Press

This is an article about portfolio company, Bloomscape.

Consumer Reports checked out a few online retailers to help you pick the right plants for your green space.

ST. LOUIS — A little green goes a long way. At least that’s what scientists say about the power of plants and your mental health.

Spending just 20 to 30 minutes a day in a green space is all you need to reap the mood-boosting benefits plants can provide. And now it’s easier than ever to shop online and have plants delivered to your doorstep. 

View source version on ksdk.com: https://www.ksdk.com/article/money/consumer/buying-plants-online/63-5e41744f-89d3-47b2-844a-5b82b2e192d3

This is an article about portfolio company, Refraction AI.

I spoke to Refraction AI co-founder/CTO Matthew Johnson-Roberson on the occasion of the Michigan startup’s $4.2 million seed raise. This week we posted a Q&A where he answers a wider range of topics about the delivery robotics company, and this bit jumped out at me:

It still boggles my mind that nobody has tried to copy what we’re doing. There were 10 or 12 sidewalk robot companies in early 2015, 2016 and 2017. Many of them, with a few exceptions, went out of business.

View source version on techcrunch.com: https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/17/robotics-roundup-16/

This is an article about portfolio company, Refraction AI.

Three-wheeled self-driving robots set to launch in three Austin neighborhoods. Pizza lovers in certain areas of Austin, Texas, can now have their pies delivered via robot. The REV-1 robot is the product of Refraction AI, an Ann Arbor, Mich., autonomous vehicle startup.

View source version on autonews.com: https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/av-startup-refraction-ais-driverless-robots-deliver-pizza-texas

Partnership with ADHD Online Allows for The Expansion of Services and Business Ventures

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ADHD Online, a leading telehealth company for ADHD, today announced a partnership with investment companies Invest Michigan and Michigan Capital Network. The financial investments from the association will expand ADHD Online’s profile to a national level while building the State of Michigan business ecosystem.

Michigan Capital Network’s CEO and Managing Director Paul D’Amato explained, “I believe the ADHD Online co-founders, Zach Booker and Dr. Randall Duthler, are breaking new ground with their telehealth technology. COVID-19 taught us all that we had to reset our thinking and expectations of interacting with others. And in the case of patient care, online interactions not only proved to be useful but now can be considered part of the norm.”

Invest Michigan and Michigan Capital Network, which both fund innovative technologies, are committed to improving the mental health of Michiganders and communities across the United States. ADHD Online uses an innovative approach in the fight for ADHD to make the diagnosis and treatment accessible and affordable. ADHD Online provides a dynamic assessment tool to help determine if you have ADHD. In addition, ADHD Online provides an asynchronous assessment platform for diagnosing ADHD and video visits with physicians and nurse practitioners to treat ADHD. Both investment firms see an

This is an article about portfolio company, Refraction AI.

Refraction AI calls itself the Goldilocks of robotic delivery. The Ann Arbor-based company, which recently raised a $4.2 million seed round and expanded operations to Austin, was founded by two University of Michigan professors who think delivery via full-size autonomous vehicles (AV) is not nearly as close as many promise and sidewalk delivery comes with too many hassles and not enough payoff. Their “just right” solution? Find a middle path, or rather, a bike path.

View source version on techcrunch.com: https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/15/refraction-ais-matthew-johnson-roberson-on-finding-the-middle-path-to-robotic-delivery/

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (PRWEB) JUNE 01, 2021

West Community Credit Union, based in O’Fallon, Mo., announced today that it is expanding its relationship with HT Mobile Apps (HTMA) to offer the company’s digital solution Hip Pocket™ in addition to Plinqit.

Hip Pocket is a platform that engages mobile and website visitors by using social influence and personalized consultation to help people determine whether they may save money refinancing their mortgage. Hip Pocket can help members save money by comparing their current mortgage rate to individual peer rates. Members may then discuss with West Community Credit Union’s mortgage team options that may improve their financial status. This digital comparison tool not only determines prospective savings but also assists both the member and credit union in developing a meaningful discussion of mortgage goals and financing options.

“Launching Hip Pocket is a logical next step in our relationship with HT Mobile Apps,” said Jason Peach, president and chief executive officer of West Community Credit Union. “Hip Pocket allows us to support our members when they are making important decisions. We can help members to see how their current home loan compares to others and if we can find a better rate or term that fits their budget.”

“Hip Pocket provides credit unions with an

Refraction AI’s REV-1 robots will deliver Southside Flying Pizza orders throughout downtown, Travis Heights, and South Congress

This is an article about portfolio company, Refraction AI.

Delivery robots are coming to Austin. Food delivery service company Refraction AI’s REV-1 robots — small electric-run machines that operate autonomously — are delivering orders from local pizzeria mini-chain Southside Flying Pizza throughout downtown Austin, Travis Heights, and along South Congress Avenue as of today, June 14.

View source version on austin.eater.com: https://austin.eater.com/2021/6/14/22533264/robot-delivery-service-austin-refraction-ai-rev-1-southside-flying-pizza

This is an article about portfolio company, Refraction AI.

The testing comes after a city council resolution passed a few years ago asking City staff to explore robotic delivery models.

AUSTIN, Texas — Don’t worry, robots are not invading South Congress Avenue – at least not yet!

On Monday, the Austin Transportation Department said crews were out testing a fleet of 10 personal delivery devices throughout the district and surrounding neighborhoods to assist with “last-mile deliveries.”

