The federal government has awarded Michigan $7.5 million to test self-driving cars, including at Mcity and the American Center for Mobility. Read more about it at All About Ann Arbor or on SPARK’s blog.
Upcoming Events
Celebrate Invention, U-M’s Tech Transfer startup showcase is scheduled for October 22, 1-6 pm at the Michigan League. Register here if you’re interested in learning more.
The A2Y Chamber is hosting an event called Our Mobility Future: Our Coming Framework on September 23, featuring Buztel’s Jennifer Dukarski and others. The event will highlight the new mobility regulatory landscape and all the changes afoot in the industry. They’re hosting the event at Honda’s Mobility Collaboration Garage, which we welcomed to Ann Arbor earlier this year. Register here.
Regional News to Know
The Lake Trust Foundation awarded scholarships this week, including two to students at Washtenaw Community College as they pursue technical or skilled trades career training.
Concentrate checks in on LLamasoft’s growth, which we helped support earlier this summer with our partners at MEDC. Be sure to check out their open positions and send resumes their way! LLamasoft to add more than 100 jobs, redevelop headquarters, continue humanitarian work this year
Rivian takes on $350 million in additional investment.
Brian Kelly reflects on going from a job seeker to co-founder in Ann Arbor.
Cahoots opens its event space by hosting its first Meetup this week. We’re bringing Tech Homecoming to the Cahoots event space this year!
Mcity and Verizon announced 5G capabilities now available.
The Cronicle checks in with Jim Price of Ross.
Brian Hayden, the founder of ShapeLog, launches a new podcast called Finding Your Venture. Find episodes here, including chats with plenty of names you’ll recognize.
New angel group starts in Muskegon. “According to a report by Ann Arbor SPARK, which is active in angel investing through its Michigan Angel Fund, there were 859 angel investors who invested $52 million in 84 companies last year.”
Governor Whitmer appoints new members to the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board, which is the primary board for the MEDC. New members include SPARK-alum Brit Affolter-Caine, Charlie Rothstein of Beringea, and Susan Tellier, the head of JetCo Solutions.
