Recent News
02.10.13 PRESS RELEASE: InvestMichigan! Program co-managers Beringea and Credit Suisse’s Customized Fund Investment Group announce the $180 million Michigan Growth Capital Partners II, L.P. more
-
Featured Video
Beringea’s Michigan VCTV profiles Relume Technologies — click the video icon below to see more.
Featured Video - Submit a Business Plan
- Subscribe to InvestMichigan! Growth Capital Fund News
Current Portfolio
Portfolio
Abe’s Market
Michigan Operations: Traverse City, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: September 2012
Abe’s Market is the leading online destination for discovering and experiencing the best organic and natural products available. Founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur Richard Demb and former Fortune 500 marketing executive Jon Polin, Abe’s Market gives healthy, environmentally conscious, and lifestyle savvy consumers a place to find incredible food, baby, hygiene, home, fashion and pet care items. The site is home to thousands of green-minded vendors, each of whom uses the platform to share the stories behind their products to help better connect with Abe’s customers and stand out to other like-minded vendors. In return, consumers get a better understanding of the health and environmental benefits each product delivers, and vendors have a business network they can tap into for new business and potential partnerships. Abe’s Market is working to combine the experience of a local, organic market with the convenience of an online superstore. Visit www.abesmarket.com for more information.
Truven Health Analytics
Based in: Ann Arbor, MI
Sector: Healthcare Services
Date Invested: June 2012
Truven Health Analytics, formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, delivers unbiased information, analytic tools, benchmarks, and services to the healthcare industry. Hospitals, government agencies, employers, health plans, clinicians, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies have relied on Truven for more than 30 years. The company combines its deep clinical, financial, and healthcare management expertise with innovative technology platforms and information assets to make healthcare better by collaborating with customers to uncover and realize opportunities for improving quality, efficiency, and outcomes. Visit www.truvenhealth.com for more information.
Molecular Imaging
Based in: Ann Arbor, MI
Sector: Life Sciences
Date Invested: February 2012
Molecular Imaging, Inc. is a specialty contract research organization (CRO) located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Molecular Imaging employs a wide array of imaging technologies, including MRI, micro-CT, micro-PET and optical (two-dimensional and molecular fluorescence tomography) to quantitatively measure response to therapy at anatomical, functional and molecular levels. Molecular Imaging also conducts applications research to develop and optimize the use of imaging and actively seeks collaborations to further advance imaging in the field of drug discovery. Visit www.molecularimaging.com for more information.
syncreon
Based in: Auburn Hills, MI
Sector: Logistics
Date Invested: October 2011
syncreon is a global contract logistics and supply chain management company that uses its asset-light business model to provide specialized transportation, inbound, outbound, and fulfillment logistics services. These services are fully integrated into its customers’ supply chain and final end-client delivery. syncreon is a global business based in Ireland with its operational HQ in Auburn Hills, MI. syncreon has activities in 25 countries, with approximately 82 facilities and approximately 12,000 employees. syncreon is owned by Irish businessmen Michael & Brian Enright and New York based private equity firm, GenNx360 Capital Partners. Visit www.syncreon.com for more information.
Intervention Insights
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI
Sector: Health care
Date Invested: July 2011
Intervention Insights provides actionable strategies that assist community oncologists in developing personalized treatments for their patients. By analyzing cancerous tissue, Intervention Insights generate a genomic picture of over 20,000 genes and corresponding molecular pathways that uniquely define a person’s cancer and the drugs that target them. The company delivers this information to its frontline oncology partners who can quickly review hundreds of drugs which specifically target the molecular basis of a person’s cancer. The technology, OncInsights, is commercially available and used by an expanding network of community oncologists. Visit www.interventioninsights.com for more information.
Wolverine Advanced Materials
Based in: Dearborn, MI
Sector: Manufacturing
Date Invested: April 2011
Wolverine Advanced Materials produces and sells performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals used in gaskets for automotive & industrial applications; automotive brake noise insulators and NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) damping solutions for automotive and NSV (noise, shock & vibration) for consumer electronics applications. Visit www.wamglobal.com for more information.
