Press

This is an article about portfolio company, SpellBound.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, SpellBound founder and CEO Christina York was concerned that her company might not survive. Ann Arbor-based SpellBound creates interactive augmented reality experiences, delivered via mobile device, to distract and motivate young patients in health care settings. York knew her health care industry clients had to focus on combating the virus, but she and her team found a new need for SpellBound’s technology: helping pediatric patients in recovery and isolation.

View source version on secondwavemedia.com: https://www.secondwavemedia.com/concentrate/features/spellbound0573.aspx

TEPCO will deliver SkySpecs’ autonomous drone inspections, blade asset management software, and predictive maintenance planning to the Japanese wind market

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SkySpecs, leading provider of Operations & Maintenance solutions for the wind energy industry, today announces a signed partnership agreement with TEPCO Ventures, to deliver SkySpecs’ solutions to the Japanese wind energy market.

“We are excited to be partnering with TEPCO and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship. Japan is expected to account for over 60% of the world’s offshore capacity by 2050, so the timing couldn’t be better,” said Danny Ellis, CEO of SkySpecs.

Lowering costs and using data to drive profitability for the wind industry is one of SkySpecs’ primary missions.

SkySpecs provides condition-monitoring for wind turbines, using its fully automated robotic solution, in 26 countries around the world. SkySpecs has conducted over 50,000 wind turbine inspections to date. Horizon, the software platform developed to monitor, analyze and make asset management decisions is one of its flagship solutions, relied on by many of the largest asset owners in the world.

TEPCO Ventures promotes global initiatives with an international team of partners to combine innovative ideas, cutting edge technology,

This is an article about portfolio company, DNASTAR®

DNASTAR® has announced the integration of the Mastermind database from Genomenon into the Lasergene Genomics software with the release of Lasergene® 17.2.

With this integration, Lasergene users can now search and cross-reference NGS variant data from millions of PubMed publications. This searching and filtering capability is complemented by DNASTAR’s robust visualization and analysis tools for resequencing and human variant detection. Mastermind literature citations are included in the DNASTAR Variant Annotation Database and are available with every Lasergene Genomics license.

View source version on selectscience.net: https://www.selectscience.net/product-news/dnastar-integrates-genomenon-mastermind-database-for-human-variant-analysis/?&artID=53220

This is an article about portfolio company, Genomenon.

Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse stories with the mission to inspire kids and youth around the world to become empathetic entrepreneurs. This series features interviews with founders working on SDG 3 – Good Health & Wellbeing by a character named Spiffy. Health is on a lot of our minds these days, so let’s see what’s being done!

Hi everyone! What a weekend! I’m Spiffy, the interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth. It’s great to be back interviewing entrepreneurs making a difference in healthcare for all of us around the world. Today it is my privilege to talk to Mike Klein from Genomenon.

View source version on nasdaq.com: https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/mike-klein%3A-using-ai-and-dna-to-diagnose-and-treat-rare-diseases-2020-11-11

This is an article about portfolio company, Shoulder Innovations.

HOLLAND — Raising nearly $21.6 million gives Shoulder Innovations Inc. the capital needed to scale up operations and bring new products to market.

The Holland-based company — which developed a new generation orthopedic shoulder implant — raised the Series C capital round from 24 investors. They include mostly existing shareholders as well as two California-based venture firms U.S. Venture Partners and Lightstone Ventures, which co-led the round and invested in Shoulder Innovations for the first time.

View source version on mibiz.com: https://mibiz.com/sections/health-care/holland-medical-device-developer-raises-more-than-21m-in-capital-round

Study shows significant cognitive improvement in domains related to language and caregivers reported improved language and daily functioning 

Lead drug candidate continues to be safe and well-tolerated

Grand Rapids, MI, November 2, 2020 (Business Wire) – Tetra Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shionogi & Co. Ltd.,  today announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 exploratory study in adult patients with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS).  The study evaluated its lead candidate, BPN14770, a first-in-class phosphodiesterase‐4D (PDE4D) allosteric inhibitor. In this single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study, BPN14770 demonstrated excellent safety as well as benefits on cognitive function and behavior in 30 patients with FXS. 

BPN14770 is a novel therapeutic agent that selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase‐4D (PDE4D). In preclinical studies, BPN14770  promoted the maturation of connections between neurons, which is impaired in patients with FXS, the most common genetic form of Autism.

