Techstars

TripSlip is a Detroit based Ed Tech company that has solved the paper problem for field trips.

Lenme is a mobile application designed to streamline peer-to-peer lending and borrowing, addressing the needs of millions of Americans who require small loans for unexpected expenses. The platform connects borrowers seeking flexible loan options with lenders interested in earning returns on their investments. By leveraging extensive data on each borrower, Lenme enables lenders to offer competitive rates, reducing the average high costs associated with traditional lending methods, which often lead to exorbitant interest rates. This approach not only provides borrowers with an alternative to traditional financing options, such as bank loans and credit cards, but also allows investors to participate in a less volatile investment market. Overall, Lenme aims to create a more accessible and efficient lending ecosystem.

Innovakote specializes in recycling wasted powder coating into fresh powder through a proprietary process, thereby reducing waste and the carbon footprint of the powder coating supply chain. Founded in 2018 and based in Kent City, Michigan, the company offers services that enable clients to meet their customized needs without contributing to landfill waste. By utilizing advanced equipment and color technology, Innovakote not only addresses environmental concerns but also helps clients lower their overall costs.

Airspace Link, Inc. is a company that specializes in managing local airspace for drones through its enterprise software-as-a-service platform. Founded in 2018 and based in Plymouth, Michigan, the company offers a range of tools designed for various stakeholders. Its AirRegistry platform facilitates the approval of automated drone package deliveries, while AirInspect provides tools for inspecting and approving registered drone delivery sites. AirHub aids in the creation of a comprehensive drone delivery network by mapping flight corridors, no-fly zones, and delivery locations. Additionally, AirLink enables state and local governments to share their regulated airspace with drone delivery services. By digitizing local airspace, Airspace Link supports safe recreational and commercial drone operations, fostering innovation and empowerment among businesses and citizens.

Tennibot, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, specializes in developing a robotic tennis ball collector that enhances the playing experience for tennis players. This innovative device operates effectively on both clay and hard surfaces, utilizing computer vision and artificial intelligence to determine optimal moments and locations for collecting tennis balls. When the collector is full, it autonomously returns to its designated spot, significantly reducing the time and effort required by players, coaches, and tennis clubs to manage ball retrieval. By streamlining this aspect of the game, Tennibot enables users to concentrate more fully on their performance.

Tennibot, Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, specializes in developing a robotic tennis ball collector that enhances the playing experience for tennis players. This innovative device operates effectively on both clay and hard surfaces, utilizing computer vision and artificial intelligence to determine optimal moments and locations for collecting tennis balls. When the collector is full, it autonomously returns to its designated spot, significantly reducing the time and effort required by players, coaches, and tennis clubs to manage ball retrieval. By streamlining this aspect of the game, Tennibot enables users to concentrate more fully on their performance.

ToDooly is a social platform that connects community members with local students to assist with everyday tasks. Founded in 2017 and based in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, the platform allows users to hire students for simple outdoor jobs at a rate of $20 per hour, plus a $5 booking fee. The services offered focus on basic household tasks such as yard work and routine cleaning, but do not include specialized services that require professional expertise. By leveraging the availability of college students, ToDooly aims to make it easier for busy individuals to manage their to-do lists effectively.

Airspace Link, Inc. is a company that specializes in managing local airspace for drones through its enterprise software-as-a-service platform. Founded in 2018 and based in Plymouth, Michigan, the company offers a range of tools designed for various stakeholders. Its AirRegistry platform facilitates the approval of automated drone package deliveries, while AirInspect provides tools for inspecting and approving registered drone delivery sites. AirHub aids in the creation of a comprehensive drone delivery network by mapping flight corridors, no-fly zones, and delivery locations. Additionally, AirLink enables state and local governments to share their regulated airspace with drone delivery services. By digitizing local airspace, Airspace Link supports safe recreational and commercial drone operations, fostering innovation and empowerment among businesses and citizens.

AgHelp, Inc. is an online platform based in Belding, Michigan, founded in 2017, that addresses the labor shortage in agriculture by connecting employers with workers. The platform facilitates job listings for various agricultural positions, including permanent, seasonal, and skilled roles. In addition to job matching, AgHelp offers a range of support services, including migrant education programs, legal assistance, and job training initiatives. By leveraging technology, AgHelp enables agricultural employers to efficiently and cost-effectively reach available labor both locally and nationally, while also providing essential resources for workers and support agencies.

AgHelp, Inc. is an online platform based in Belding, Michigan, founded in 2017, that addresses the labor shortage in agriculture by connecting employers with workers. The platform facilitates job listings for various agricultural positions, including permanent, seasonal, and skilled roles. In addition to job matching, AgHelp offers a range of support services, including migrant education programs, legal assistance, and job training initiatives. By leveraging technology, AgHelp enables agricultural employers to efficiently and cost-effectively reach available labor both locally and nationally, while also providing essential resources for workers and support agencies.

