchor tenant of the Macomb-OU INCubator, allowing it to focus on growing its business with firms based not only in the Great Lakes state but in the defense industry. A few years ago, about 3 percent of the company's customer base came from Michigan. Now it's well into the double digits.

The firm now employs 40 people and one intern. Its new hires work in areas that focus on government contracting expertise, product development and marketing. Darter expects to keep hiring in 2013.

"We will continue to hire a strong presence in the defense industry," Darter says. "I see a large portion of our growth being in the commercial sector right here in Michigan."

RAVE Computer is also serving as a mentor advocate for the Women In Defense Michigan chapter's GRID Mentorship program this year. The program assists Women In Defense Michigan members looking become more active in the defense and national security industries to help grow the military business sector in the Great Lakes State.

Source: Rick Darter, president & CEO of RAVE Computer
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Metro Detroit start-ups ran away with the top prizes in this year's Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition earlier this month.

Plymouth-based Algal Scientific took home the grand prize of $500,000 in seed capital for its wastewater treatment system technology that uses algae to remove nutrients from contaminated water, leaving the raw materials for biofuel production. Livonia-based nanoMAG took home the $100,000 runner-up prize for its work developing a new type of Magnesium compound that can be used for biocompatible stents and implants.

Six people and an intern are now employed at nanoMAG, which moved from Ann Arbor to Livonia about a year ago to take advantage of a manufacturing facility. It expects to hire a few more people next year as it continues development of its technology. Steven LeBeau, president of nanoMAG, plans to use the cash and the win to leverage an even bigger seed capital round next year.

"We're using the contest as a PR tool to get in touch with people we have been in contact with over the last year for fundraising," LeBeau says. "We're hoping to leverage the $100,000 into seven figures."

Other Metro Detroit winners include:

- InfiChem Polymers, which won the $25,000 prize in the the Advanced Materials category.  The Sterling Heights-based start-up reuses a main chemical in polyurethane foam as a basic building block to manufacture new polyurethane foam. The old polyurethane foam comes from post-industrial scrap that is normally landfilled.
- BioSavita, which won the $25,000 price in the Life Sciences category. The Plymouth-based start-up is developing biotechnology focused on accelerating therapeutic antibody development.
- Coliant, which won the $25,000 prize in the Next Generation Manufacturing category. The Warren-based start-up's Powerlet brand is an electrical accessory in the powersport industry that allows users of things like motorcycles and ATVs to plug their gadgets into the vehicle.

Source: Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition and Steven LeBeau, president of nanoMAG
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Coliant has opened a new office in the Macomb-OU INCubator with offices at the Velocity Collaboration Center in Sterling Heights, a move that has led the Warren-based company to expand its staff.

The 8-year-old firm employs 17 people and the occasional intern. It has hired six people over the last year, many of which are staffing the new office in Sterling Heights.

Coliant created Powerlet, an electrical accessory in the powersport industry that allows users of things like motorcycles and ATVs to plug their gadgets into the vehicle. The company has expanded its domestic sales of this product and is expanding into military markets.

"By focusing on sales we have grown exponentially," says Adam Bonislawski, vice president of sales for Coliant.

Coliant is also a semi-finalist in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. The company hopes to win the competition's $500,000 grand prize or one of its secondary prizes, which are usually in the five-figure range.

"Access to capital is always necessary for a growing business," Bonislawski says. "We have to keep an eye out for any opportunities for new capital."

Source: Adam Bonislawski, vice president of sales for Coliant
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

BEET Analytics Technology has locked down $1.25 million in seed capital in its first year, setting the stage for it to launch its manufacturing software and help it gain traction.

The Plymouth-based start-up, which utilizes the services of the Macomb OU-INCubator, provides diagnostic and analytic software for automation and manufacturing markets. Its software provides insight into manufacturing quality and maintenance performance, along with monitoring capabilities to component level activities. The 1-year-old company is set to launch its product later this year.

"We would like to be the premier automotive intelligence software provider," says Edward Kim, president of BEET Analytics Technology. "We would like to help company in the automotive industry improve production through cost savings."

