Habitusliving.com

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• Surfaces Without Equal: The Many Sides of Austaron Surfaces
• Habitus Gift Guides – The Scents and Sounds of Christmas
• INDE.Awards 2022 Entries Officially Open
• Earth and Glass House
• The Functional Fusion of Prostoria

Surfaces Without Equal: The Many Sides of Austaron Surfaces Posted: 30 Nov 2021 07:35 PM PST Home interiors are often defined by their materials and surfaces. They not only provide an unlimited palette for creative expression, but they can also add functionality or make the space more sustainable. With a plethora of products on the market, designers have an almost infinite selection to choose from, but only a few truly expand what is possible with our built environment. Leading the way is Austaron Surfaces, an Australian family owned company bringing together a range of beautiful, technologically-advanced surfaces and finishes that are the highest quality of their kind – all under one roof. From benchtops to wall cladding, exterior facades to landscape design, Austaron Surfaces help create beautiful projects by giving flexibility for both interior and exterior applications. Their product range includes world-leading brands that can flow through the whole residential space, either as standout features on their own, or co-existing together in a multitude of settings. Staron® Solid Surfaces | Project by AM Interior Studio One such brand is Staron Solid Surface, a versatile material made of a blend of pure mineral and premium acrylic resin that performs to high standards in the kitchen, bathroom or any other part of the home. Manufactured by Lotte Chemical, Staron can be thermoformed into curves, be carved and illuminated, and is available in more than 90 colours. Alongside its immense design flexibility, this solid surface solution is highly durable, hygienic, non-toxic, renewable, repairable and able to deliver a seam-free finish. Mario Romano Walls The theme of limitless design potential continues with Mario Romano Walls, a collection of multi-dimensional walls that allow designers to create next-level aesthetics inside a home with its intricate detailing, complexity and texture. Designs are created by renowned Mario Romano in California, then carved into Staron Solid Surfaces, these walls come to life with an innovative manufacturing and engineering process, involving the latest in parametric computing and CNC machining technology. Mario Romano Walls and Staron Solid Surface are both Silica free and Group 1 certified to room fire testing AS5637.1. Mount Nebo Kitchen and Outdoor Living | Interior by Kim Duffin, Sublime Group | Fabricated by Solid Surface Innovations With an extraordinary material composition that has no equivalent within its category, Acrylic Couture also has the potential to elevate the aesthetics of any residential project. Designers can create playful light installations, striking feature walls, kitchen splashbacks and more with this collection of acrylic glass panels that showcase premium quality and ethically-sourced metallic fabrics, decorative particulates and feathers encased in a crystal clear high-quality acrylic glass. Combined with dramatic lighting, this material can achieve intensely radiant effects due to special nanoparticles in the acrylic glass, delivering a design statement like no other. Solar and Privacy Screening | Double Bay Residence II | SAOTA Architects in association with TKD Architects | Photography Adam Letch Pushing the boundaries of what is stylistically possible, Kaynemaile Architectural Mesh is a transformative material that can be used for ceiling features, interior screening and exterior facade applications. Like all of Austaron's products, Kaynemaile Architectural Mesh excels, the mesh is unlike any other offering in the world, with its series of polycarbonate rings that seamlessly interlink to form a modern chainmail fabric. Bringing more flexibility to interior design, Kaynemaile can be used to divide spaces while its open weave maintains transparency and airflow. On building exteriors, its unique material structure allows it to be used to provide solar shading and sun protection. At the same time, its light weight, strength and high flexibility enable an endless range of design options. Stewart House (aka 'Chain Mail') | Adam Taylor Architecture | Mount Maunganui, New Zealand | Photography: Marshall Masters Bold yet functional, Austaron Surfaces innovative product offering, which is supported by excellent customer service and their wealth of technical expertise, is the complete package, ensuring that designers are only limited by their imagination. Austaron Surfaces austaronsurfaces.com The post Surfaces Without Equal: The Many Sides of Austaron Surfaces appeared first on Habitusliving.com.

