GRAND RAPIDS - Optimism about the economy remained high going into the third quarter among Michigan businesses surveyed by PNC Bank. In a semi-annual sentiment survey, 45 percent of the responding small and mid-market business owners and executives in Michigan said they feel optimistic about their local economy. That compares to 34 percent who said
GRAND RAPIDS — Auxo Investment Partners closed fundraising for its first fund after netting $50 million from family offices and institutional investors. The close last week enables Auxo’s partners to focus solely on seeking and vetting investment prospects. The Grand Rapids-based private equity firm expects to invest in 10 to 15 companies over the next three years
GRAND HAVEN - West Michigan automotive supplier GHSP Inc, a division of Grand Haven-based JSJ Corp,is planning to move into an advanced tech hub in Grand Haven. The manufacturer of electronic vehicle shifting systems and pumps for the automotive industry said it will open the 7,000-square-foot office in Grand Haven, where 20 employees will be tasked with developing
GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Valley State University researchers have found the benefits outweigh the costs of Grand Rapids’ investment in green infrastructure to limit stormwater runoff. Advocates say the findings are significant for quantifying the environmental benefits of projects that cost more upfront compared to traditional “gray infrastructure” that simply diverts stormwater to the Grand River,
GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Angels plans to launch its third venture capital fund, seeking $15 million to $25 million that builds off of two prior, smaller venture capital funds at the organization. The new fund would target investments in advanced manufacturing, advanced agriculture, life sciences and software, all of which were focuses of the previous funds. Managing
PORTAGE — Pfizer Inc. is the first manufacturer to take advantage of the Good Jobs for Michigan incentive program signed into law a year ago by Gov. Rick Snyder. The pharmaceutical giant said today it will invest $465 million into a two-story, 400,000-square-foot building at its Portage campus, which will serve as a sterile drug manufacturing facility.
GRAND RAPIDS - By making a significant investment in cybersecurity, West Michigan manufacturers can avoid having their sensitive information getting into the wrong hands. Just ask Jessica Dore, a principal in technology risk management in Grand Rapids at accounting and consulting firm Rehmann LLC. Dore works on the firm’s Corporate Investigative Services unit that performs cybersecurity
KALAMAZOO - Vestaron Corp. seeks to raise $12 million in investments to enable the company to bring to market its environmentally friendly pesticide based on spider venom. Vestaron closed in late June on the first round of the capital raise, netting more than $4.2 million from five existing investors. The capital will go toward producing
GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Rapids is one of three cities nationally to be selected for a pilot program from Ford Motor Co. aimed at addressing the transportation needs of today and in the future. In selecting Grand Rapids along with Miami and Pittsburgh, the Dearborn-based automotive company hopes to engage residents and the business community in determining
GRAND HAVEN — JSJ Corp. has invested $3 million in a startup company that wants to commercialize a device designed to reduce infections acquired in hospitals and other settings. UV Partners Inc.’s UVAngel disinfects surfaces using safe, low doses of ultraviolet light. The device mounts atop surfaces such as computer keyboards, touchscreens and equipment. The system’s sensors
