This story is part of our Inno on the Road series, where we take a look at innovation hubs throughout the Midwest. Check back all week for more coverage on Ann Arbor, Mich.'s tech and startup scene.
Whether they’re building B2B software, helping farmers monitor their crops or helping athletes improve their skills, there are a number of companies in Ann Arbor that are working to solve problems through innovation, and we're taking a look at some of the city’s most notable ones.
All born and bred in Ann Arbor, companies on this list range from young startups to multi-million dollar companies and the city’s first tech unicorn. Here are 15 Ann Arbor tech companies you need to know:
Accio Energy, which makes wind energy systems, was founded in 2007 by Dawn White. The tech company has more than $4.5 million in funding from organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy and Capital Community Angel Investors. Their board of directors includes several energy industry veterans, including the former COO of Detroit Edison.
ArborMetrix makes healthcare intelligence solutions software that gives providers outcomes-based data. Founded in 2011 by John D. Birkmeyer, Justin B. Dimick and Douglas Staiger, ArborMetrix works with more than 76,000 providers across 2,300 hospitals and practices, and employs more than 40 people. To date, they’ve raised more than $18 million in funding from investors like RPM Ventures and Aboretum Ventures, according to Crunchbase.
Cribspot, an online platform for college students and property managers, helps to streamline finding and leasing off-campus housing. The startup was founded in 2013 and has more than $2.8 million in funding from investors like Y-Combinator and Hyde Park Ventures. Outside of Ann Arbor, Cribspot operates in East Lansing, Michigan and Chicago. They employ 19 people.
Duo Security, a maker of cybersecurity software that helps businesses protect their apps and online platforms from cyber threats, was founded by Dug Song in 2010. Just this fall, the company raised $70 million in funding, pushing them over the $1 billion valuation mark and earning unicorn status. They employ 500 people worldwide, 350 of which are in Ann Arbor.
FarmLogs, which makes a technology that helps farmers monitor and measure their crops, and predict profits and risks, was founded in 2012 by Jesse Vollmar. In January, they raised $22 million in a Series C round from investors like Naspers Ventures and Hyde Park Venture Partners. They employ more than 70 people.
ForeSee, a voice of customer (VOC) solutions company, helps businesses capitalize on their VOC programs. They were founded in 2001 and have $20 million in funding, according to Crunchbase. ForeSee has more than 2,000 clients, including 3M, Alaska Airlines and Capital One. Other than Ann Arbor, ForeSee has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Cleveland, San Francisco, Vancouver and London.
Groundspeed, which provides analytics to commercial insurers and brokers, was founded in 2015 by Jeff Mason. In April, the startup raised $2 million in a funding round led by MachesterStory Group.
Hook is a digital creative studio that creates online content for companies. It was founded in 2006 and their clients include Google, Disney and Old Navy.
Impellia, founded in 2015, makes sports software and sensor-based technologies that help physicians quantify athletes’ performance to help them improve their skills. Outside of Ann Arbor, they also operate in Pittsburgh and Seattle.
Industry Star Solutions makes an on-demand supply chain service software that helps companies expedite product launches, provides operational flexibility and reduce risks associated with supply chains. The company was founded in 2013 by William Crane, Tony Lancione and Matt Forster.
LawnGuru, founded by Brandon Bertrang, Skye Durrant and Jake Torrence, provides outdoor home services, like lawn mowing, that consumers book using a mobile app. They currently operate in eight cities, including Ann Arbor, Chicago and Cleveland. Since launching in 2014, they’ve raised more than $1 million in funding.
LLamasoft, which makes end-to-end supply chain software, was originally founded by Donald Hicks in 1998. After being bought by an Ann Arbor company, and then re-launching on their own again in 2004, the company now has more than $56 million in funding and 250 employees in Ann Arbor. According to Hicks, their clients include half of the Fortune 100 companies, including Ikea, Ford Motor Company and Lululemon.
Nutshell, a tech company that makes software to help small businesses manage their sales, was founded in 2009 by Andy Fowler and Guy Suter. They have thousands of clients in more than 50 countries and have raised more than $750,000 in funding from backers like Plymouth Venture Partners, Barracuda Networks and the Detroit Innovate Fund, according to Crunchbase.
Seelio, founded in 2001 by Moses Lee, David Jsa and Jerry Wang, provides college students a platform to post their work in online portfolios. In 2014, the startup was acquired by Lenexa, Kan.-based PlattForm for an undisclosed amount. However, Seelio is still operating in Ann Arbor independently and has about $2.2 million in funding, according to Crunchbase.
Wisely, which makes an operations and marketing system for restaurants, was founded in 2013 by Arjun Iyer, Josh Stern, Michael Vichich and Tyler Felous.
