INSIDER
Company that made millions of defective sleep apnea machines ordered to overhaul manufacturing
Read full article: Company that made millions of defective sleep apnea machines ordered to overhaul manufacturingThe company responsible for a global recall of sleep apnea machines is now legally barred from resuming production at U.S. facilities until it meets a number of safety requirements.
State Farm discontinuing 72,000 home policies in California in latest blow to state insurance market
Read full article: State Farm discontinuing 72,000 home policies in California in latest blow to state insurance marketInsurance giant State Farm says it will discontinue coverage for 72,000 houses and apartments in California starting this summer.
Ford earnings fall short of estimates after it strikes a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers
Read full article: Ford earnings fall short of estimates after it strikes a tentative deal with the United Auto WorkersFord has reported significant growth in the third quarter, although its financial results fell short of Wall Street estimates.
🔒 Enter to win 4 tickets to Company the smash hit musical comedy at the Fisher Theatre October 17 – 29!
Read full article: 🔒 Enter to win 4 tickets to Company the smash hit musical comedy at the Fisher Theatre October 17 – 29!Insiders can enter to win four tickets to Company, the smash hit musical comedy, at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit this fall!
Top lawyer at Fox Corp. to step down after overseeing $787M settlement in Dominion defamation case
Read full article: Top lawyer at Fox Corp. to step down after overseeing $787M settlement in Dominion defamation caseThe chief legal officer at Fox Corp. who oversaw a $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation allegations against Fox News is leaving the company.
‘Tattleware’ software tracks productivity from employees working remote on company devices globally
Read full article: ‘Tattleware’ software tracks productivity from employees working remote on company devices globallyIf you are still able to keep working from home, your company might be using new tools to ensure you are staying productive.
Ann Arbor software company taking applications for $10K fellowship for local BIPOC high schoolers
Read full article: Ann Arbor software company taking applications for $10K fellowship for local BIPOC high schoolersThe Atomic Object fellowship is designed to help BIPOC students advance their education and careers in computer science.
Ann Arbor SPARK brings job seekers and employers together with Tech Homecoming event
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK brings job seekers and employers together with Tech Homecoming eventAnn Arbor SPARK’s annual Tech Homecoming event returns this year to connect growing companies with job seekers.
Pet Supplies Plus float to make its debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White
Read full article: Pet Supplies Plus float to make its debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner WhiteSeveral new floats will be introduced at the America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White, and one of them is really standing out.
Jottful wins $100,000 Ann Arbor SPARK Invest360 Award
Read full article: Jottful wins $100,000 Ann Arbor SPARK Invest360 AwardAnn Arbor SPARK awarded $200,000 to startups during Invest360, a pitch competition that recognizes promising emerging companies in the mobility, healthcare, and information technology sectors.
Denovo Fertility wins $25,000 Ann Arbor SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp celebration prize
Read full article: Denovo Fertility wins $25,000 Ann Arbor SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp celebration prizeDenovo Fertility was the Best of Boot Camp winner at Ann Arbor SPARK's 2022 Entrepreneur Boot Camp Celebration.
Ann Arbor SPARK presents FastTrack Awards to 22 organizations with impressive growth records
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK presents FastTrack Awards to 22 organizations with impressive growth recordsThe 24th annual FastTrack Awards concluded the first day of a2Tech360 by highlighting some of the Ann Arbor area’s fastest-growing “gazelles.”
Visa's 2Q profits jump 21% as pandemic eases across globe
Read full article: Visa's 2Q profits jump 21% as pandemic eases across globePayment processing giant Visa’s profits rose 21% in the first three months of the year fueled by a large jump in spending on the company’s namesake credit and debit card network.
Michigan Opera Theatre changing name to mark return to Detroit Opera House
Read full article: Michigan Opera Theatre changing name to mark return to Detroit Opera HouseAfter more than 50 years under the name Michigan Opera Theatre, a new name will follow the company’s return to the Detroit Opera House.
Days before his death, video captured Stephen Sondheim seeing revival of ‘Company’ on Broadway
Read full article: Days before his death, video captured Stephen Sondheim seeing revival of ‘Company’ on BroadwayIt’s still hard to believe for fans of musical theater, but Broadway icon and legend Stephen Sondheim passed away over the weekend at the age of 91.
Ann Arbor SPARK’s FastTrack Awards honor 18 companies for significant, consistent growth
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK’s FastTrack Awards honor 18 companies for significant, consistent growthAnn Arbor SPARK presented its 23nd annual FastTrack Awards to 18 companies located in Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
Ann Arbor SPARK launches new ACE event series to provide small business education, networking
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK launches new ACE event series to provide small business education, networkingNew program designed to help small business owners learn new skills and reinforce best business practices by learning from subject matter experts in finance, sales, marketing and accounting.