Henniges Automotive
Based in: Farmington Hills, MI
Sector: Manufacturing
Date Invested: November 2010
Henniges Automotive provides world class sealing system solutions to the global automotive market. The company utilizes the talents of its 4,500 associates located across three continents, 11 plants, and two technical centers to design, manufacture, and deliver innovative automotive sealing products to its customers. Visit www.hennigesautomotive.com for more information.
Xanitos
Michigan Operations: Grand Rapids
Sector: Healthcare
Date Invested: October 2010
Xanitos is a provider of outsourced hospital housekeeping services across the United States. The company’s services include daily and post-discharge cleaning of patient rooms, cleaning and maintenance of flooring in common areas and passageways, and responding to situational cleaning needs. The company’s proprietary patented vacuum-cart and patent-pending XRO Team System improves productivity, significantly reduces the risk of hospital acquired infections, raises HCAHPS scores, and reduces bed turnaround time. Visit www.xanitos.com for more information.
Invenergy
Based in: Gratiot County, MI
Sector: Clean Technology/Alternative Energy
Date Invested: October 2010
Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation facilities in North America and Europe. The company is committed to clean power alternatives and continued innovation in electricity generation. Invenergy and its affiliated companies have developed and placed in service nineteen wind farms and five natural gas-fueled generating facilities. The aggregate capacity of these facilities is approximately five thousand megawatts, which can provide enough power for approximately two million homes. Invenergy is one of the top six largest owners of wind generating facilities in the United States, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Visit www.invenergyllc.com for more information.
ReCellular videoReCellular
Based in: Dexter, MI
Sector: Clean Technology
Date Invested: October 2010
ReCellular is a leading e-waste company providing solutions for the collection, refurbishment, re-use and recycling of used mobile phones and personal electronics. The company collects more than 400,000 mobile phones a month and approximately 70 percent of those phones are refurbished and resold both domestically and worldwide; the rest are recycled for the precious metals, electronics and plastics that make up a phone. Phones are collected through partnerships with major mobile carriers, charities and large corporations and through direct purchases from consumers, and then sent to the company’s Dexter, MI facility for data removal and refurbishment or recycling. Visit www.recellular.com for more information.
mophie
Based in: Paw Paw, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: August 2010
Founded in 2006, mophie is designer and manufacturer of electronic accessories for smart phones and other mobile intelligent devices. mophie’s product offerings include the Juice Pack line of external power cases , which are compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad The company introduced the first-ever “Works With iPhone” portable battery case certified by Apple Inc. and has developed the mophie marketplace,™ a case fitted with a magnetic strip reader that allows iPhone users to process credit card transactions on-the-go. Visit www.mophie.com for more information.
Salon Grafix
Based in: Auburn Hills, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: July 2010
Salon Grafix is a developer and marketer of branded hair care products sold through retail mass-market channels. The Salon Grafix brand was launched in 1998 as a line of premium, salon quality hairsprays without the price tag of professional products. Today, Salon Grafix is one of the leading hair spray brands in the United States and has developed long standing relationships with a well diversified customer base comprised primarily of mass merchandisers, drug store chains, retail supermarkets and specialty retailers. Visit www.salongrafix.com for more information.
Livio Radio
Based in: Ferndale, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: June 2010
Founded in 2008, Livio Radio aims to make Internet audio streams accessible to more people, in more places. Dedicated to designing products that work fast without complicated menus, the company’s line of specialty radios, including the NPR Radio by Livio and the Livio Radio featuring Pandora, let users enjoy the benefits of online programming — music, sports, news and talk from around the world — anywhere an Internet connection is available. The Livio Car Internet Radio App for iPhone uses a high-speed data connection and a streamlined interface to offer the thousands of free online programming choices, along with traditional AM/FM radio broadcasts, for users on the go. Visit www.livioradio.com for more information.
Liberty Dialysis
Michigan Operations: Western Michigan
Sector: Healthcare
Date Invested: May 2010
Liberty Dialysis develops, owns and operates dialysis clinics throughout the United States, particularly in underserved communities. The company partners with local physicians, nephrologists, non-profit organizations and/or hospitals in owning and operating the centers. Visit www.libertydialysis.com for more information.
