Michigan
UP small businesses represent Michigan at virtual South by Southwest Conference in Texas
MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Businesses from throughout the Great Lakes State, including the U.P., are attending the 38th edition of the annual South by Southwest Conference (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, which celebrates the convergence of technology, film, television and music.
The conference encourages the businesses to band together with state government leaders this week to help promote the Mitten State as a place to consider calling home, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp (MEDC).
The MEDC said it and the state’s population growth effort Let’s Grow Michigan will join Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) and the state’s first-ever Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe to partner with 53 businesses and organizations to introduce the best digital gift “swag bag” in state history at the famed cultural festival that runs through March 16.
The MEDC said exclusive deals and discounts will be offered to visitors attending Michigan-hosted events at SXSW and are designed to inspire the hundreds of thousands of conference attendees expected to arrive in Austin to consider Michigan as their next destination to explore, experience and envision as their new place to launch a career, start a business and call home.
Michigan has presented gift bags to attendees at previous SXSW conferences, but the number of businesses participating in this year’s offering surpasses any prior distribution, MEDC officials said.
“Michigan is the birthplace of countless innovations that have changed the way we all live and move through the world,” Doe said. “We’re showcasing some of those makers and creations at SXSW, while highlighting the incredible places and opportunities our state offers to live, work and build a life. No matter what you’re into, there’s something for everyone in Michigan. Michigan’s presence at SXSW helps us to speak directly to the talent that we know can thrive in the Great Lakes State, whether they’re building their own company or supporting the vast number of Michigan’s existing tech leaders of all sizes and across industries. Our message is: Let’s grow!”
The MEDC added the annual SXSW Conference offers attendees a view of the future, celebrating innovation and technology and providing a forum for creative thinkers to discuss what’s next and connect to resources and community to build the future.
While SXSW is known for high-profile premieres and live performances, it has also become an early career hot spot for professional development, according to the MEDC. From tech startup competitions and future-focused exhibitors to global emerging talent and buzzworthy speakers, SXSW fosters creative and professional growth across a multitude of industries.
The MEDC added the festival’s demographic data show 62% of attendees are between the ages of 26 and 45, with 67% having a household income of at least $100,000. Among the main industries for total attendance in 2023 were marketing and advertising, creative industries and computer technology. Events like SXSW are opportunities to raise awareness of Michigan’s unique places, creativity and innovation among diverse talent sectors Michigan communities and employers are eager to recruit.
Doe is a featured panelist at SXSW’s influential Midwest House, an experiential embassy of the nation’s Midwest region to SXSW and a year-round catalyst for regions, innovators and creatives, the MEDC said. Gilchrist is featured on a panel during Tuesday’s 2024 SXSW Conference programming. Another SXSW panel will include Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson discussing “The Future of Air Travel: Innovation From the Ground Up.”
MEDC officials said they will join state leaders hosting sessions on a wide array of topics ranging from innovation, technology and economic opportunities to Michigan’s strong union heritage and the state’s role in building America’s premier Black tech ecosystem. Several Michigan-based outdoor recreation companies, such as Carhartt and Wolverine Worldwide will also be highlighted.
In addition, the MEDC said it is hosting a panel featuring Juan Atkins, regarded as the founding father of techno who made Detroit the birthplace of that music genre, and West Michigan tech founder and CEO, beverage entrepreneur and popular local DJ Andrea “Dre” Wallace, who will discuss the intersection of “Techno and Tech” followed by a happy hour showcasing Detroit-style pizza and Michigan beer.
Organizations from the U.P. include:
- Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
- Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
- Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
- Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
- Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
- Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.
All businesses and organizations from Michigan:
- Alfie Logo Gear (Traverse City): We’ll get you geared up. Spiffy logo gear, branded merch and creative solutions for companies, teams, events and more!
- Angling A.i. (Jackson): Revolving around the “do-it yourselfers” in the fishing industry, our products allow anglers to make high-quality baits at reduced prices.
- Athlytic AI Fitness Coach (Detroit): Apple Watch or iPhone app that gives you personalized insights into and coaching about your health and daily training.
- Audio Radar (Holland): Deaf and hard-of-hearing players can “see the sound” during game play with innovative Adaptive Surround Vision Technology.
- Badr Photography (Dearborn): Specializing in advertising food photography.
- Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo): The home of Oberon beer, and other unique and inspired craft beer.
- BetterPlay Studios (Ann Arbor): World-class gaming experiences to positively impact your mental health.
- BrandXR (Detroit): Bring your brand to life with Augmented Reality (AR)!
- Breadless (Detroit): Low-carb and 100% gluten-free dishes that are absolutely tasty!
- Bridge Street Exchange (Fenton): Lifestyle-based clothing and gift store with an emphasis on quality.
- Cafe Rica LLC (Battle Creek): The Cereal City’s top coffee spot for cold brews and brunch service.
- Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill (Ironwood): Copper Peak will soon be the world’s largest ski jumping hill!
- Corteva Agriscience (Midland): The world’s largest pureplay agricultural company — we offer farmers a comprehensive and diverse portfolio, from crop protection to seeds.
