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July 18, 2019
Huron Capital's Albireo Energy Buys Alabama Controls
By Mark Scott
Huron Capital formed Albireo in 2014 with the goal of building an industry leader in the fast-growing U.S. market for energy efficiency, building automation and energy management.
Local Deals Detroit
July 18, 2019
Dave Zilko On Selling Garden Fresh Gourmet
Dave Zilko talks about how the Garden Fresh Gourmet deal got done, the emotional toll that dealmaking can take and the move Campbell’s made earlier this year to sell the business.
July 16, 2019
Chemical, TCF Deal Receives Regulatory Approval
The combined company is expected to have over $46 billion in total assets and be a top 10 bank in the Midwest based on deposit market share.
July 9, 2019
Don Nystrom On Dealmaking Pitfalls
Don Nystrom, CEO of Dynamic Aerospace and Defense, shares his insights into the common mistakes to avoid in the dealmaking process.
July 1, 2019
Fisher Building Owners Close On $36M Refi Loan
The deal provides New York-based HFZ Capital and The Platform, a private development firm in Detroit, with money to knock out prior debt on the building, according to a statement on the UC Funds website, clearing the way for preservation work.
July 1, 2019
Huron Capital Leverages Growing Number Of Independent Sponsors
Independent sponsors are a growing part of the M&A landscape, and Detroit’s Huron Capitalis taking advantage of the deal opportunities they provide, says Gretchen Perkins, business development partner.
June 27, 2019
Be Sure You Can Manage Your Capital Before You Take It
Competition is strong among financial institutions engaged in M&A activity, which creates risk for companies looking to make a deal, says says Richard C. Hampson, state president and head of commercial banking at Citizens Bank, Michigan.
June 26, 2019
StockX Attains Unicorn Status After Record Michigan VC Raise
The company also hired eBay executive Scott Cutler as its new CEO, succeeding co-founder Josh Luber, who will continue to serve on the executive leadership team and board.
June 24, 2019
Gores Forms JV To Redevelop Palace Of Auburn Hills Land
Schostak Brothers will serve as the lead partner and manage the future mixed-use development, which is expected to include corporate office, research & development and technology companies. The Palace was the home of Detroit’s NBA franchise from 1988 to 2017.
June 20, 2019
James Tolston’s handshake deal pays off big
How the Detroit entrepreneur took a handshake deal to build North American Assemblies and then buy it from 14 stockholders — 13 of whom didn't want to sell.
June 19, 2019
Capital One buys Detroit online luxury retailer Jewel
The bank holding company says the acquisition of the online luxury retailer will add to its efforts to develop tools that help customers make smarter financial decisions.
June 13, 2019
Bain Sells Impact Fitness to Morgan Stanley Capital Partners
Impact Fitness operates 29 Planet Fitness clubs across Michigan, Indiana, British Columbia and Ontario. It was founded by Chris Klebba in 2006 with the opening of the first Planet Fitness club in the Greater Detroit market.
June 13, 2019
Woodward Angels Ready To Spark Entrepreneurial Growth
Lauren Hoffman of Woodward Angels and Tim Parker of Grand Angels talk about their effort to make connections and spark more early-stage entrepreneurial growth in Southeast Michigan.
June 12, 2019
Spring Labs Raises $23M in Series A Funding for Auto Loan Blockchain Work
The round was led by GreatPoint Ventures out of San Francisco with significant participation from existing investors, including August Capital, as well as GM Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Detroit’s General Motors.
June 7, 2019
Trevco Acquires California Print-on-demand Company
Trevco works with licensors such as Warner Bros., Hasbro and Paramount Pictures to manufacture consumer products and create digital e-commerce campaigns.
June 6, 2019
Arsenal’s Maria Thompson: Investors Want Businesses That Solve Problems
Investors aren’t looking for unique business opportunities, says Arsenal venture partner Maria Thompson. They want business models that solve problems, preferably big ones.
May 30, 2019
RSM'S Mike Dingwall: Why You Need Professional Sell-Side Due Diligence
RSM's Mike Dingwall discusses sell-side strategies that can set you up for positive outcome in the sale of your business.
May 29, 2019
Super C Group buys 190 salons from Regis
The salons being sold and refranchised are currently branded as Famous Hair, Best Cuts, Fiesta Salons, First Choice Haircutters and BoRics Hair Care. They will be converted to Supercuts and Cost Cutters over the next several months.
May 24, 2019
Gilbert completes sale of Greektown Casino for $1B
VICI Properties bought the land and real estate assets of the property for about $700 million, while Penn National Gaming bought the operating assets for about $300 million.
May 23, 2019
A good M&A strategy starts with a compelling story
M&A advisor Joseph Valentic explains why a good M&A strategy starts with a good story, but also needs a solid team and attention to detail.