Ann Arbor SPARK launches new ACE event series to provide small business education, networking
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK launches new ACE event series to provide small business education, networkingNew program designed to help small business owners learn new skills and reinforce best business practices by learning from subject matter experts in finance, sales, marketing and accounting.
Seniors in Metro Detroit celebrate historic spaceflight
Read full article: Seniors in Metro Detroit celebrate historic spaceflightJeff Bezos blasted into space Tuesday on his rocket company’s first flight with people on board, becoming the second billionaire in just over a week to ride his own spacecraft.
Ann Arbor SPARK reports business growth, results of COVID-related grant activity at Annual Meeting
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK reports business growth, results of COVID-related grant activity at Annual MeetingAt its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK honored leading regional businesses and released its annual report.
Ann Arbor SPARK reports business growth, results of COVID-related grant activity at Annual Meeting
Read full article: Ann Arbor SPARK reports business growth, results of COVID-related grant activity at Annual MeetingAt its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK honored leading regional businesses and released its annual report.
How an Ann Arbor company has maintained office culture while working remotely during pandemic
Read full article: How an Ann Arbor company has maintained office culture while working remotely during pandemicHR Business Partner at Oxford Companies shares how the company pivoted to engage employees working remotely during the pandemic.
How an Ann Arbor company has maintained office culture while working remotely during pandemic
Read full article: How an Ann Arbor company has maintained office culture while working remotely during pandemicHR Business Partner at Oxford Companies shares how the company pivoted to engage employees working remotely during the pandemic.
Business expansions bring high-wage jobs, new investments to Ann Arbor region
Read full article: Business expansions bring high-wage jobs, new investments to Ann Arbor regionTwo projects building on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Back to Work Michigan plan expected to generate total private investment of $27.2 million, create 279 jobs.
Business expansions bring high-wage jobs, new investments to Ann Arbor region
Read full article: Business expansions bring high-wage jobs, new investments to Ann Arbor regionTwo projects building on Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Back to Work Michigan plan expected to generate total private investment of $27.2 million, create 279 jobs.
Jeep omits Upper Peninsula in Super Bowl LV ad with Bruce Springsteen
Read full article: Jeep omits Upper Peninsula in Super Bowl LV ad with Bruce SpringsteenDETROIT – We’re not sure why this keeps happening to the Upper Peninsula, but another giant company has decided to erase its existence. Jeep’s Super Bowl LV spot, featuring Bruce Springsteen, features a map of the U.S. at the end of the commercial -- but it was missing the Upper Peninsula. Jeep is headquartered in *checks notes* Auburn Hills. The commercial was about finding “the middle,” and uniting the country -- but it’s hard to believe the message when Jeep decided to cut out an entire portion of a state. More: A look at the commercials of Super Bowl LV
McKinsey agrees to pay nearly $600M over opioid crisis
Read full article: McKinsey agrees to pay nearly $600M over opioid crisisThe global business consulting firm McKinsey & Company has agreed to a $573 million settlement over its role in the opioid crisis, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company agreed to pay nearly $600 million for its role in advising businesses on how to sell more prescription opioid painkillers amid a nationwide overdose crisis. Washington's attorney general announced a separate $13.5 million deal and West Virginia announced a $10 million settlement with the New York-based company. On a video call with journalists Thursday, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said that McKinsey worked for Purdue for 15 years. AdIn a statement, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said that McKinsey would pay out more than it made advising companies on opioid sales.
Michigan’s first certified organic cannabis company opens shop in Ann Arbor
Read full article: Michigan’s first certified organic cannabis company opens shop in Ann ArborANN ARBOR – In a town dense with cannabis dispensaries, it can be difficult to navigate the wide selection. But the newly-opened Apothecare Ann Arbor hopes to stand out from the crowd. It is Michigan’s first organic cannabis company, certified by Certified Kind, featuring 100% organic cannabis flower, concentrates and edibles. (Shanley Pearl)“We are pleased and proud to finally debut our store and to showcase our unique organic cannabis products,” co-owner Jack Edelstein said in a news release. Apothecare Ann Arbor features individual consultation stations.
