Displaying items by tag: small business
Hospitality industry still struggling through staffing, supply chain shortages
A recent survey of nearly 150 Michigan restaurant and hotel owners shows that most are still struggling with inadequate staffing and supply chain disruptions, and almost all employers are raising wages for their workers to address staffing shortages.
GR software firm specializing in wire transfer fraud protection raises $12.5M
CertifID LLC, a Grand Rapids company that developed software to protect money wire transfers in real estate transactions, has closed on $12.5 million in growth capital.
Greenleaf Capital invests $10M to scale up Kalamazoo fund for entrepreneurs; new committee to focus on women in leadership
A Kalamazoo-based investment fund that also looks to cultivate and support a new generation of entrepreneurs who want to own a business will use a $10 million investment to scale operations.
Holland startup incubator offers much-need physical space for entrepreneurs
HOLLAND — The launch of a brick-and-mortar startup incubator in downtown Holland is the latest effort to cultivate a thriving tech community in the lakeshore city.
‘Big Ben’ Wallace strengthens business ties to West Michigan
Most basketball fans in Michigan recognize Ben Wallace as an iconic figure in Detroit Pistons lore. The 6-foot, 9-inch center helped lead the Pistons to an NBA title in 2004, just one highlight in the four-time all-star’s career. Since retiring in 2012, Wallace has adjusted to life after basketball. His business pursuits also have tied him to West Michigan after he recently bought a stake in Kalamazoo-based Green Door Distilling Co. and also partnered with Rair Cannabis of Michigan, which maintains a location in Lowell, to develop a brand of cannabis products called ‘Undrafted.’ MiBiz caught up with the Hall of Fame player to talk business, basketball and his love for Grand Rapids.
PE-backed Elevator Service Inc. continues Ohio expansion with latest acquisition
GRAND RAPIDS — Elevator Service Inc., a provider of elevator services for a growing coverage area throughout the Midwest, continued to expand its geographical footprint with another acquisition.
Start Garden opens registration for $300K startup pitch competition
Start Garden Inc. is now accepting pitches from entrepreneurs competing in The 100, a business competition with $300,000 in funding for startups.
Plainwell asphalt service provider Tustin’s sells to individual investor
PLAINWELL — Ownership of asphalt maintenance service company Tustin’s Asphalt Sealing Inc. is changing hands.
MiBiz on WOOD-TV8: Siciliano’s Market transitions to new ownership
A Grand Rapids staple for craft beverages and food, Siciliano’s Market Inc. is selling to new owners after nearly 30 years on the city’s west side.
‘BUSINESS WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS’: Siciliano’s Market selling to new owners
GRAND RAPIDS — Siciliano’s Market Inc., the family-owned specialty store and launching pad for countless West Michigan breweries, is changing ownership after a decades-long run selling craft beverages and foods and the equipment used to make them.
Couple expands business with second storefront in hopes of lifting downtown GR retail scene
GRAND RAPIDS — A West Michigan couple who launched their business through online platform Etsy in 2014 is now preparing to open their second brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Grand Rapids.
Century Technology Group portfolio companies to merge, rebrand as MindSpring
Inno-Versity LLC and Th3rd Coast Digital Solutions, two portfolio companies of Ada-based family office Century Technology Group Inc., will merge and rebrand as MindSpring LLC, company officials announced.
PE-backed elevator services provider acquires City Elevator of Michigan owner
GRAND RAPIDS — Elevator services provider Elevator Service LLC continued its growth in the Midwest through a recent acquisition.
Lambert & Co. purchases minority stake in Detroit PR firm Van Dyke Horn
Public relations and integrated communications firm Lambert & Co. has entered into a new strategic partnership with the largest minority-owned public relations agency in Michigan.
GR marketing firm Deksia merges with longtime Portland marketing agency Anvil Media
Grand Rapids marketing agency Deksia LLC has merged with Anvil Media, a digital marketing agency in Portland, Ore.
Coopersville environmental consulting firm files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy; plans sale to competitor
COOPERSVILLE — A West Michigan-based environmental consulting firm has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it positions to sell the company to a competitor in the industry.
VNN to merge operations with Florida-based educational tech, media firm
GRAND RAPIDS — VNN Inc., a developer of digital tools and media solutions for high school athletic programs, is merging with a tech company that has a long history of servicing the K-12 and college education markets.
New Standard opening first dispensary in Grand Rapids near Medical Mile
GRAND RAPIDS — New Standard plans to open its first dispensary in Grand Rapids with a new building in the city’s Midtown district near Medical Mile.
State announces $409M grant program for businesses that lost revenue during pandemic
A new $409 million state grant program will be available starting March 1 for Michigan businesses that experienced financial hardship as a result of state-ordered shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Senate passes plan to reduce corporate, individual income tax rates
LANSING — The state Senate has advanced legislation to reduce the personal and corporate income taxes in Michigan, a proposal that contrasts Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pitch for targeted election-year tax cuts.
Video Q&A: Cybersecurity expert discusses best practices, emerging trends
Richard Maloley, senior security consultant with Grand Rapids-based software and I.T. firm OST, discusses best practices for small and mid-sized businesses to confront cybersecurity breaches and threats.
Startup eyes major ‘infrastructure play’ with renewable energy-powered cell towers
A Brighton-based startup has lofty goals to help build out a nationwide 5G network that combines renewable energy, high-speed telecommunications and advanced mobility.
Native News Online selected to join national BIPOC media network
GRAND RAPIDS — Native News Online, a Grand Rapids-based, Indigenous-led news outlet covering tribal issues nationally, has been selected as the 10th member of URL Media, a national network of media organizations owned and operated by Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
State prepares to deploy $237M for small businesses through loans, VC fund investments
Nearly $237 million in federal funding coming to the state is planned to support small businesses in Michigan through lending initiatives and equity investments in venture capital funds.
Brick Road Pizza Co. ‘killed’ by COVID after 13 years in business
GRAND RAPIDS — The owners of Brick Road Pizza Co. announced today that the family-owned staple will be closing its doors Sunday after 13 years in business on Wealthy Street.
Digital consultant OST to expand Cloud services with latest acquisition
GRAND RAPIDS — Digital and I.T. consultant OST has expanded its Cloud service capabilities through a recent acquisition.
Michigan community banks leverage tens of millions in capital raises
The $20 million in capital that West Shore Bank Corp. raised toward the end of 2021 will go to support further commercial loan growth.
Family-owned businesses feel better positioned to adapt in pandemic
After nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, smaller family-owned businesses are generally better positioned to overcome labor and supply chain challenges than non-family-owned companies.
Software developer SPARK Business Works to expand reach in Texas after acquiring digital marketing firm
KALAMAZOO — SPARK Business Works in Kalamazoo has acquired Houston, Texas-based digital marketing agency Convergent1.
Small biz advocates seek support to boost labor participation, weather supply chain challenges
Small business advocates are calling for more support from the state Legislature to help companies that they say are not recovering at the same rate as other sectors in Michigan’s economy.