AlphaTherm — a Farmington Hills-based research and development company specializing in electrical heating, cooling and heat exchange devices — has been accepted into Automation Alley’s entrepreneurship program, the 7Cs™. As a client company, AlphaTherm will receive assistance and guidance from Automation Alley’s entrepreneurship team to help accelerate the growth of the company.
Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association, launched the 7Cs™ program in December with a specific emphasis on helping advanced manufacturing startups across Southeast Michigan. The program includes intense coaching and a commitment from Automation Alley to invest resources and capital.
AlphaTherm utilizes temperature transfer technology to create windshield, headlamp and radar cleaning systems. The company has also developed and delivered fuel cell heating systems to a major OEM. The company’s patented Heated Wash windshield washer fluid heating system offers consumers both safety and convenience at an affordable price, while using a minimal amount of energy produced by the vehicle’s electrical system to remove frost, ice, snow, bugs, glare and other debris. All of the company’s Heated Wash products are assembled in Farmington Hills.
The technology has been applied to more than 1.5 million OEM units, and AlphaTherm says that while the company has been focused on the original equipment car and light truck markets, the company is now targeting the heavy truck and after market industries.
“AlphaTherm is excited to be part of Automation Alley and looks forward to networking with other members in the program. As much as AlphaTherm is confident in its area of expertise, we realize that there is plenty to learn,” said AlphaTherm General Manager Joe Trubak. “Based on the diverse disciplines represented by the other members of Automation Alley, AlphaTherm hopes to share in an exchange of ideas that will benefit everyone.”
The Automation Alley 7Cs™ program includes additional features to help client companies gain traction and first customers. The 7Cs™ First Look is a collection of two-minute sales videos that promote each 7Cs™ client company and showcase their products and services. The videos give potential customers a “first look” at the innovative products and services offered by the technology startups.
Through the 7Cs™ First Match, Automation Alley has partnered with more than 20 local chief innovation officers at major automotive and manufacturing suppliers to present technologies developed by 7Cs™ participants, giving the suppliers access to innovations that could take their businesses to the next level and giving entrepreneurs exposure and access to potential business opportunities.
“We are delighted to have AlphaTherm as a client and look forward to assisting them, specifically through our First Match program with our Tier I and OEM community,” said Tom Kelly, Automation Alley COO, who oversees the association’s entrepreneurship programming.
Automation Alley has also partnered with a number of respected vendors throughout Southeast Michigan to offer specific training opportunities and resources to clients in the 7Cs™ program, including Sandler Sales Training, icube™, Brooks Kushman, Doeren Mayhew and P3.
The program includes up to a $25,000 directed investment from Automation Alley in each company accepted into the program. The $25,000 is used to cover the costs of the program. Companies accepted into the program are required to repay the $25,000 at the end of two years, thus making the funding available for investment in additional companies.
There is also an opportunity for each of the accepted companies to receive up to an additional $100,000 in investment from the Automation Alley Pre-Seed Fund after they complete the program. Companies complete the program at their own pace but are expected to accelerate to commercialization within 12-24 months.
The Automation Alley 7Cs™ program is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
For more information on the Automation Alley 7Cs™ program, or to apply, contact Automation Alley at 800-427-5100 or info@automationalley.com. For more information on AlphaTherm, visit alphathermusa.com/.
Source: Automation Alley