EcoG GmbH specializes in designing and developing an Internet of Things (IoT) operating system tailored for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Fürth, Germany, with additional offices in Oslo and Detroit, EcoG provides a comprehensive starter kit that encompasses charging control, backend connectivity, payment solutions, and application components. The company’s platform facilitates the integration of IoT protocols and supports an open API architecture, allowing charger manufacturers to innovate and enhance their services similarly to app development. By connecting users, vehicles, and infrastructure, EcoG creates value-added services that help businesses differentiate themselves in the EV charging market. The company's offerings also enable a customized fast-charging experience and promote shared revenue streams for charger operators.

FreshCar operates a platform that offers car subscription services, enabling customers to access vehicles on a monthly basis without the traditional burdens of ownership such as down payments, insurance, or maintenance costs. The company specializes in advanced software solutions designed for vehicle subscriptions, which it provides to auto retailers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and fleet operators. This software allows auto dealerships to launch and manage their own car subscription offerings effectively. In addition to its software services, FreshCar also offers strategic consulting on subscription models to automotive companies. Founded in 2016 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, FreshCar was previously known as Carma Car Inc. before rebranding in April 2018.

Fathom Drones Inc is a company that specializes in the development of portable underwater drones designed for user-friendly operation via smart devices. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fathom aims to make underwater exploration accessible to a broader audience. Its flagship product, the Fathom One, enables users to explore underwater environments without the need to physically dive, thus providing an innovative solution for both recreational and professional applications. The company's focus on affordability and ease of use positions it as a leader in the emerging market of underwater drone technology.

SEEVA Technologies, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializes in manufacturing visibility systems for commercial and passenger vehicles. Founded in 2017, the company's core product, the QwikTherm system, employs advanced visibility technologies to heat and apply washer fluid, effectively clearing snow, ice, mud, sand, dirt, and bugs from vehicle surfaces such as windshields, cameras, sensors, and LED lights. This ensures optimal performance of autonomous vehicle systems and driver assistance features, enhancing safety and perception in real-world driving conditions.

EcoG GmbH specializes in designing and developing an Internet of Things (IoT) operating system tailored for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Fürth, Germany, with additional offices in Oslo and Detroit, EcoG provides a comprehensive starter kit that encompasses charging control, backend connectivity, payment solutions, and application components. The company’s platform facilitates the integration of IoT protocols and supports an open API architecture, allowing charger manufacturers to innovate and enhance their services similarly to app development. By connecting users, vehicles, and infrastructure, EcoG creates value-added services that help businesses differentiate themselves in the EV charging market. The company's offerings also enable a customized fast-charging experience and promote shared revenue streams for charger operators.

Fathom Drones Inc is a company that specializes in the development of portable underwater drones designed for user-friendly operation via smart devices. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Fathom aims to make underwater exploration accessible to a broader audience. Its flagship product, the Fathom One, enables users to explore underwater environments without the need to physically dive, thus providing an innovative solution for both recreational and professional applications. The company's focus on affordability and ease of use positions it as a leader in the emerging market of underwater drone technology.

SEEVA Technologies, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializes in manufacturing visibility systems for commercial and passenger vehicles. Founded in 2017, the company's core product, the QwikTherm system, employs advanced visibility technologies to heat and apply washer fluid, effectively clearing snow, ice, mud, sand, dirt, and bugs from vehicle surfaces such as windshields, cameras, sensors, and LED lights. This ensures optimal performance of autonomous vehicle systems and driver assistance features, enhancing safety and perception in real-world driving conditions.

Elegus Technologies, Inc. is a company focused on developing and commercializing advanced separator membranes made from nanoscale fibers for energy storage solutions. Based in Detroit, Michigan, and incorporated in 2014, the company addresses the increasing demand for higher energy densities in lithium-ion batteries, as well as in lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries. Elegus's innovative separator technology, which originated from extensive research at the University of Michigan, aims to enhance energy density while ensuring safety, effectively tackling issues such as dendrite growth and thickness constraints. As the battery industry evolves, Elegus Technologies seeks to provide high-performance separator materials that meet the challenges of various battery chemistries and applications.

SkySpecs, Inc. is a technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with an additional office in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that specializes in automating operations and maintenance for the wind energy industry through unmanned aerial vehicles. Founded in 2012, the company provides a range of services including analytics, wind turbine blade services, and engineering projects. Its offerings also encompass collaborative software solutions for managing and analyzing data from various sources, as well as digitization and planning for repair campaigns. Notably, SkySpecs has developed Horizon, a reporting software that serves as a central repository for operations and maintenance data related to wind turbine blades, facilitating task management, communication with third parties, and execution of large-scale repair projects. By leveraging its industry expertise and innovative technologies, SkySpecs aims to enhance productivity and efficiency for its clients within the renewable energy sector.

SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.

SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.

SpotHero Inc. is a leading provider of parking reservation services in North America, enabling drivers to easily locate and secure parking spots through its mobile application and website. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in Detroit and operations in Toronto, the company allows users to compare prices and reserve discounted parking in garages and lots. The SpotHero application connects various parking facilities, including garages and valet services, facilitating seamless data exchange and payment processing. By streamlining the parking experience, SpotHero aims to make urban areas more accessible and enhance connectivity for drivers.