Ann Arbor staffing agency hosting food drive through Feb. 3
Read full article: Ann Arbor staffing agency hosting food drive through Feb. 3SAN MATEO, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Donated canned foods sit in a bin at San Mateo High School on November 29, 2017 in San Mateo, California. San Mateo High School students are counting thousands of cans of food and donated packaged food items for their annual food drive. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR – As the Big Game approaches, Express Employment Professionals of Ann Arbor is holding a “Souper Bowl Drive” to tackle hunger in the local community. Now through Feb. 3, Express Ann Arbor will be collecting canned goods to donate to Food Gatherers. Since 2014, Express Ann Arbor has employed more than 35,000 people.
How an Ann Arbor company became a leading COVID testing lab in Michigan
Read full article: How an Ann Arbor company became a leading COVID testing lab in MichiganA QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System at LynxDx's headquarters in Ann Arbor. “We did -- and continue to do -- all of their screening and asymptomatic testing.”LynxDx also does testing for St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital. As of Jan. 20, the company is the second leading lab for COVID testing in Michigan, following Curative DC, according to MDHHS. Drive-thru testing in Ann ArborIn mid-November, LynxDx opened a drive-thru testing site in Ann Arbor in the parking lot of 2|42 Community Church at 648 S. Wagner Rd. in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor’s PassiveBolt Inc named CES Innovation Awards Honoree for second consecutive year
Read full article: Ann Arbor’s PassiveBolt Inc named CES Innovation Awards Honoree for second consecutive yearANN ARBOR – PassiveBolt Inc. announced Monday it has been named a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree for the second year in a row for its newest Shepherd Lock product. The world’s most influential technology event, CES 2021 is taking place for the first time digitally now through Jan. 14. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Assiciation, the annual CES Innovation Awards program is a competition which recognizes groundbreaking consumer technologies across 28 product categories. PassiveBolt’s Shepherd Lock Gen2 is a home lock which features keyless entry technology and provides access based on facial recognition and touch. “We are thrilled to win this highly prestigious award two years in a row,” Kabir Maiga, PassiveBolt co-founder said in a news release.
Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPO
Read full article: Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPOAirbnb hopes to raise as much as $2.6 billion in its initial public stock offering this month, betting investors will see its home-sharing model as the future of travel. It’s a remarkable comeback for the company that delayed its IPO when the coronavirus pandemic crippled global travel in the spring. Airbnb has more than 7 million listings on its platform, run by 4 million hosts worldwide. But Airbnb has recovered more quickly than traditional hotels as travelers seek whole homes in rural areas far from crowds. Airbnb said it also expects more business people will book vacation rentals, since many can now work from home.
Ann Arbor’s Llamasoft acquired by Coupa Software for $1.5B
Read full article: Ann Arbor’s Llamasoft acquired by Coupa Software for $1.5BANN ARBOR – California-based Coupa Software announced Monday that it has acquired AI supply chain company Llamasoft for approximately $1.5 billion. Llamasoft’s AI-powered cloud platform helps companies make quick, informed supply chain decisions. Now more than ever, supply chain agility remains critical as economic conditions, consumer preferences and the political landscape continue to change amid the global pandemic. At the beginning of the year, Llamasoft launched its newest product llama.ai, which helps bring forward valuable insights via proven supply chain algorithms. “We are very excited about joining forces with Coupa,” Razat Gaurav, CEO at LLamasoft said in a news release.
Another restaurant chain, Friendly's, stumbles in pandemic
Read full article: Another restaurant chain, Friendly's, stumbles in pandemic– Friendly's Restaurants, an East Coast dining chain known for its sundaes, is filing for bankruptcy protection. The company, which runs the restaurants under the parent company FIC Restaurants Inc., will sell substantially all of its assets to the restaurant company, Amici Partners Group. All 130 of its locations will remain open while in restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company said late Sunday. At least 10 chains have filed for bankruptcy protection since the pandemic began this year. But Friendly's Restaurants, like most other chains that have stumbled this year, had been struggling.
Hundreds of Regal, Cineworld movie theaters to close
Read full article: Hundreds of Regal, Cineworld movie theaters to closeCineworld Group Plc said Monday that it would close 536 Regal cinemas in the U.S. and 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse venues in the U.K. this week, affecting some 45,000 employees. Last week groups representing theater owners, movie studios and directors issued a plea to U.S. lawmakers to provide relief to ailing movie theaters. Cineworld had also been highly leveraged, having largely funded its acquisition of Regal Entertainment in 2018 through debt. Greidinger hopes that that might be settled before Christmas, in time for “Wonder Woman 1984.”“I will be the happiest man to open the cinemas for ‘Wonder Woman," he said. “But we will also need to look beyond ‘Wonder Woman’ to January and February.”