May 22, 2019
NASCAR Buying ISC, Michigan International Speedway In $2B Deal
Acquisition will give the auto racing sanctioning and operating company control of more than a dozen raceways, including Michigan International Speedway.
May 20, 2019
Clinc raises $52 million Series B round to scale AI platform
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Clinc, which is developing a conversational AI platform, has raised a $52 million Series B, with investments from Drive Capital, Insight Partners, DFJ Growth, Hyde Park Venture
May 20, 2019
Huron-backed Pueblo Makes Fourth Add-On Acquisition
Huron Capital acquired Pueblo in December 2017 to pursue a buy-and-build strategy in the commercial HVAC market in the southwestern U.S.
May 16, 2019
PlanetM Awards More Than $440K In Grants To Five Mobility Startups
PlanetM Mobility Grants also provide aid to mobility startups and corporations to test, validate and prove out new technologies on Michigan roadways
May 14, 2019
Pipeline Angels: Driving change in Detroit’s angel investor community
Kerry Ann Rockquemore and Pipeline Angels bring needed guidance to help young entrepreneurs shape their vision and target markets that offer a better chance for success.
May 9, 2019
Charles Huebner Digs Deep To Make Investments Deals Work For Clients
The founder of Pointe Capital Management talks about the forces that drove the launch of his investment management firm and the value of being a dealmaking sleuth.
May 8, 2019
GM In Talks To Sell Ohio Assembly Plant
Once closed, work could begin immediately to prepare the facility for production of electric vehicles developed by Cincinnati-based Workhorse Group.
May 7, 2019
GM Cruise Lands $1.15B In Funding From New, Existing Backers
The funding comes from a group comprised of institutional investors — including funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. — and existing partners General Motors, SoftBank Vision Fund and Honda.
May 7, 2019
ASX Launches Seed Equity Round to Fund Air Travel Revolution
Proceeds will be used to help the aviation technology startup acquire key automotive EV technology, build a series of full-scale prototypes and initiate Federal Aviation Administration certification.
May 3, 2019
Mobility and technology are driving automotive M&A
EY's Brad Hehl assesses the dealmaking landscape in the automotive space and what lies ahead for M&A activity in 2019.
May 1, 2019
Denso leads $20M Series A funding round for micromobility startup
The world’s second-largest mobility supplier has taken a stake in Bond Mobility to help the world’s only speed eBike sharing company develop an urban transportation strategy.
April 30, 2019
TriMas buys Taplast, second Italian acquisition in 6 months
The move is the second Italian acquisition in the past six months for the Bloomfield Hills-based company as it seeks to accelerate the growth of its packaging platform.
April 29, 2019
Three Michigan health systems combine to build, operate $48M laundry facility
Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Medicine and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System are collaborating in a major economic investment in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood.
April 25, 2019
How Don Nystrom Builds Dynamic Aerospace Through Acquisitions
The CEO explains how he found a company that wasn’t even on the market — and turned it into a great acquisition.
April 24, 2019
Ford invests $500M in EV Truck Startup Rivian
Ford Motor Co. has made a $500 million equity investment in Plymouth-based Rivian and plans to use the company’s platform to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio.
April 19, 2019
Chris Rizik: Honesty Is The Best Policy When Pitching VCs
Chris Rizik shares his insight on how to make a better pitch to investors, as well as the growth opportunities that exist in Detroit’s VC community.
April 18, 2019
ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference Photo Gallery
The Westin Book Cadillac was the site of Detroit's biggest CEO-focused dealmakers event on April 11. The ASPIRE Dealmakers Conference featured panel discussions with some of Detroit's top dealmakers, as well as extensive networking opportunities to meet with entrepreneurs, investors and advisers who make deals happen in metro Detroit.
April 15, 2019
Magic Plus acquires Michigan State Fairgrounds
Magic Johnson and Joel Ferguson's Magic Plus has closed its acquisition of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds property on Detroit's Woodward Avenue.
April 12, 2019
How to manage a portfolio after selling your business
Investing is a good way to stay in the game after you’ve sold your business. But the transition from business owner to ‘investor’ can be jarring if you don’t adjust your expectations.
April 12, 2019
Nuspire to merge with Denver-based GBprotect
Nuspire is acquiring Denver’s GBprotect in a move intended to help both managed security services companies better respond to today’s evolving threat landscape.
April 5, 2019
Huron Capital’s Brian Demkowicz: Dealmaking is back in Detroit
The PE firm's co-founder explores the method that fuels his dealmaking productivity and the role Midwestern values play in the firm’s success.
April 5, 2019
Dan Gilbert's JACK Entertainment to sell Cincinnati casino, track
Hard Rock International will handle operations at both properties. VICI will own the land and will enter into triple-net leased fee agreement with Hard Rock International.