BEET Analytics Technology currently employs nine people. It has recently hired two people and expects to hire another in the near future. The recent infusion of $250,000 from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund is expected to help fund that staff expansion.

Source: Edward Kim, president of BEET Analytics Technology
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

The Macomb-OU INCubator has landed a $766,000 grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund to assist the state's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, commonly known as DARPA.

The new two-year grant will allow the Macomb-OU INCubator to study the DARPA activity in Michigan, host semi-annual training courses for Michigan companies and organizations interested in DARPA, support organizations and companies that take on DARPA challenges and create a matching fund for companies and organizations that secure DARPA awards.

"We expect to spend $150,000 in year one (on the matching fund)," says Larry Herriman, assistant director of the Macomb-OU INCubator. "We expect to spend $200,000 in year two. That's $350,000 in total."

The grant comes as part of a larger $3.25 million grant that went to Grand Valley State University-Small Business Technology and Development Center, Macomb OU INCubator. and NextEnergy Center in Detroit.

Source: Larry Herriman, assistant director of the Macomb-OU INCubator.
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Infichem Polymers isn't just making a name for itself as a plastics company but as a green company.

The Sterling Heights-based start-up reuses a main chemical in polyurethane foam as a basic building block to manufacture new polyurethane foam. The old polyurethane foam comes from post-industrial scrap that is normally landfilled. Reusing it in Infichem's InfiGreen polyol helps reduce the Co2 emissions and is sustainable and contains natural renewable oils with reducing the amount of foam scrap that goes to landfill.

"Our polyol is the greenest polyol in the world," says Gerald Winslow, vice president of sales & marketing for Infichem Polymers.

And it has been in high demand. Infichem Polymers has signed up some large customers, such as Chrysler and Magna. That has allowed the 3-year-old firm to grow its revenues by 1,200 percent and hire six people. It now employs 12 people and expects to keep up that torrid pace of growth.

Infichem Polymers has also made the semi-finals of this year's Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. It won the Advanced Materials category in the competition last year and is setting it sights higher this year.

"We think we have a chance to win the top prize this year," Winslow says.

Source: Gerald Winslow, vice president of sales & marketing for Infichem Polymers
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

One of the most enjoyable trends in Lori Bianco's business, BiancoCPA, isn't its recent growth or helping small businesses (although those are positive things from her point of view) but helping bring more business to Michigan.

The Sterling Heights-based accounting firm has watched a significant amount of its growth coming from helping international businesses set up operations in Metro Detroit. Often these companies are establishing a North America headquarters in southeast Michigan.

"This has allowed us to bring more work into the U.S.," Bianco says. "That's pretty neat."

BiancoCPA got its start in 1997. Since then it has handled a number of accounting jobs, such as helping small businesses with taxes and private accounting services. The company has grown to the point that it could hire another person over the last year, expanding its staff to five people. That's a significant jump for the company that was able to fight through the recent recession.

"I am excited about it," Bianco says. "There was a dry period for a while and we were challenged like everyone else. Now there is a slow-but-steady increase in interest."

Source: Lori Bianco, president & founder of BiancoCPA
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Sankuer Composite Technologies has doubled its staff on a significant bump in growth coming from broad range of new business for its products.

The Sterling Heights-based company creates prototypes and customer products made of carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass components. The common denominator between the products is that they are all light weight, which means they have been traditionally used by the automotive, aviation and marine industries. Think racing cars and boats which look to reduce weight in order to increase speed.

The 9-year-old company's growth is coming from not only increased business in those sectors but also expanding into new areas, such as exhibition. Those industries are looking to lower fuel costs with Sankuer Composite Technologies' lightweight products.

"If they can use material that is much lighter it will cost them less money to ship them across the country, like the displays for the auto shows," says Tim Doty, director of business development/legal for Sankuer Composite Technologies.

That new business has allowed Sankeur Composite Technologies to hire four people this year, doubling its staff. Doty believes his company could be hiring more before the end of this, perhaps as soon as later this month.

Source: Tim Doty, director of business development/legal for Sankuer Composite Technologies
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.