Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator Announces Investment in Autaza
- In the News
- October 20, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2020
JACKSON, Mich. – The Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator, powered by Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator and the Lean Rocket Lab, announced its $110,000 investment in a startup specializing in computer vision and artificial intelligence for industrial inspection during their October 2 Manufacturing Innovation Day Pitch Event.
Autaza, based in Brazil with a subsidiary in Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers custom software and equipment used for product inspection in the automotive, aerospace and glass sectors. For demands that ready-made solutions are not suitable for, Autaza carries out proof of concept and development in partnership with the companies they work with.
“The investment was designed by specialists from different areas of expertise, providing Autaza with a global and multidisciplinary view of our expansion strategy as we continue to grow in the US market from our Michigan offices,” said Renan Padovani, president and CEO of Autaza Group.
Autaza was referred to the program from Ann Arbor SPARK, who was influential in attracting the company from Brazil to Michigan. The Accelerator chose to invest in Autaza because of their cutting-edge technology, leadership team and strong market position.
“Among the many benefits of the Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator is access to seed money,” said Tom Kelly, executive director and CEO of Automation Alley. “To entice a young, international company like Autaza to lay down roots in Michigan, it’s critical to have that added financial security.”
The seed money will be used to help establish a U.S. headquarters in Michigan and to support company growth among the state’s expansive manufacturing ecosystem.
“We’ve interacted with 200 applicants from over 20 countries and we really like the team and technology at Autaza,” said Brandon Marken, founder and CEO of the Lean Rocket Lab. “It’s cool to see that the accelerator is part of the equation with them hiring, investing and growing in Michigan.”
The mission of the Industry 4.0 Accelerator is to attract startups from around the world that are developing the next generation of manufacturing technologies. Manufacturing and technology startups that are accepted into the Accelerator will receive a combination of capital, programming, and contracted services from partner organizations. The Accelerator is planning to make another 12 investments within the next 24-36 months.
“Autaza’s technology represents an impressive set of solutions in an innovation white space that manufacturers are focused on which is automated inspection to avoid defects and rework costs,” said Dan Radomski, director of the Centrepolis Accelerator, on the Lawrence Tech campus in Southfield. “Our
Michigan manufacturing partners are already working with Autaza to implement their technology into their operations to bring about increased operational efficiency.”
To learn more about the Industry 4.0 Accelerator or to apply, visit https://www.i40accelerator.com/.
About Automation Alley
Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan's economy and accelerate innovation. Our programs give businesses a competitive advantage by helping them along every step of their digital transformation journey. We obsess over disruptive technologies like AI, the Internet of Things and automation, and work hard to make these complex concepts easier for companies to understand and implement. Visit automationalley.com.
About Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator
The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is accelerating the growth of Southeast Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, innovative hardware entrepreneurs and small manufacturers by providing access to funding, experts and key business and product development resources. Visit centrepolisaccelerator.com.
About Lean Rocket Lab
The Lean Rocket Lab is a Jackson, Michigan based business incubator and member of the state-wide MEDC SmartZone Business Incubator Ecosystem through an agreement with the Enterprise Group of Jackson County and the Blackman Township SmartZone. The Lab exists to offer entrepreneurial services and provides business validation, incubation and accelerator programming to manufacturing/technology focused startups and support high tech innovation in the State. Visit leanrocketlab.org.
About Autaza
Autaza is expert in solutions for industrial quality control through proprietary and patented technologies involving computer vision and artificial intelligence. The company develops software and equipment for inspection of products, customized according to the quality criteria of different industries. The system eliminates subjectivity in identifying and classifying defects, reducing cost and ensuring the quality of the final product. Visit autaza.com/en.
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