HTC Global Services
Grant in 2024
HTC Global Services is a prominent provider of Information Technology and Business Process Services, established in 1990 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan. With over 28 years of experience, HTC serves various sectors, including Automotive, Banking, Government, Healthcare, and Education. The company, recognized as an Inc. 500 Hall of Fame and SEI CMM Level 5 organization, employs more than 11,000 skilled professionals. HTC offers a wide range of services, including Application Development and Maintenance, Staff Augmentation, Application Re-engineering, Enterprise Application Integration, Mobility, Testing, and Business Intelligence. Additionally, HTC has expanded its capabilities through acquisitions, including CareTech Solutions in 2014 and Ciber Global LLC in 2017. The company serves clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
Modal Motors
Grant in 2024
Modal Motors is a Michigan-based advanced electric motor company focused on multi-phase transverse flux motors and integrated controllers for mobility and related applications. Emerging as a spin-out from Veolectra, the company has a patent-pending motor technology that harvests magnetic flux within the motor to deliver high torque density and strong overall efficiency in direct-drive configurations. Its yokeless design avoids back irons, enabling potential operation without permanent magnets and the use of aluminum windings instead of copper. The architecture supports modular, scalable manufacturing with automated cell-based production tailored for the United States, aiming for low capital requirements and minimal manual assembly. Developed over more than a decade, Modal Motors has produced numerous prototypes and tests to validate performance and manufacturability, and its offerings include motor and controller solutions with liquid cooling, self-fixturing parts, and inverter integration to serve mobility markets and other applications.
Noble Gas Systems
Grant in 2024
Noble Gas Systems LLC, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Novi, Michigan, specializes in the development of gas storage and delivery systems tailored for the chemical and gas industries. The company utilizes innovative conformable tank technology to provide safe and flexible storage solutions for various compressed gases, including natural gas, air, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. By enabling clients to store and utilize high-pressure gases economically, Noble Gas Systems addresses the growing demand for efficient gas management in industrial applications.
SkySpecs develops unmanned aerial vehicles and integrated software solutions for the wind energy sector, focusing on operations and maintenance. Its offerings include analytics, blade inspection services, engineering projects, and collaborative tools that aggregate and digitize data from multiple sources. The Horizon reporting platform and a central data repository streamline communication with third parties and enable full‑scale repair campaigns. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and returns for renewable energy assets by providing purpose‑built technologies that help customers make informed decisions.
Orb Aerospace
Grant in 2024
Founded in 2017, Orb Aerospace is a manufacturing company specializing in the development of electric aircraft. Its innovative designs aim to revolutionize the aviation sector by incorporating redundant propulsion systems and modular wings for diverse missions.
Highland Copper Company
Grant in 2024
Highland Copper Company Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing copper projects in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. The company primarily targets sediment-hosted copper deposits and holds several key assets, including the 100%-owned and permitted Copperwood project, the White Pine North project, and the UPX Properties, which encompass approximately 448,000 acres of mineral-rich land. Highland also has the option to acquire a 65% interest in the Keweenaw Project. The Copper Range District, known for its historical production of over 15 billion pounds of copper, provides a strategic location for Highland's operations. With a strong geological foundation, Highland Copper Company aims to develop a pipeline of projects that leverage the area's mineral potential. The company was previously known as Highland Resources Inc. before its renaming in October 2012 and is headquartered in Longueuil, Canada.
Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center
Grant in 2023
Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center (BRCC) is a venture capital firm based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, established in 2003 by the Michigan Legislature and affiliated with Western Michigan University. It focuses on funding startups in the life sciences sector, specifically targeting pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics. The BRCC aims to support companies with a significant presence in Michigan, particularly those linked to Southwest Michigan. With investments typically ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, the center provides essential startup and gap funding to entrepreneurs and scientists as they transition their innovations into the commercialization phase. Drawing on Kalamazoo's rich history in the pharmaceutical industry, the BRCC is well-positioned to leverage local scientific talent and expertise, contributing to a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
Ann Arbor SPARK
Grant in 2023
Ann Arbor SPARK is a non-profit organization established in 1982 to support businesses in the Ann Arbor region. It offers programs, resources, and proactive support including business accelerator programs, market research, strategic planning, intellectual property validation, marketing initiatives, workforce development, financial analysis, funding attraction strategies, product plan reviews, space/equipment assistance, educational opportunities, site searches, workforce solutions, incentives, export assistance, financing, and university connections. It serves businesses in life sciences, automotive R&D, engineering, alternative energies, information technologies, homeland security, print and online media, imaging/vision sectors.
Invest Detroit
Grant in 2023
Invest Detroit is a development financial institution and source of private sector financing based in Detroit, Michigan. As a mission-driven lender, investor, and partner, it supports business and real estate projects that ignite economic growth in Detroit and the surrounding region. The organization backs entrepreneurial activity through programs and funds such as Detroit Innovate, an early-stage investment initiative focused on the Detroit region. Its activities aim to cultivate a robust local ecosystem by providing capital, strategic guidance, and partnerships to scale high-potential startups and attract investment. Managed by a professional leadership team, Invest Detroit seeks inclusive growth across technology, manufacturing, mobility, and related sectors, while maintaining a focus on long-term community development and job creation in Detroit and Michigan.
Payload CMS is a self-hosted, headless TypeScript content management system launched in 2018. It uses Node.js, React, and MongoDB, offering robust field types, dynamic fields like Arrays and Blocks, and purpose-built fields such as Relationship and GeoJSON for flexible data modeling. The platform secures data with access control functions at the document or field level.
Niowave Inc., founded in 2005 and based in Lansing, Michigan, specializes in the research and manufacturing of superconducting particle accelerators and their components. The company is a leader in the development of superconducting electron linear accelerators that facilitate the production of medical and industrial radioisotopes from uranium and radium. These accelerators offer a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional nuclear reactors, eliminating the need for weapons-grade uranium while simplifying operational and licensing processes. Niowave's product offerings include niobium, niobium cavities, superconducting magnets, accelerator systems, cryomodules, electron guns, and injectors, along with RRR testing products and cryogenic technologies. Through its innovations, Niowave aims to support medical professionals in cancer treatment and other applications that benefit from radioisotopes.
Ferris State University
Grant in 2023
Ferris Research is an analyst firm that specializes in email, serving as the initial archive for the Museum of Email and Digital Communications. Founded in 1991, it contributes to the understanding and preservation of digital communication history. The firm focuses on providing insights and analysis related to email practices and trends, catering to various stakeholders in the digital communication landscape. Through its research, Ferris Research aims to enhance knowledge and promote effective communication strategies in an increasingly digital world.
Prestige Stamping
Grant in 2022
Prestige Stamping, Inc. is a manufacturer based in Warren, Michigan, specializing in the production of washers and small stampings for various domestic applications since its founding in 1967. The company processes a wide range of materials, including aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, low and high carbon steels, and stainless steel, with thicknesses ranging from .020 inches to .375 inches. Prestige Stamping offers an array of heat treatment processes, such as case hardening and bright annealing, along with various plating finishes like zinc, nickel, and anodizing. Additionally, the company provides services including micro finishes, grinding, tapping, and reaming, catering primarily to the fastener, automotive, construction, and agriculture industries. Clients can conveniently place orders online, reflecting the company's commitment to accessibility and customer service.
Zero Tolerance
Grant in 2022
Zero Tolerance is a plastic injection mold machine shop located in Clinton Township, Michigan. The company specializes in a range of molding services, including sinker EDM burning, mold design, and 5-axis machining. Additionally, Zero Tolerance offers injection molding, 3D printing, and CNC machining services, catering to diverse customer needs within the manufacturing sector. With a focus on precision and quality, the company provides comprehensive solutions to support various industrial applications.
IFMetalworks
Grant in 2022
IFMetalworks is a manufacturing and design company that offers architectural and ornamental metals, aerospace tooling, and military vehicle components.