Habitus Gift Guides – The Scents and Sounds of Christmas Posted: 30 Nov 2021 05:43 PM PST We previously explored the sense of taste, looking at gift ideas for those who love cooking, hosting and dining. Now in our Habitus Gift Guides, we explore two senses that often spark a visceral response. A waft of a special aroma can instantly transport you to another place and time, and this collection of olfactory products is aimed at those who know this all too well.   The Raconteur As a perfumer focusing on Australian native botanicals, Craig Andrade, the man behind The Raconteur has captured the essence of a Christmas Down Under and packaged it up into two candles for the holiday season. "Early morning ocean swims, finding treasures in mossy rockpools and being embraced by the thick salty haze of summer.  Long lunches, the sparkle of citrus, seagrass and crisp wild herbs. Cedarwood backgammon sets and afternoon siestas in shady hammocks under the sway of the nor' easter.  As the evening birds call, there's a meander through the coastal woodland heath as you take in the amber glow of twilight hour from your favourite rocky perch. This is the magic scent of Xmas." And if an experience is more appealing to a loved one, you can book perfume and candle making masterclasses at The Embassy, the new home of The Raconteur – and where the inspiration for journeying through the senses was sparked. Find out more   Emilio by Markian Something extra special for the candle lover is Emilio by Markian – including a wick trimmer and candle snuffer on a slab of Marblo. The set adds an elegant and practical touch to those who love the ritual of lighting candles. Find out more   Ghostwares coffee pot The waft of freshly brewed coffee is one of life's simple pleasures. Make the daily ceremony of it even more intoxicating with a handmade stoneware coffee pour over by Melbourne-based ceramic studio Ghostwares. Find out more   Sphere Incense Burner by Addition Studio Carved in solid travertine, the Sphere Incense Burner by Addition Studio makes a bold statement for a design lover in your life. Weighing a hefty three kilograms, the two domes can be either be placed in a sphere or inverse to create a sculptural and functional design piece. Find out more   Kin North incense Australian brand Kin North is bringing the skill of Japanese incense making to life, in collaboration with Tokyo Kodo. The grounding and nostalgic scent features cedar, vetiver, nutmeg and cinnamon to fill your home with warmth. Find out more   Natch Essentials An Australian skincare brand focused on all-natural ingredients, Natch Essentials has a full range of products that all smell incredible. Find hand creams, hand wash and more, all packaged beautifully – it's a no brainer gift idea for even the most difficult people to buy for. Find out more   Vessels from Lightly Vases and planters in all shapes, colours and sizes by Australian brand Lightly are perfect for the budding florist or arborist in your life. Having just the right container for a fresh bunch of flowers can make any arrangement special. And there is nothing quite like the pop of colour, and undeniable scent, of fresh flowers at home. Find out more   WØRKS gift sets Bringing together Australian and Danish design and sustainability, WØRKS is the brainchild of Suze Raymond and Christoffer Kjærgård. Focused on creating high-quality products for the body and home, the selection of gift sets makes a delightful present for the hard to buy person in your life. Find out more   Sounds also have the power to transport, elevate mood and set just the right ambience.   Sonos portable speakers An amazing stocking filler, Sonos is renowned for its audio systems and the same technology can be found in its portable speakers. Versatile and practical, the Sonos Move can stream music, audiobooks, radio and more. Add in long battery life and a weather-resistant design and it's the ultimate outdoor toy. Find out more   Sony PS-HX500 record player For the audiophile who also has an eye for design, the Sony turntable is sleek and minimalist. Not only does it deliver on looks, but also functionality having received the iF Gold Award in 2017. It's an elegant record player that you'll hear your favourite albums with sublime clarity. Find out more   Beoplay A9 Speaker by Bang & Olufsen A speaker that doesn't need to hide, the Beoplay A9 was designed to be on display. Another design icon from Bang & Olufsen, the speaker does more than exude good looks, it also comes packed with the tech credentials for smooth, clean sounds anywhere in your home. Find out more   Nami Bed by Nau For sound sleep – the Nami bed is part of the new collection released by Australian design brand Nau, designed by Tom Fereday. Strong lines and warm timber define the collection and the bed is easily a standout. Treat yourself and the quiet sleep that comes with a delightful space to rest your head at night. Find out more Stay tuned as we journey through the senses with a range of products in the lead up to the festive season. – The post Habitus Gift Guides – The Scents and Sounds of Christmas appeared first on Habitusliving.com.