“We are very excited about the results of this study,” said Mark Gurney PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tetra. “In addition to being safe and well-tolerated, treatment with BPN14770 led to significant cognitive improvement, specifically in the language domains, and we also saw a clinically meaningful benefit in overall daily functioning. These findings validate our approach to treating this dise

When it comes to credit cards and banks, consumers are spoiled for choice—in fact, there are so many options it can be difficult to know where to start. Finding the financial institution or product that matches your unique needs can make a big difference in saving—and earning—you money, so it pays to do some homework when it’s time to set up a bank account or choose a credit card.

View source version on forbescom: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2020/11/02/10-pro-tips-to-find-the-credit-or-banking-solution-for-your-needs/

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Movellus announced today it has joined the GLOBALFOUNDRIES® (GF®) GLOBALSOLUTIONS® ecosystem program. Movellus’ fully synthesizable and quickly customizable PLLs/DLLs are available to GF customers around the world with the goal of further enabling their designs and ultimately reducing their time-to-market.

GF, the world’s leading specialty foundry, provides differentiated feature-rich solutions that enable customers to develop innovative products for high-growth market segments including IoT, 5G, AI, automotive, and satellite communications.

Movellus’ technology is well-suited for GF’s customers based on the ability to customize its PLLs, DLLs, and clocking solutions for specific applications and processes – including specialty process nodes.

Movellus already has multiple customers with designs built on GF’s high-performance, ultra-low power 22FDX® platform, as well as GF’s 12LP (12nm FinFET) platform with the optional feature of radiation-hardened clocks for aerospace applications.

“New markets, such as IoT and sensors, are creating a demand for unique technologies and GLOBALFOUNDRIES is meeting that need. We are seeing high demand for GF’s 12LP+ solution — in particular, for AI chips,” said Mo Faisal, President and CEO of Movellus. “Further, GLOBALFOUNDRIES has been a fantastic partner, with an open, flexible partnership program.”

About GLOBALFOUNDRIES® GLOBALSOLUT

This is an article about portfolio company, Shoulder Innovations.

HOLLAND, Mich., Nov. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Shoulder Innovations (SI), an emerging leader in the development of shoulder replacement systems, announced today that it has closed an oversubscribed $21.6 million equity financing. The fundraising, led by US Venture Partners together with Lightstone Ventures, also included participation by Alumni Venture Partners, Wakestream Ventures, Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center of Western Michigan University, Invest Michigan, and the Michigan Angel Fund, among others.

View source version on djournal.com: https://www.djournal.com/shoulder-innovations-announces-equity-financing-of-21-6m/article_d9da52f7-edd6-503b-85b7-fa2eafd6e838.html

HOLLAND, Mich., November 2, 2020 – Shoulder Innovations (SI), an emerging leader in the development of shoulder replacement systems, announced today that it has closed an oversubscribed $21.6 million equity financing.

The fundraising, led by US Venture Partners together with Lightstone Ventures, also included participation by Alumni Venture Partners, Wakestream Ventures, Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center of Western Michigan University, Invest Michigan, and the Michigan Angel Fund, among others.

Founded in 2009 by Stephen B. Gunther, MD, and Mike DeVries of EDF Ventures, Shoulder Innovations set out to develop a glenoid technology fixation solution for anatomic shoulder arthroplasty. For the five years that followed, Shoulder Innovations successfully secured meaningful issued patents, 510k clearance for the novel technology, and provided evidence to the surgical community through publication of multiple peer-reviewed publications. In 2015, Genesis Innovation Group (Genesis) partnered with Shoulder Innovations to provide financial capital and operational leadership focused on commercializing the technology. The following year, Shoulder Innovations was able to report its first commercial sale of the InSetTM glenoid. Continued investment led by Genesis and its cultivate(MD) Capital Funds, together with leadership f

This is an article about portfolio company, MaxOne.

By Joe Lemire
September 17, 2020

The youth sports management platform SportsEngine will integrate virtual coaching platform MaxOne into its registration and rostering system and offer a three-month free trial to all of its customers.

SportsEngine, which NBC Sports Group acquired in 2016, has 16 million users and 50,000 youth sports organizations among its clients.