IFMetalworks is headquartered in Roseville, Michigan and was founded in 2002.
Elderly Instruments
Grant in 2022
Elderly Instruments is a musical instrument retailer in Lansing, Michigan, United States, with a reputation as a "megastore", a repair shop, and a locus for folk music including bluegrass and "twang".
Downtown Lansing
Grant in 2022
Downtown Lansing is committed to promoting the culture and sustainability of the downtown district. As a community connector and solution creator dedicated to balancing the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors to build a stronger future where Downtown Lansing is known for culture, opportunities, and activities at all hours of the day.
Bonnie Lucille Hair Studio
Grant in 2022
Bonnie Lucille Hair Studio is an upscale salon in the heart of small-town Laingsburg, Michigan. With experienced stylists, hair will be in great hands. It offers the latest in haircuts, color, hair treatments, and more - for all hair types.
Old Town Commercial Association
Grant in 2022
Old Town Commercial Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Lansing’s Old Town through socioeconomic development, historic preservation, business recruitment and community outreach.
Gardiner's Jewelry
Grant in 2022
Gardiner's Jewelry is a full-service Jewelry store in Roscommon Michigan. It has a selection of gold, silver, and rock Jewelry.
Southwest Detroit Business Association
Grant in 2022
Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) fosters innovation, drive, and commitment. It works with investors, entrepreneurs, customers, and neighbors to capitalize on Southwest Detroit’s competitive advantage. It supports the community’s vision for a healthy, vibrant neighborhood.
READ Association of Saginaw County
Grant in 2022
READ Association of Saginaw County is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help students improve their reading skills and discover the joys of reading.
Tecumseh Bread and Pastry
Grant in 2022
Tecumseh Bread & Pastry is a Bread & Pastry shop in Lenawee county, being the first of its kind to offer hand-crafted from scratch croissants, fresh milled & locally grown flour in all products, and delicious crusty sourdough bread without the use of commercial yeast.
Keweenaw Coffee Works
Grant in 2022
Keweenaw Coffee Works is a social enterprise that offers high-quality small-batch specialty coffee across the Midwest, while proudly celebrating the natural and cultural beauty of our home in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Crest Marine
Grant in 2021
Crest Marine, LLC is a manufacturer of commercial watercraft, houseboats, and recreational pontoon boats, established in 1957 and headquartered in Owosso, Michigan. The company produces a diverse range of boat models that typically range from 20 to 25 feet in length, including designs such as Savanna, Continental, Caribbean, Caliber, Classic, and Crest. As of October 2018, Crest Marine operates as a subsidiary of MasterCraft Boat Company, LLC and employs approximately 309 individuals at its Owosso facility.
Centrepolis Accelerator
Grant in 2021
Centrepolis Accelerator is an organization based in Southfield, Michigan, dedicated to fostering the growth of advanced manufacturing and innovative hardware entrepreneurs. Established in 2018, it focuses on supporting small manufacturers by providing resources and guidance to enhance their development and competitiveness. Through its accelerator programs, Centrepolis aims to nurture emerging businesses in the manufacturing sector, helping them to innovate and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Automation Alley
Grant in 2018
Automation Alley is a leading nonprofit organization based in Troy, Michigan, dedicated to fostering growth and innovation in the technology and manufacturing sectors. Established in 1999, it connects industry, academia, and government to drive Southeast Michigan's economy forward by providing resources, funding, and actionable intelligence tailored for the digital age.
Applied Dynamics International
Grant in 2017
Applied Dynamics International is a computer software company that provides systems engineering software and integrated systems. Applied Dynamics' flagship software product, the ADvantage Framework, is used to build powerful, multi-processor, distributed real-time simulation facilities with off-the-shelf computer equipment such as PCs and I/O boards.
Applied Dynamics is a privately held firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with staff located at various locations throughout the United States, offices in Derbyshire, UK, and resellers throughout the world.