INDE.Awards 2022 Entries Officially Open Posted: 30 Nov 2021 02:36 PM PST Each year, the INDE.Awards provides a unique stage on which we can celebrate architecture and design's greatest achievements from the last 12 months. Encompassing the entire Indo-Pacific in its scope, the INDE.Awards are an opportunity to truly shine a light on the narratives, vernaculars and contexts that define us as a region, establishing a community brought together through the pursuit of design excellence. In 2021, the Awards welcomed their highest number of entrants, including some of the most outstanding projects from all corners of our region. The winners, shortlisters and alumni were celebrated in a landmark digital gala, where the full extent of the INDE community – and its place in our growing industry – was on show. Since then, our region has seen more evolution and more change, with social, environmental and geographical contexts shifting to create a space rich for architectural innovation and design finesse. It is against this background that the INDE.Awards returns for 2022 – ready to elevate the Indo Pacific's best onto the global stage. And so – entries for the 2022 INDE.Awards are officially open! If you or your team have worked across an outstanding and innovative project, we invite you to submit your work to the Awards and take your place in the INDE community. The 2022 awards are open for entries from 29th November 2021 until 10th March 2022 and can be entered by projects completed between 10th July, 2020 and 10th March, 2022. Enter now 2022 INDE.Awards categories include… The Building The Multi-Residential Building The Living Space The Work Space The Social Space The Retail Space The Learning Space The Health & Wellbeing Space The Design Studio The Influencer The Object The Prodigy The Luminary The Graduate We will also be celebrating our annual Best of the Best Award, to be adjudicated by the 2022 Jury on a live judging day. More information on categories and category criteria can be found here. The 2022 Program For 2022, the INDE.Awards is proud to present its most diverse jury since the program's inception, with selections made to cover the region's unique local and regional contexts. The Awards will also have dedicated juries to assess entries in both The Object and The Graduate, where the specificity of those entrants will be met by an expert panel in the relevant fields. The program will reach its crescendo on Thursday August 4th, with a black-tie Gala event in Melbourne, Australia and a simultaneous live stream sent across the globe. The 2022 INDE.Summit The 2022 INDE.Summit will be held as a virtual event on Wednesday August 3rd. More information, including the event schedule, speaker drop and ticket information, will be released soon! Enter the INDE.Awards Catch up on the 2021 Gala The post INDE.Awards 2022 Entries Officially Open appeared first on Habitusliving.com.

Earth and Glass House Posted: 30 Nov 2021 02:00 PM PST With a generosity of space that promotes a calmness within and a particular symbiosis between the lush landscape and the built form, this home is a veritable oasis in the city. Created as a weekend retreat to entertain friends and family, Earth and Glass House is the epitome of luxurious living. Located in a suburb of New Delhi, India, the home is substantial, situated on one half of a two-acre site. The home has been built from three construction systems: load-bearing rammed earth walls, a mild steel framework, and exposed RCC slabs. Wrapping around the façade are hand-operable cedar fins that help with ventilation flow while diffusing the light. Designed by Sidhartha Talwar, principal of Studio Lotus, there is every type of amenity and facility in this home. However it's the architecture and use of authentic and local materials that set this house apart. The principles of Vastu (a traditional Indian system of architecture) have been incorporated in the planning of the design.   The first view of the house from the driveway sets the impressive tone, where a monumental, ten-metre-long cantilevered volume rests on two V-shaped columns and a load-bearing rammed earth wall. Inside, the entrance is no less dramatic, with a double-height, sky-lit courtyard and helical staircase with handcrafted brass rail that dominates the ground floor. Straight ahead the powder room, guest suite and study are situated at right angles to the public spaces comprising living and dining rooms, kitchen and utility areas. These entertaining rooms have been designed as a pavilion and there is a panoramic glazed wall that visually connects the outside with the inside. Upstairs are three bedroom suites each with its own dressing room and ensuite. Interconnecting walkways and expansive garden terraces are set inbetween the bedrooms, which overlook the landscaped grounds below. Encapsulating the essence of the home, Talwar reflects, "The house converges around the idea of living in harmony with nature, facilitating fluid transitions and providing its residents with a sanctuary to unwind in and connect with the outdoors." While the architecture makes a grand statement with its sweeping exaggerated forms, the interior design is pared back and refined. Inside the focus turns to creating a more human scale with various bespoke and intimate places for relaxation for the residents. The materiality of metal, timber and stone informs the colour palette and the earthy tones of caramels, browns and cream in cane and timber furnishings brings warmth to the interior design. Skylights and the long glazed wall allow light to penetrate and proximity to the green of the landscaping is ever-present. Earth and Glass House is an extraordinary home with impressive features. The vision of the architect and the client has been realised through thoughtful and detailed execution, where handcrafted and artisanal elements shine through. The post Earth and Glass House appeared first on Habitusliving.com.