Ann Arbor based Home Point Financial dedicating $1 million grant to create 50 minority and female owned mortgage businesses
Read full article: Ann Arbor based Home Point Financial dedicating $1 million grant to create 50 minority and female owned mortgage businessesANN ARBOR, Mich. – In the spirit of Small Business Week here in Michigan Home Point Financial, a wholesale mortgage lender based in Ann Arbor has an exciting opportunity for aspiring business owners in the mortgage industry. On Friday, Home Point announced a new charitable community foundation, from which it will dedicate $1 million in grants to fund 50 new minority-owned and female-owned mortgage brokerages throughout the nation. The lender will allocate $500,000 to create 25 minority-owned brokerages and $500,000 to create 25 female-owned mortgage brokerages throughout the country. “At Home Point, we’re passionate about expanding opportunities for people from all walks of life interested in participating in the mortgage industry,” said Phil Shoemaker, President of Originations at Home Point Financial. We look forward to helping people make their entrepreneurship dreams a reality.”Read More: Ann Arbor Business
Ready to vote but need a ride? This company says it’s stepping in to help
Read full article: Ready to vote but need a ride? This company says it’s stepping in to helpAnd just like every election year, it’s of the utmost importance that citizens cast their ballot in this year’s election. If you’ve registered but are already concerned about how you will make it to a polling station, the ride-sharing company Uber wants to step in and lend a hand. As Election Day approaches, and as part of its “Get Out the Vote” campaign, the company aims to help people find their polling location, as well as offer discounted rides to and from the poll during early voting. “As we look ahead to this year’s election, we are committed to doing our part to make sure every citizen has access to vote,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said. Uber officials said as Election Day nears, people will begin to have access to important information in the app.
Frolic and Fawn brings comfort to newborns
Read full article: Frolic and Fawn brings comfort to newbornsBecoming a new mom has its special moments and its challenges. One company based south of Ann Arbor in Saline is bringing comfort to new moms by bringing comfort to their newborns. Frolic and Fawn is a company that makes soft cozy swaddling blankets and caps for newborns. Cara Fritz and her mother Christine Laginess joined the show to talk about the company. To learn more about Frolic and Fawn watch the segment above.
What Detroit CEOs had to say about George Floyd death, social injustice
Read full article: What Detroit CEOs had to say about George Floyd death, social injusticeIn a joint statement the Detroit leaders condemned the acts of injustice in the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor and the many other men and women whose lives have been cut far too short." MORE: Detroit business leaders speak out against racism, institute plans to combat systemic problemsTogether the leaders agreed to eliminate bias, racism, sexism and violence within their companies. Heres more of what the Detroit CEOs had to say Wednesday:Rev. And when that officer put his knee down on George Floyds neck, it ripped that scab off and its bleeding. Were here today to say that the conditions of systemic racism in law enforcement will change when everybody joins the cause.
Team behind Wheelhouse Graphix helping other small Metro Detroit businesses during virus outbreak
Read full article: Team behind Wheelhouse Graphix helping other small Metro Detroit businesses during virus outbreakSean Flynn, president of the Bloomfield Hills company, said it is important to them to give back to the community. They are worried about how small businesses will survive and realized they could offer something that might help. Wheelhouse Graphix is making free signs for other small businesses, like restaurants, to help let the public know they are open for business. Small businesses that reach out to Wheelhouse Graphix will receive two lawn signs and a banner. Wheelhouse Graphix also printed thank you signs to place near hospitals in the metro Detroit area.
Team behind Wheelhouse Graphix helping other small Metro Detroit businesses during virus outbreak
Read full article: Team behind Wheelhouse Graphix helping other small Metro Detroit businesses during virus outbreakTeam behind Wheelhouse Graphix helping other small Metro Detroit businesses during virus outbreakPublished: March 20, 2020, 6:17 pmWheelhouse Graphix has seen its business slow down during this coronavirus crisis, but the team behind the company is focused on how they can use their time and resources to help other small businesses.
Parent company of more than 60 restaurant chains warns customers of potential data breach
Read full article: Parent company of more than 60 restaurant chains warns customers of potential data breachHOUSTON – Landry’s Inc., a Houston-based company behind more than 600 restaurants, hotels and casinos in the United States, warned customers about a data breach that could have compromised credit card information. According to the company, the data breach likely affected cards used in the 7-month period between March 13 and Oct. 17, 2019. The company owns more than 60 restaurant chains, including Del Frisco’s Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp and Joe’s Crab Shack. Landy’s stated on its website that unauthorized access to their network that supports payment processing for restaurants, food and beverage systems. For more information and steps on how to protect your data, the full statement from Landry’s Inc. can be found here.