Duo Security
Grant in 2016
Duo Security provides cloud-based access protection solutions for companies worldwide, specializing in multi-factor authentication (MFA), passwordless login, and single sign-on (SSO) technologies. Their services include unified endpoint visibility, adaptive authentication, policy enforcement, and secure remote access to both cloud and on-premises applications. Duo Security's offerings help protect against phishing, credential theft, and application breaches, serving industries such as healthcare, finance, technology, government, education, legal, retail, and more. Founded in 2009 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the company also has offices in San Mateo, California; Austin, Texas; and London, United Kingdom. As of September 28, 2018, Duo Security operates as a subsidiary of Cisco Systems.
RetroSense Therapeutics
Series A in 2015
RetroSense Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing life-enhancing gene therapies designed to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (advanced dry-AMD). There are currently no FDA approved drugs to improve or restore vision in patients with these retinal degenerative conditions. The company's approach to using optogenetics in vision restoration is based on pioneering, proprietary research conducted at Wayne State University and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Founded in 2009, RetroSense Therapeutics is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ann Arbor SPARK
Grant in 2014
Ann Arbor SPARK is a non-profit organization established in 1982 to support businesses in the Ann Arbor region. It offers programs, resources, and proactive support including business accelerator programs, market research, strategic planning, intellectual property validation, marketing initiatives, workforce development, financial analysis, funding attraction strategies, product plan reviews, space/equipment assistance, educational opportunities, site searches, workforce solutions, incentives, export assistance, financing, and university connections. It serves businesses in life sciences, automotive R&D, engineering, alternative energies, information technologies, homeland security, print and online media, imaging/vision sectors.
Algal Scientific
Series A in 2014
Algal Scientific Corporation, founded in 2009 and based in Plymouth, Michigan, specializes in the development and commercialization of algae-based products and technologies for various industries, including animal health, human nutrition, and water treatment. The company offers Algamune, a beta glucan derived from algae that enhances immune health in livestock and aquatic species, and AlgaGLUCAN, a similar product aimed at human nutraceuticals and functional foods. Additionally, Algal Scientific provides the Hypertrophic water treatment technology, which is designed to treat dissolved organics, nitrogen, and phosphorus in wastewater while generating a natural fertilizer byproduct. This technology serves customers in the food and beverage sector, including breweries, dairies, and meat producers, contributing to sustainable practices and resource conservation. The company also maintains an office in Beijing, China, to support its international operations.
Current Motor
Series A in 2011
Current Motor Company is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based manufacturer specializing in electric motor scooters designed for urban commuters. The company develops and produces all-electric maxi-scooters that are zero-emission and environmentally friendly, catering to the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions. Current Motor's scooters can reach speeds of up to 70 MPH and offer a range of approximately 50 miles on a single charge, utilizing standard household outlets for recharging. The company has established a strategic partnership with Dakkota Integrated Systems and sells its products through a network of dealers. In addition to scooters, Current Motor also manufactures electric hub motors and solar charging stations, further enhancing its commitment to energy-independent transportation options.
Advanced Photonix
Post in 2010
Advanced Photonix develops, manufactures, and sells optoelectronic devices and value-added sub-systems. Serving global original equipment manufacturers, they offer high-speed optical receivers, photodiodes, avalanche photo detectors, and Terahertz systems. Their products enable high-speed bandwidth in internet infrastructure, support communication test and measurement, and are used in scientific instrumentation for various applications.
Vestaron Corporation
Series B in 2009
Vestaron develops and manufactures peptide-based biologic crop protection products. Its offerings include Spear-T for thrips control in greenhouses, Spear-Lep for fruits and vegetables, and Leprotec for field use. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with a research center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Vestaron aims to provide growers with effective, safe, and sustainable biopesticides.
Black Tech Saturdays is an organization focused on promoting Detroit's Black tech entrepreneurs by developing a community platform and organizing events, workshops, and programs that enhance skill development, networking, and professional growth in the technology field, enabling knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and opportunities for meaningful relationships among participants.