The Functional Fusion of Prostoria Posted: 30 Nov 2021 11:00 AM PST Pushing the boundaries of design, while creating highly functional and covetable pieces, Croatian-based brand Prostoria continues to collaborate with designers and design collectives doing things a little differently. Founded in 2010, Prostoria has been built on the tenet of innovation – always looking for unique ways to design products that catch the eye but more importantly hit the mark in terms of practicality. With an unflinchingly courageous approach, Prostoria appoints designers and design collectives like Numen/ForUse, Grupa, Sanja Knezovic and Redesign – under the helm of its founder Tomislav Knevoz. Some of the most iconic pieces to date include the Polygon and the Up-Lift Sofa Bed, both instantly recognisable with their bold geometric forms and versatility in application. The latest to join the line-up is the Match Lounge, which will be in stock at Stylecraft from December 2021 and available in various configurations. Let's take a look through these quirky designs that have made a splash on the world stage. Match Lounge The Match Lounge is the latest addition to the Prostoria fold. Modular in its design, it can be adapted to suit any given space, with an extensive range of configurations based on a single armchair through to a three-seat lounge. Designed by Sanja Knezovic, the Match is defined by its clean lines and elegant simplicity. Up-Lift Sofa Bed Not to be outdone, the Up-Lift Sofa Bed, designed by Redesign is an instantly recognisable piece in the Prostoria range. A lounge with an integrated sofa bed, the Up-Lift is highly functional and distinctive, breaking the mould for what is usually expected of sofa beds. A simple flip of the backrest turns it from a curvaceous chair into a horizontal bed – no fumbling and creaky mechanics on this highly resolved piece. Up-Lift is available as a single armchair, 1.5 and two-seater lounge, enabling a single, queen single or double bed module. Umomoku Outdoor Collection Bring a sense of solidity and groundedness to your outdoor setting with the Umomoku collection, designed by 3LHD. Available in an armchair, lounge, sun lounge and coffee table, the solid timber framing of the range is balanced by plush cushions. Exuding a graphic quality, the frames are angular with square-cut forms and strong lines. A collection of outdoor fabrics can be used for the cushions, while timber species oiled for weather exposure make it suitable for outdoor use.   Monk Collection Giving a nod to retro forms, but designed in a thoroughly modern way, the Monk Collection by Grupa uses bent plywood to create a floating effect from the seat to the backrest. Available in a range of configurations, colourways, leg options and finishes, the Monk range brings versatility and style to any space. Polygon Collection An undeniable star of the Prostoria brand, the Polygon Collection, designed by Numen/ForUse, is defined by its geometric form and shifting details. Triangular legs made in powdercoat steel create an orthogonal side view, which tessellates together like a series of hexagons and complex polygons. Available in a multitude of options – textiles, armrests, finishes and powdercoat colours – it's a chair that stands out. Polygon armchair is also available for outdoor usage in a choice of outdoor house fabrics and three solid timber armrest options. For external use, the mild steel frame is finished to a choice from ten powdercoat colours. A Polygon table is also available for indoor or outdoor usage, providing the perfect companion to the armchair. Stylecraft stylecraft.com.au The post The Functional Fusion of Prostoria appeared first on Habitusliving.com.

