A look back on this week’s economic development headlines, announcements, and other share-worthy news from the Ann Arbor region.
Business Growth in the Region
Seoul Robotics, a fast-growing LIDAR startup based in Korea, selected Ann Arbor as their N.A. headquarters, opening a small office on Boardwalk.
Smart Label Solutions, an RFID solutions provider, is expanding in Howell Township with help from the township on an expansion tax abatement.
Venture Capital and Startup Moves
- Michigan venture capital (VC) investments rise more than 50 percent to $771.6 million in 2019, shattering the previous record for VC investment. Related: from Axios, 1 big thing: Venture Capital seeps out of Silicon Valley.
- ID Ventures Partners with Google Developers Launchpad to Accelerate Michigan’s Tech Startups
- Desai applications are open.
- The “State of Startups” for 2019
Mobility News
Latest PlanetM Mobility Report includes updates on May Mobility, Refraction AI’s delivery bot, and more from around Michigan.
Ann Arbor was well represented at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. Komal Doshi, director of mobility programs at Ann Arbor SPARK, summarizes her observations and key takeaways. Related: PassiveBolt wins CES award.
Area Headlines
Cronicle Tech News profiles at Ann Arbor SPARK client’s Jottful and TechStak.
Ann Arbor-based TRUiC releases a series about starting a coffee shop, working with local companies like Roos Roast and the Brighton Coffee House. Check out the trailer here.
Google signs lease for the old Ann Arbor News printing in Pittsfield.
Beyond A2
If you have 15 minutes and want a deeper dive into the flex space and coworking market, check out Flex’ and It’s Future — CoreNet Global’s What’s Next Podcast. Related: Incubators, Accelerators, and Coworking spaces in the Ann Arbor Region
Silicon Valley’s Newest Rival: The Banks of the Hudson