- Discover Kalamazoo: In Kalamazoo County, you’ll experience big-city excitement, with a twist of easygoing comfort.
- Experience Grand Rapids: Culture Pass GR is your three-day admission ticket to explore Grand Rapids.
- Farmish (Grand Rapids): A marketplace app that connects local farms with consumers and wholesale buyers.
- FPX Consulting (Dearborn): Business solutions for small businesses and organizations.
- Giggso (Bloomfield Hills): A no-code Model Ops observability platform for data science, engineering teams and business execs.
- Gilmore Car Museum (Hickory Corners): North America’s largest car museum.
- Great Lakes Crystal (East Lansing): A cost-effective source of large-area, high-quality, single-crystal diamond materials for advanced electronics and quantum technology applications.
- Holo Footwear Inc. (Grand Rapids): Created with a want to shake up the footwear industry — we create sustainable and attainable shoes made with recycled materials.
- IMAGIO Glass Design (Sterling Heights): A healthy alternative to tile and grout!
- Kall Morris Incorporated, dba KMI (Marquette): We are an orbital debris research and solution development company focused on Active Debris Removal (ADR) to keep space clear for all.
- Krav’n Cookies (Saginaw): Sweet shop with over 50 cupcake flavors and more than 100 menu items, including Krav’n Cookies.
- The Lip Bar (Detroit): We’re maximum impact, minimal effort beauty must-haves designed for your complexion. Founded and owned by Women of Color.
- Lite Raise (Mount Clemens): Empowering students and organizations to increase their fundraising potential.
- Live Oak Coffeehouse (Midland): We’re a local gem, offering specialty brews and a warm ambiance for gathering and conversation.
- LoanSense (Ypsilanti): We reduce student loan payments and debt-to-income to help borrowers.
- Lodge Sound (Brighton): The future of outdoor audio! The first self-charging, weatherproof, premium wireless speaker for the outdoors.
- MaxPro (Rochester): Fit a weight room’s worth of equipment into any size space. MaxPro gives you the flexibility of a complete full-body workout, no dedicated space required.
- MoGo (Detroit): Sustainable, on-demand transportation.
- Own It (Holland): Leveraging biometrics to improve wellness, performance and quality of life.
- Paxahau Presents (Detroit): Dance music events promoter and producer of the Motor City’s iconic Movement Music Festival.
- Pearl Edison (Detroit): Streamlining energy efficiency retrofits, making electrification easy and affordable.
- Politics on the Go (POGO, Detroit): A civic tech company simplifying civic engagement for Gen Z and millennials through a gamified, nonpartisan app to revolutionize election research.
- Port City Emporium (Manistee): We carry art and artisan wares from over 40 artists, most from Michigan.
- Reaction Technologies (Ann Arbor): Building athletes’ spatial awareness and proper form using a heads-up display.
- Rebel Nell (Detroit): Sustainable jewelry brand supporting women transitioning out of shelter living.
- Revolin Sports (Holland): Sustainable pickleball paddles designed for obsessed players.
- Rigoni’s Bakery Yooper Pasties (Ironwood): Old-world baked goods and home of Upper Michigan’s No. 1 pasty.
- Robal Tech LLC (Detroit): Reduce HR workload! Put talent and workforce management into one single sign-on. Try us free for 30 days.
- Short’s Brewing (Bellaire): Michigan’s largest independent craft brewer (plus award-winning Starcut Ciders).
- SISU Custom Fit Mouthguards, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Specializing in advanced oral protection.
- Sniffer Robotics Inc. (Ann Arbor): Sniffer Robotics is a leading environmental technology-enabled services firm providing methane emissions monitoring services for ground applications.
- Soldadera Coffee (Grand Rapids): Authentic Mexican coffee experiences through premium products.
- SOVA Night Guard, an Akervall Technologies Company (Saline): Advanced dental protection for nighttime use.
- Southwest Michigan First (Kalamazoo): With vibrant, artistic communities, family-friendly entertainment options and over 80 public access lakes, you can thrive in Southwest Michigan!
- Stormy Kromer (Ironwood): Iconic wool caps, plus jackets, vests, shirts and more!
- Swaddelini (Holland): A seamless 3D knit sleep sack made with zero closure systems.
- Swimsmarttech (Marquette): Enhancing beach safety through smart and connected beachfront technologies with the greater goal of ending drownings in our communities.
- Syncurrent (Marquette): We work with underserved communities to turn entrepreneurship into an economic engine.
- TripSlip (Detroit): Digital permission slips making field trips equitable and easy to manage.
- Visit Detroit: Mobile-exclusive passes offer savings at some of the best craft breweries and pizzerias in metro Detroit.
Copyright 2024 WLUC. All rights reserved.
We can expect some scattered showers this morning as the last of the soggy weather moves across Michigan. But then a high-pressure system will be moving in.
This will bring dry weather and a chance for daytime temperatures to warm up a little bit for the weekend.
Some areas of the state could brush 60 degrees by Sunday.
Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices across Michigan:
Rain showers will persist across eastern and northern Michigan through Friday afternoon, with some wet snowflakes possibly mixing in over the high terrain of the Upper Peninsula.