The department said the three-wheeled devices are owned and operated by a private company called Refraction AI. This company launched a similar service in Michigan in 2019.

View source version on kvue.com: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-transportation-department-testing-delivery-bots-on-south-congress/269-f93707d6-a746-425a-98ff-2c41ce796905

This is an article about portfolio company, GreenMark Biomedical.

East Lansing-based GreenMark Biomedical Inc. is an entrepreneurial instance of how “it takes a village.”

The corporate, which obtained approval from the Meals and Drug Administration in March for dentists to make use of its oral rinse made with starch nanoparticles to detect tooth decay a lot sooner than beforehand attainable, has raised or gained greater than $6 million in funding from massive grants and all kinds of angel and institutional traders across the state, together with three seed funds financed by the Michigan Financial Growth Corp.

View source version on crainsdetroit.com: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/crains-michigan-business/greenmark-biomedicals-nanoparticle-technology-could-change-game-tooth

This is an article about portfolio company, Genomenon.

What was the Michigan Pre-Seed Fund III, an East Lansing fund created to invest in start-up and very early stage companies, doing investing in Genomenon Inc., a 6-year-old Ann Arbor company that had previously raised almost $5 million in equity funding and received nearly $2 million in three grants from the National Institutes of Health?

View source version on crainsdetroit.com: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/crains-michigan-business/unlikely-msu-connected-investments-help-um-spinoff-genomenon-get-past

SaaS Providers to Accelerate Autobooks Solution Deployment for Finxact Clients

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Finxact, the leading provider of next gen core systems to the US regional and super-regional banking sector, today announced that Autobooks has joined its Marketplace and that the companies will accelerate the path for banks running the Finxact core to deploy the Autobooks all-in-one small business account receivables product suite.

Small businesses are a critical part of the economy, employing nearly half of the private workforce in the U.S. and accounting for a staggering 99.9% of all businesses in the country as of 2020. Reaching the SMB, family owned, and sole proprietor bank customer segments with business banking tools that allow them to digitally manage their receivables from invoicing to payment acceptance to cash management has become a priority for financial institutions.

A war for merchants1 is being waged online by big tech providers, well beyond ecommerce and payments, battling for the entire small business relationship. Autobooks aims to help financial institutions better compete, by embedding essential back-office services that help customers manage and run their business - all within internet and mobile banking.  

“The team at Autobooks is doing important work and the company is fast becoming

This is an article about portfolio company, SkySpecs.

ANN ARBOR, MI— A historic site that formerly housed the Ann Arbor Music Center is being leased to a local energy data company.

The site at 312 S. Ashley St., was rehabilitated and is set to be ready by the end of the month after a year of renovations. Its new occupant, Ann Arbor-based SkySpecs, is planning to move in some time in July, officials said.

View source version on mlive.com: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2021/06/ann-arbor-historic-site-will-house-locally-based-tech-company.html

This is an article about portfolio company, Genomenon.

NEW YORK – Genomenon said Tuesday that it has partnered with German bioinformatics startup Nostos Genomics to integrate its Mastermind genomic search engine into the Nostos AIon AI-driven variant interpretation platform.

According to Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Genomenon, this integration will allow AIon users to preview lists of published articles related to their searches from within the AIon interface. This, the companies said, will help improve diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.

View source version on genomeweb.com: https://www.genomeweb.com/business-news/genomenon-nostos-genomics-integrate-technologies-improve-rare-disease-dx#.YO9ZmpNKhpQ

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (PRWEB) APRIL 07, 2021

Ripple Science is being recognized as one of the 2021 awardees for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Ripple Science will be honored at an awards ceremony during the 17th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business gala event, July 20.

Ripple Science is an emerging innovative Saas and fast growing eClinical company dedicated to accelerating clinical trials through improved patient recruitment and retention. By adapting marketing and sales automation techniques to patient engagement Ripple speeds the enrollment process while reducing participant drop out rates. With consistently ever-growing communication tools and collaboration features, users are given the opportunity to upgrade functionalities at any time. Ripple’s research site teams achieve on average >96 percent patient retention.

“It’s a real honor to be recognized by the Michigan business community following a very competitive review. The team and our investors remain focused on building value, delighting our customers, and contributing to the economy in Michigan,” commented Peter Falzon, Ripple Science President and CEO.

This year’s Michigan 50 Companies to Watch have made a substantial economic impact, totaling $365 million in total annual revenue for 2019. From 2016 through 2019,

This is an article about portfolio company, Autobooks

Less than half (47%) of U.S. based small businesses believe their primary financial institution understands their needs. This general dissatisfaction is allowing new digital challengers to thrive. Companies like Square, Shopify, and Intuit are capitalizing on serving SMBs with digital products and services more closely aligned to their needs. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. Despite many challenges, financial institutions can become well positioned to attract and service small businesses — more effectively than any fintech challenger actually can.

View source version on tearsheet.com: https://tearsheet.co/sponsored/report-building-a-winning-small-business-bank/

This is an article about portfolio company, Shoulder Innovations

GRAND RAPIDS — A venture capital firm that invests in medical device technologies wants to raise $30 million for a new fund to support portfolio companies progressing with commercializing their innovations.

Grand Rapids-based Genesis Innovation Group LLC’s Cultivate(MD) Capital Accelerator Fund GP LLC has so far raised $7.75 million from 44 investors toward a $30 million goal, according to a May 5 regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

View source version on mibiz.com: https://mibiz.com/sections/finance/new-30m-vc-fund-aims-to-get-medical-devices-to-market