To Jake Sigal, his company's win at the
Automation Alley's 12th Annual Awards Gala didn't speak to his start-up's strengths as much as what's possible in the region.
Sigal, founder & CEO of
Livio Radio, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. Sigal started the Internet radio start-up n 2008 with a $10,000 loan from his parents. He turned that fledgling start-up into a venture-backed company based in Ferndale and one of the leaders in the automotive Internet radio sector.
"That's a message for the entire southeast Michigan area that innovation can come from anywhere," Sigal says. "We're proud of that."
Among the other winners at the gala were:
Automation Alley Member of the Year: Laura Oliveto, senior vice president for business development at Troy-based
Basso Design Group
Technology Company of the Year:
GalaxE.Solutions in downtown Detroit
Global Trader of the Year: Dan Kocks, CEO of Grand Blanc-based
Global Impact Group
Educational Program of the Year: Fifth Core World Language & Culture Program at
Oxford Community Schools
Source: Jake Sigal, founder & CEO of Livio Radio
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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