Mitech News Podcast http://www.mitechnews.com Mitech News Podcast SmartStart Class Deadline March 12 http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11535 DETROIT - If you want to apply for the next TechTown SmartStart entrepreneur education class, you'd better hurry. The deadline is March 12, for a class starting 10 days later. ArtsImpact, Creative Business Forum At TechTown http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11534 DETROIT - TechTown will work more closely with the creative class in two news programs called ArtsImpact and the Creative Business Forum, which kick off March 23. FastTrac Ticket For Feb. 15 Program http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11407 DETROIT - Wayne State University's FastTrac entrepreneur training program is still looking for a few participants for its class beginning Feb. 15. But Rene Kelly, the program manager, said you have to act fast to join this free class. TechTown 2 Building Now Leasing http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11406 DETROIT - Wayne State University's TechTown is now leasing space in its its new Tech 2 building, the former Dalgleish Cadillac building. If you want more information, Real Estate and Facilities Director Henry Argasinski provides the details this special Newsmaker Interview. GLEQ SmartZone Award Worth $100,000 http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11366 ANN ARBOR - Diane Durance, executive director of the Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest, said she has a new business competition that will award a cash prize of $100,000 in June. The GLEQ awards competition is open to all Michigan entrepreneurs that register to participate by March 5, but selection to compete for the new SmartZone Award requires a SmartZone sponsor. Current Motor Co 1st Place GLEQ Emerging Business http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11365 ANN ARBOR - Current Motor Company, an Ann Arbor-based company that designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and scooters, won the top prize in the fall 2009 Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest business-plan competition and a cash prize of $5000 in the Emerging Business category. Global Energy Innovations 1st Place GLEQ New Business http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11364 ANN ARBOR - Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest New Business Category winner was Global Energy Innovations, a Flint-based Kettering University spin-out that commercializes technology to accelerate the transition to the hydrogen and fuel-cell economy. GEI won $2000. RealKidz 2nd Place GLEQ Emerging Company http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11363 ANN ARBOR - Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest Emerging Company Second Place Award - $2,500. RealKidz, Inc. Represented by president, Merrill Guerra, Ypsilanti-based RealKidz addresses the issue of childhood obesity by offering plus-size clothing to young teens and a social network of support and information for parents. Nalu Solar 2nd Place GLEQ New Business http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11362 ANN ARBOR - Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest New Business Idea Second Place Award - $1,000. Nalu Solar Software. Represented by president, Jennifer McLaughlin, Ypsilanti-based Nalu Solar Software provides web-based software offering operational support to photovoltaic contractors. IX Innovations GLEQ 3rd Place New Business http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=11361 ANN ARBOR - Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest New Business Idea Third Place Award - $500. IX Innovations/Pocket Pico. Represented by COO, Greg Marek, and CEO, Ian Dailey, Ann Arbor-based iXInnovations produces a portable electronic instrument called the Pocket Pico for use in developing low power devices.