The InvestMichigan! Growth Capital Fund exited its investment in Liberty Dialysis in February 2012.
Delphinus Medical Technologies
Based in: Plymouth, MI
Sector: Healthcare
Date Invested: May 2010
Delphinus Medical Technologies, a spinout from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, is the developer of SoftVue, an alternative to mammography for breast cancer detection, risk evaluation and treatment monitoring.
The SoftVue system does not involve radiation or compression and can effectively differentiate benign from malignant masses in breasts, helping to reduce the number of false positives and thereby reduce unnecessary biopsies. Unlike mammography the breast is submerged in warm water and an ultrasound ring surrounds the breast and captures detailed, three-dimensional images through the use of sound waves. The results are similar to MRI; however the SoftVue system takes only minutes and costs much less. The system is also able to perform repeated imaging, a necessary tool for treatment monitoring.
In addition, through its three-dimensional capabilities, SoftVue can accurately measure breast density, a known risk factor for developing breast cancer, as well as detect many early stages of breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue, which is often not picked up by mammography. Visit www.delphinusmt.com for more information.
InTouch Health
Michigan Operations: Pittsfield Township, MI
Sector: Healthcare
Date Invested: April 2010
InTouch Health provides comprehensive telemedicine solutions that enable physicians to remotely perform real-time consults with hospital patients. Through a single interface, physicians can access a host of FDA-cleared Remote Presence devices to provide and document care into emergency rooms, critical care units, patient wards and operating rooms. Wherever access to medical expertise is limited, InTouch Health’s Remote Presence telemedicine solutions can effectively extend the physician’s reach to manage patient care, thereby removing critical time and distance barriers.
The Company has more than 300 hospital locations on six continents using Remote Presence to deliver specialty care services such as stroke, cardiology, trauma, pediatrics, neonatology, psychiatry, translation services, critical care coverage, patient rounds, clinical education, and surgical/procedure mentoring. Visit www.intouchhealth.com for more information.
Sakti3 videoSakti3, Inc.
Based in: Ann Arbor, MI
Sector: Clean Technology
Date Invested: March 2010
Sakti3 is a developer of high performance solid state lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronics. The company’s modeling, manufacturing process and initial production batteries have proven at a small scale that it has strong potential to produce batteries that radically change the performance and economics of electrified vehicles.
Founded in 2007, Sakti3 is a spin-out of the University of Michigan. In 2009, the company was designated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as a State of Michigan Center of Energy Excellence (CoEE) in partnership with the University of Michigan.
Relume videoRelume
Based in: Oxford, MI
Sector: Clean Technology
Date Invested: December 2009
Relume designs, manufacturers and markets highly efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective LED lighting products and smart-grid control systems for outdoor lighting applications. The company’s products are used primarily in street and area lighting for municipalities and corporations, commercial signage, outdoor advertising, transportation and U.S. military applications.
Relume’s patented thermal management technology enables its LEDs to burn brighter, last longer and be packaged in lighting fixtures that cost less. The company’s smart-grid technology, Sentinel™, allows municipalities, counties and departments of transportation to network their LED-based light fixtures (including those of competitors) and incumbent lighting technologies to remotely control them to power up or dim lights across all or parts of the network, reducing energy consumption, maintenance costs and CO2 generation.
Accuri Cytometers
Based in: Ann Arbor, MI
Sector: Life Sciences
Date Invested: July 2009
Accuri Cytometers, Inc. is a life sciences company developing and marketing revolutionary high performance cell analysis systems designed to bring the power of flow cytometry into the labs of life science researchers everywhere. Reflecting the input of hundreds of researchers, the Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer(R) is a full-featured bench-top cell and bead analysis system that provides similar capabilities to those of industry-leading flow cytometers in an easy-to-use format and at a fraction of their cost. The Accuri system was engineered from the start to be compact, powerful and user-friendly, while also being affordable by most research laboratories. The Accuri CSampler(TM) adds simple, reliable and user-friendly automation to the Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer System.