April 2, 2019
Lear to buy Xevo in $320M deal
The $320 million deal will combine Seattle-based Xevo's e-commerce vehicle platform technology with Southfield-based Lear's expertise in electronic systems.
April 1, 2019
Fifth Eye raises $11.5M Series A round
The Ann Arbor-based medical device software company will used the funds to secure FDA clearance of of its first product, support clinical studies and enable commercial launch of the product.
April 1, 2019
Kellogg to sell Keebler, Famous Amos brands for $1.3B
Kellogg Co. is selling selected cookies, fruit and fruit-flavored snacks, pie crusts, and ice cream cones businesses to the global confectionary company Ferrero Group and its related companies for $1.3 billion in cash as it continues to refocus its brand portfolio.
April 1, 2019
Strength Capital sells ARCH Global to NYC PE firm
CEO Eli Crotzer and the rest of the ARCH senior management team will continue operating the manufacturer of precision cutting tools, precision machined industrial components and medical implants and instruments.
March 29, 2019
Chip McClure finds deals in unloved world of Tier 2, Tier 3 suppliers
By founding Michigan Capital Advisors, he has created a private equity firm that addresses the lack of access to capital that prevents suppliers from keeping up with customer demand and diversifying beyond the auto sector.
March 26, 2019
'Merger of equals' will create $1.3B banking institution
ChoiceOne Financial Services, the parent company of ChoiceOne Bank, and County Bank, the parent company of Lakestone Bank & Trust, are merging to form the 12th-largest bank holding company in Michigan.
March 26, 2019
University Lending Group buys assets of Huron Valley Financial
University Bancorp Inc. subsidiary University Lending Group has acquired certain assets of Huron Valley Financial Inc., a privately held mortgage banking firm also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
March 22, 2019
M&A due diligence: Understanding cost, risk and liability
There are no mergers of equals, says Howard & Howard’s Joseph DeVito, Esq. But effective due diligence can help your business get the best possible deal. Here’s what you need to know about cost, risk and liability when preparing for a merger.
March 20, 2019
Horizon Global Corp. gets liquidity injection with $51M loan
Horizon Global Corp. has closed a new financing agreement to provide additional liquidity and has amended its existing term debt agreement to relax financial covenants.
March 19, 2019
Continental Services nabs Sterling Services for 5th acquisition in 18 months
Continental Services, Michigan’s largest food management company, has acquired Canton-based Sterling Services, creating Michigan’s largest founder-owned contract dining management company.
March 14, 2019
Is a dividend recap right for you?
Greenwich Capital Group's Andrew Dickow shares his thoughts on dividend recapitalization strategy and how to find the right path to meet your needs.
March 12, 2019
Huron-backed Ronnoco Coffee gulps down add-on
Huron Capital’s platform company Ronnoco Coffee has acquired Beverage Solutions Group, expanding its national footprint from 35 to 43 states and provides additional distributor relationships.The deal
March 11, 2019
Aspire dealmakers conference coming to Detroit April 11
The Aspire middle-market dealmakers conference will be at the Westin Book Cadillac on April 11. This conference features an all-star lineup of entrepreneurs, investors and adviser.
March 8, 2019
Atlas Oil founder Sam Simon: How to maximize your deals
The master dealmaker talks about his humble beginnings, his approach to investment opportunities and the importance of being a disciplined dealmaker.
March 6, 2019
Gilbert part of Detroit's first angel investor group
Membership in Woodward Angels requires a minimum investment of $25,000 per calendar year in Detroit-area startups.
March 6, 2019
Cancer support organizations merge
Two cancer support organizations, Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit and The Lake House, are merging to continue, broaden and strengthen support for families facing cancer throughout metro Detroit.The Lake
March 5, 2019
RHP pays $170M for 17 manufactured home sites
Farmington Hills-based RHP Properties, an owner and operator of manufactured home communities, has acquired 17 communities in five states.The $170 million acquisition includes 3,177 sites in five
March 1, 2019
Forward-thinking investors are monetizing the movement of people, products
As self-driving cars become a force on American roadways, Blue Victor Capital's Sherwin Prior is already looking ahead at new ways to leverage autonomous vehicle technology.
March 1, 2019
Masco may shed cabinetry and window businesses
The units account for 20 percent of the company's sales and 10 percent of operating profit.
March 1, 2019
Diversified to buy 9 Chicago-area Buffalo Wild Wings
The units being acquired generated $32.7 million in revenue and $4.5 million of EBITDA in 2018,
February 26, 2019
Campbell's selling Garden Fresh, but not to Aronson
Campbell Soup says it will sell the Ferndale-Based salsa maker to an affiliate of Fountain of Health USA, a maker of hummus, dips, salads and other products.
February 25, 2019
Lineage Logistics buying rival for a reported $1B+
The deal to buy Preferred Freezer Services unites two of the industry's largest companies.