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StartupNation

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• How to Create a Winning SEO Strategy
• Unnecessary Expenses That Startups Should Avoid 
• Top Detroit Startups and Tech Companies to Watch in 2022
• Why VR Technology is 2022’s Must-Have Business Tool

How to Create a Winning SEO Strategy Posted: 30 Nov 2021 09:00 PM PST Ask any digital marketer what their secret to success is, and we bet they'll say having a solid SEO strategy. While we're pretty sure you've already heard the term SEO (search engine optimization) from your fellow marketers or some random blogger, you might still be trying to figure out what an effective SEO strategy looks like, how your business can benefit from it, and how you can come up with one. Well, the good news is, you've found us! We're here to make your life easier. In this post, you'll learn what an SEO strategy is, how it can impact your brand and, of course, the steps you need to take to create a powerful SEO strategy. Let's dive right in! What's an SEO strategy? Simply put, an SEO strategy refers to a detailed plan to improve a website's search engine rankings so it can gain more exposure and drive more organic traffic. It contains the tasks you do behind the scenes to boost your chances of appearing in top search results. Why does SEO matter? So, why do you need to craft an SEO strategy for your business? How exactly can search engine optimization put you ahead of your competitors and bring in more revenue? SEO increases organic discovery and high-quality web traffic. SEO delivers impressive return on investment (ROI). SEO maximizes PPC campaigns. SEO targets the entire marketing funnel. SEO helps you reach your target audience. SEO increases user engagement rates. SEO improves website usability. Ways to create a winning SEO strategy Now that you know how vital a tool SEO is, it's time for us to show you the ropes. Follow these steps to ensure that your website gets to appear in the first page of Google and other search engines: Make a list of keywords. Keywords are the foundation of good SEO. By knowing the most common keywords your ideal audience searches for, you'll be able to add them to your content. This means you'll likely be among the first sites they see when they type in those terms. That's why your first move is to do keyword research. One of the best ways to find keywords your target customers often use is by turning to Google. Simply type a keyword into its search field, and it will display a list of suggestions. However, you need to dig deeper as well. You have to check out the search volume and competition levels for those terms. Keyword tools like Semrush and Ahrefs can help you get the job done. Other ways to conduct keyword research is by: Building a list of localized keywords. Looking at the keywords your competitors use. Using negative keywords. Finding common customer questions. Place your targeted keywords in all the right places. Once you're happy with your keywords, your next move is to learn where to use them for SEO. No, you can't just put them anywhere as you please. Ideally, you should have them in the following: Page titles Meta descriptions Subheadings Content URLs Link anchor text Directories and external listings. Set up a blog. Gone are the days when blogging was merely an online diary. Now, it has become a must for businesses who aim to gain traffic, improve their visibility in search engines, and grow their following. Indeed, blogging plays a significant role in boosting SEO. Below are five reasons why: It keeps your website fresh and up-to-date. It helps increase the number of backlinks and internal links. It's a great place to use long-tail keywords. It connects you with your audience. It builds trust and authority. Write for humans first, search engines second. With the Google algorithm getting smarter by the day and using constant human input, you won't find any magic formula to outwit a search engine. That's why your content should impress humans, not bots. Here's a couple of tips: Avoid repetition. Be conversational and compelling. Use relevant language. Let your personality shine. Provide a positive user experience (UX). No one likes a website that's super hard to navigate, as well as one that takes ages to load. Not only will you lose visitors in a matter of seconds, but you'll also get penalized by Google. Yikes! Ways to improve UX include testing, responsive web design, calls to action and more. Build relevant links. Link building is a key aspect of building site authority, which is another factor in SEO. Search engines use links for two primary reasons: To discover new web pages that they can use in their search results AND to help determine how well a page should rank in their results. Though building quality links can get complicated, there are still many proper SEO techniques you can use on your own, such as: Building relationships with prominent people in your industry. Guest posting for high-authority sites. Turning mentions into backlinks. Writing testimonials for brands you support. Studying your competitors' common backlinks. Recovering your dead backlinks. Asking for backlinks. Ready to start your SEO strategy planning? We can't deny that ranking high in search pages is no easy task. However, with a killer SEO strategy in place, you'll get there. Sure, it may take some time before you can finally see results, but trust us, it will definitely be worth the wait. Contact the experts at Digital Resource! The post How to Create a Winning SEO Strategy appeared first on StartupNation.