The InvestMichigan! Growth Capital Fund exited its investment in Accuri Cytometers in March 2011.
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation
Based in: Detroit, MI
Sector: Industrial Products
Date Invested: June 2009
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation (IPR) is an experienced, nationwide provider of trenchless repair and rehabilitation solutions for water, sewer, manhole and culvert applications. The company uses the industry’s leading trenchless technologies including pipe bursting, CIPP and Rib Loc. IPR has successfully rehabilitated over one million feet of pipe for both public and private sector clients across the United States.
Hearthside Food Solutions
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: May 2009
Hearthside Food Solutions, is a leading contract manufacturer of specialty food products, such as granola bars, croutons, cereals, popcorn, and snack mixes, that supplies North America’s leading consumer product companies.
gloStream videogloStream
Based in: Troy, MI
Sector: Healthcare Information Technology
Date Invested: May 2009
gloStream provides physicians and healthcare facilities with electronic medical record and practice management solutions delivered and supported through a nationwide network of local technology partners. gloStream products are secure, easy-to-use applications and the only integrated EMR/PM solutions on the market embedded with Microsoft Office. Through a simple user interface, robust voice recognition technology, and single-click access to all patient information, gloStream products help doctors improve patient care by streamlining workflow and creating efficiencies in office administration. gloEMR™ version 4.0 from gloStream is a CCHIT Certified℠ product for CCHIT Ambulatory EHR 2007.
Ranir
Based in: Grand Rapids, MI
Sector: Consumer Products
Date Invested: April 2009
Ranir manufactures and markets consumer oral care products in North America. It offers manual and power toothbrushes, dental floss and flossers, night protectors, tooth whiteners, trial-sized products, travel kits, and other oral care accessories to retailers as private label products as well as to contract manufacturing customers as branded products.
Pioneer Surgical Technology videoPioneer Surgical Technology
Based in: Marquette, MI
Sector: Medical Device Manufacturing
Date Invested: December 2008
Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc., headquartered in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic medical device firm with a full line of cutting-edge motion preservation devices, either available commercially in Europe or under clinical evaluation in the U.S. Pioneer’s signature articulating P3™ Technology — Pioneer PEEK-on-PEEK, in its NuBac™ disc arthroplasty system, BacJac™ interspinous decompression system, and NuNec™ artificial cervical disc, is the most technologically advanced in the industry. Currently, Pioneer offers a diverse portfolio of next generation spinal fusion devices. Pioneer’s focus on innovation has resulted in over 100 U.S. and Foreign patents with numerous patents pending. The company established a Biologics Division following two acquisitions in 2007. Pioneer Orthobiologics is developing a rich pipeline of products indicated for a variety of spinal and orthopaedic applications. Pioneer focuses on developing products which are easier and faster for the surgeon, cost effective for the health care system, and provide better patient outcomes.
EcoSynthetix
Based in: Lansing, MI
Sector: Clean Technology
Date Invested: November 2008
EcoSynthetix Inc., established in 1996, specializes in the R&D, process scale-up, manufacturing and commercialization of biobased technologies. The EcoSynthetix technology platforms are best described as clean technologies because they provide biobased products derived from renewable resources that have a positive impact on the environment. The renewable raw material feedstocks significantly reduce North America’s dependence on foreign-based fossil fuels, and reduce the end-user’s carbon footprint. The Company’s biopolymer nanoparticle technology platform provides EcoSphere® biolatex products as replacements for petroleum-based paper and paperboard coating binders such as SB and SA Latex. At substitution levels up to 50%, the biolatex products are comparable or superior to traditional petroleum-based alternatives and can be specifically formulated to deliver previously unattainable benefits at a lower delivered cost to industrial users.
In addition, the Company has developed EcoMer®, a polymerizable sugar monomer, and a line of EcoStix® sugar-acrylic PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) products for label and specialty adhesives applications.
The InvestMichigan! Growth Capital Fund exited its investment in EcoSynthetix in January 2012.
