What’s happening: A locally owned cooperative grocer and a tech startup that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) took home the top prizes at this year’s Scale Up North Awards, demonstrating that businesses making use of methods tried and true, as well as those harnessing the future, are thriving in the Grand Traverse region. The third annual Scale Up North Awards took place at the City Opera House in Traverse City on May 5. Economic development organization Traverse Connect organizes the annual competition, which recognizes those businesses scaling up in the Grand Traverse region.
Winners’ circle: Taking home the 2022 Emerging Business Award is the Traverse City-based FirstIgnite, the growing tech firm that utilizes AI to connect companies, consultants, and investors with academic experts and university research. The prize package includes a $2,500 cash prize and more than $20,000 in in-kind business services, including consulting services from Hagerty, a spot at the 20Fathoms co-working space, and more.
Winning the 2022 Hagerty Scaling Business Award is Oryana Community Cooperative, a co-op grocer locally owned and based in Traverse City. The growing grocer celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. The grand prize nets the co-op a $5,000 cash prize and a prize package valued at more than $41,000, including in-kind business services that include consulting and professional development services, employment law counseling, and more.
What they’re saying: “Traverse City can...
WASHINGTON (TNND) — CVS Pharmacy and several of its affiliated companies agreed to pay $315 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging they filled unlawful opioid prescriptions and then sought reimburs...