Temperatures will remain cool statewide with highs in the 40s to low 50s.
The most persistent shower activity will be in the eastern Upper Peninsula and northeastern Lower Peninsula, particularly in western Alger County where up to 0.40 inches of rainfall is expected.
Northwest winds of 15-25 mph will gradually diminish through the day as high pressure builds across the region.
Frost and freeze conditions are likely Friday night, especially away from the lakeshores, with temperatures falling into the upper 20s to mid-30s across most of Michigan. The growing season has already been declared over for all Michigan counties, so no additional freeze warnings are anticipated.
The weekend will bring improving conditions statewide as high pressure settles overhead. Saturday will feature diminishing clouds and temperatures in the low to mid-50s. Sunday looks even milder with highs reaching the mid to upper 50s across most of Michigan, with some areas approaching 60 degrees.
The extended forecast shows continued mild temperatures into early next week, with highs near 60 degrees on Monday. Dry weather will prevail through Monday before precipitation chances gradually increase by midweek as a complex weather pattern develops.
Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from the National Weather Service. It was reviewed, edited and expanded by MLive staff.
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Michigan will enter East Lansing as a sizable favorite over rival Michigan State this weekend. The Wolverines have defeated MSU in the past three contests and Michigan is expected to do the same this weekend. Now, with rivalry games, anything can happen, but there is a clear talent discrepancy.
Michigan knows it has to win out if the Wolverines hope to make the College Football Playoff and MSU has really struggled, losing its last four games.
While Michigan is expected to win the game, who covers the spread? The Wolverines are now a 14.5 point favorite, and Fox analyst Joel Klatt helped break down the game and gave his opinion on the line.
Klatt believes Michigan is going to win this game, but again, it’s a rivalry game, and the Spartans should throw everything at the Wolverines. Jonathan Smith could go deep in the playbook to pull out some trickery. While Klatt sees Michigan winning the game, he thinks Michigan State will cover.
“The only thing for me on the Michigan State side is that this is a kitchen sink type of game. You throw the kitchen sink at Michigan, you’re at home. It’s a rivalry game,” said Klatt.
“And let’s face it, Michigan has not run away from anybody this year. So the 14.5 looks like a big number. The score that I land on is Michigan 30 -17, which means a 13-point win, which means I’m going to take the home points for Michigan State.”
Klatt talked about how Michigan unlocked the ‘Rubik’s Cube’ last weekend against Washington. It was a vintage Michigan win. The Wolverines blocked well, ran the ball hard, and QB Bryce Underwood played as efficiently as he had all season. Andrew Marsh has emerged as a top target for Underwood and the Wolverines’ defense was fantastic.
Michigan State doesn’t do anything well on the defensive end. Run defense is poor and Jordan Marshall could be in store for a big game. While Klatt is correct that MSU could pull out all the stops, Michigan is still the better team.
14.5 points is a lot on the road against a rival, but if the Wolverines play their game, against a struggling MSU defense, Michigan should be able to get it done.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER
TROY, Mich. (FOX 2) – The backbone of Michigan’s economy has and continues to be manufacturing, which is why two times a year the state sends 10 small businesses overseas only to return with new customers.
Big picture view:
It’s all thanks to Troy’s Automation Alley and it has worked to the tune of $2.3 billion in new business.
This story starts in the middle with, well, the middle man.
“We want to see our children stay here like everybody,” said Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley. “And we have to create vibrant communities. One of the backbones of Michigan is manufacturing.”
Kelly leads the team at Automation Alley in Troy. Think of them as the bridge that brings Michigan manufacturers directly to the customers.
“There are 12,000 manufacturers in Michigan, we have 4,000 as members,” he said.
He says they have a formula that is proven – and works.
“We take them to these foreign countries, we set up appointments with companies that want to buy their products, and we help them close the deals,” he said. “Since we started, we have generated over $2.3 billion dollars for small manufacturers.”
The two trips coming up with take ten of these small businesses to Querétaro, Mexico in February and Paris, France in June of next year.
“By the way, here’s the kicker, it’s actually subsidized by the State of Michigan,” Kelly said. “So we can cover up to half of your travel expenses on these trade missions because guess what? It’s a huge win for the State of Michigan if you become a net exporter of your product to other countries.”
For those who may be thinking this is only a free trip – think again. Automation Alley has been putting on these trade missions for years.
“We have the relationships, we know who they should be meeting with, and people are people all over the world,” Kelly said.
Those relationships usually lead to lasting relationships, he added.
Automation Alley is an non-profit funded through donor businesses who know the value of Michigan manufacturing.
While the trade missions are important, it’s not all the only thing that happens here.
“Trade missions are only twice a year,” Kelly said. “We have programming all year long that helps you understand Artificial Intelligence, help you make a choice on what robot should I buy. What kind of systems do I need to consider, what are my peers doing in manufacturing that I can emulate and be successful like them.
“All of these things are available free of charge to all 12,000 manufactures in the State of Michigan.”
If you’d like to find out how to sign up your business to take advantage of the trade missions or other programs, just visit automationalley.com
The Source: Information for this report is from an interview with Tom Kelly, the CEO of Automation Alley.
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