View the source version at SportTechie: https://www.sporttechie.com/sportsengine-adds-virtual-coaching-platform-maxone

October 14, 2020 02:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund (A2EF) supports entrepreneurs and investors by connecting them with their peers and the community and provides a platform for them to give back to Washtenaw County through equity donations. A2EF is excited to recognize the leadership and generosity of Jen Baird, Kathleen Craig, Marianna Kerppola and Evan Ufer, in pledging 1% of their equity to the A2EF endowment fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

“It is critical that the local venture capital ecosystem participates in this growing culture of giving - especially in 2020 - and what a fantastic opportunity to do so by partnering with Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and the leaders across both organizations.”

“Poisera’s mission is to ensure no mother feels alone. And in many ways, A2EF provides that support and security for entrepreneurs by creating a supportive community,” said Marianna Kerppola, founder and CEO of Poisera.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/

The Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM) and Genomenon, Inc. today announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the diagnosis of critically-ill newborns with rare genetic disorders. The collaboration combines the Institute’s genomic research expertise with Genomenon’s Mastermind Genomic Search Engine to advance precision medicine for infants in an intensive care setting.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Movellus announced today that Everactive has adopted Movellus’ ultra-low power clocking solution for its batteryless Machine Health Monitoring (MHM) IoT product. Everactive’s core SoC is clocked by Movellus ultra low power PLL.

Everactive MHM’s core SoC is clocked by Movellus’ 700-nanowatt phase-locked loop (PLL) IP. Everactive is also using Movellus PLLs in multiple next generations of their SoCs.

“Movellus’ clocking solution had the smallest area for the frequency and process combination – no other vendor came close,” said Dr. Nathan Roberts, Vice President of Engineering at Everactive. “Their unique synthesizable technology enabled them to deliver a clocking solution that runs near threshold and eliminates the additional complexity for special power supplies that is typical for traditional analog approaches.”

“Everactive is the technology leader in low power, energy harvesting, IIoT silicon,” said Mo Faisal, President and CEO of Movellus. “Their MHM is paving the way for unprecedented insights into industrial maintenance, and we’re glad to have contributed to their success.”

About Movellus’ Product Portfolio

Movellus’ Application-Optimized™ PLLs, DLLs, and Intelligent Clock Distribution Networks enhance high performance SoCs – optimizing the power, performance, and area of the entire SoC by at least 10%. Movellus products include core application-op

This is a video about portfolio company, Bloomscape.

Yahoo Finance Video
October 6, 2020

Bloomscape CEO Justin Mast joins Yahoo Finance’s On The Move panel to discuss the surge in plant purchases amid the pandemic.

Video Transcript

ADAM SHAPIRO: A lot of people as lockdowns were taking place went and got pets, but you don’t have to walk a houseplant. So let’s bring back to the stream Justin Mast. He is the CEO of Bloomscape, which is revolutionizing the way that a lot of us get houseplants. It’s good to have you back, Justin.

View video and transcript source version at Yahoo News: https://news.yahoo.com/plant-purchases-rise-drastically-amid-170454333.html

This is a podcast about portfolio company, Bloomscape.

By Pierre Bienaimé
October 1, 2020

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Play | Spotify | RSS

Some DTC founders pick a sector just because they spy an opportunity. Bloomscape founder Justin Mast said did that too with his direct-to-consumer plant company, Bloomscape, that he founded in 2018. But he had a bit of a leg up, as he’s also a fifth-generation greenhouse grower. His parents met in a greenhouse, in fact.

View and Listen to the Podcast at the source, ModernRetail: https://www.modernretail.co/retailers/bloomscape-founder-justin-mast-shipping-living-things-acquired-plant-care-app-vera-series-b/

This is an article about portfolio company, Bloomscape.

Sarah Perez@sarahintampa
September 30, 2020

If you thought to invest in more plants or started growing a small garden during 2020’s coronavirus lockdowns, you weren’t alone. According to Bloomscape, a company that ships live plants straight from greenhouses to customers’ homes, a number of people become interested in plants this year, increasing demand for its already growing service. Today, Bloomscape  announced it’s expanding its business with the addition of $15 million in Series B funding as well as the acquisition of plant care app Vera.

View source version at TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/30/online-garden-shop-bloomscape-raises-15m-series-b-acquires-plant-care-app-vera/