Imagination Creations Hair & Vintage celebrates decade of success
Submitted 11-18-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
As Imagination Creations approaches ten years of business, owner Heather McGartland shares what it takes to be successful and sustainable as an independent shop keeper.
Ever expanding Have Company to add gallery wall to giftshop
Submitted 11-04-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
The local retailer on South Division is collaborating with area builder and art collector Michael DeMaagd Rodriguez to curate a gallery style wall in the popular Division Avenue boutique.
Software developers win contest for innovative snow plow app
Submitted 10-21-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
A team of local software engineers have won the grand prize for Code Michigan 2014 with their snow plow data tracking application. The award of $15,000 will help the project move forward, yet much work remains to be done.
Innovation Central students chosen to attend APEC summit in Beijing
Submitted 10-07-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Three high school students from Grand Rapids Public Schools have been selected to to attend the APEC Finance Ministers Conference in Beijing this October.
Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses sets precedent for minority neighborhood revitalization
Submitted 09-23-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Jamiel Robinson is on a mission: by fostering dialog and raising awareness he hopes to elevate the black business community to viable and sustainable heights.
ArtLustr app expands accessibility to gallery art purchases
Submitted 09-09-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
The ArtLustr app is designed to put pop up shows online and increase the efficacy of purchasing power.
Proper Soda hops across country; expands sales to Canada, Australia
Submitted 08-26-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
In little over a year, independent startup Proper Soda has reached far beyond West Michigan. They're making inroads to markets on the west coast, across the Pacific and north of the border.
Local Double Up Food Bucks program first in country to go digital, reduce lost benefits
Submitted 08-12-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Fulton Street Farmers Market is part of a handful of markets participating in the Double Up Food Bucks push to transition from token payment method to electronic.
Blue 35 creates high tech office, conference spaces for rent
Submitted 07-29-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Blue 35 offers office and conference space for a day, a month or a year- and members then have access to Bluescape, a new technology that makes real time global connectivity possible.
Maker space fosters diversity, continues to encourage cross pollination
Submitted 07-15-2014 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
GR Makers space is a 9,000 square foot workshop/lab on the West Side that fosters collaboration and ingenuity.