Unnecessary Expenses That Startups Should Avoid  Posted: 30 Nov 2021 09:00 PM PST Starting a business can be an exciting time, and the idea of being your own boss and doing what you love is alluring to many. However, with startups being so young, they'll have additional deficits from their initial costs. While there are essential costs every business needs to pay for its day-to-day functions, it's easy to get carried away in the early stages and spend on products or services that don't necessarily enhance your company or attract potential customers. Having too many unnecessary expenses is a sure-fire way to rack up company debt, hindering your company's chances before turning a profit. 9 Highly Successful Entrepreneurs Reveal the Biggest Startup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them  Unnecessary expenses to avoid  Hiring too many employees too soon  Startups may struggle to do all the work with limited staff. Should this happen, it can be tempting to take on more staff to manage the workload. Small businesses may hire more staff in preparation for future expansion. However, full-time employees need salaries regardless of whether the work's there to pay them.  While taking on part-time or subcontracted employees for specific roles could help in the short term, hiring too many full-time employees before the company really needs them can drain the cash reserves and even land your company in financial trouble.  Unneeded utilities  Depending on your sector, your business could need specific tools and utilities to deliver a service or products. These tools and utilities could be software to produce graphics or videos, or tools and machinery to produce stock.  Depending on the capabilities and amounts required, these can be expensive. If you've done your research to ensure you get the best-rated gear, it can be tempting to invest in the flashiest product on the market with the most advertising regardless of how suitable it is for your company. While these features may look good on paper and factoring in future growth isn't necessarily a bad idea when you're starting out, it might be wiser to focus on what's absolutely needed at the time. Otherwise, you risk paying out for tools or utilities you might not need until the company grows to a size that justifies them.  5 Mistakes Derailing Startup Founders  Unsuitable premises  On a similar note, a shiny, pristine, or cool and hip office space can look great to prospective clients or on social media. While a great prospect, if the company is in its infancy, an office can be an extremely costly investment.  You may attempt to justify a large, expensive office, larger than what your business really needs, as having room to expand. While there's no harm in planning ahead, upscaling before the business needs to and spending money on facilities larger than necessary and more expensive than what's realistically affordable is a quick way to deplete your cash reserves.  Office space can be costly, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how companies can adapt to working from home if needed. With this in mind, having your staff work from home could save your startup funds that could be better used elsewhere.  Pixabay Branded merchandise too early  With a plethora of companies offering custom merchandise, some at very low prices, it may be tempting to go all out and slap your company logo on everything from T-shirts and stationery to coasters and a mural to hang on the office wall. While the relatively low cost of such an indulgence can seem harmless, and in some cases allows for extra publicity if your staff are working out in the field, doing so for the sake of it could waste money that could be better spent elsewhere.  The wrong sort of promotional material  On the subject of marketing, once you've got the business set up and the doors open, you'll want to make sure people know you're there. However, marketing is a whole specialty in itself and requires at least some research before investing. Different demographics interact more with certain marketing channels than others, so investing in the wrong type of marketing or an avenue not suited for your target audience can lead to money down the drain. Just because everyone else is marketing a certain way doesn't mean it will necessarily work for you.  Excessive expenses  Once you start incurring expenses, such as paying for fuel, parking or train tickets, you are allowed to claim those expenses back from the company. While some of these expenses can be reclaimed when declaring tax, you may not be able to with others, and the company needs to survive long enough to make those declarations. Amassing excessive expenses or overspending with a mindset that the company will cover it can drain the bank account. You should think carefully in the early, delicate days whether the expenses are truly justified.  On a similar note, with all the stresses and pressures of starting a company, if you've had a particularly good quarter or a big contract has just paid out, you could be tempted to host a big party at a fancy venue or treat your employees to an all-expenses-paid day trip. Success should be celebrated, but the expense of those celebrations should be proportionate and not risk putting the company in the red. If your business is still in its infancy, it's still in a fragile state. That money spent on the day trip in the most expensive conference room could be better left in the bank account until the business is in a stable position and able to support itself.   In summary  Overspending when your startup business is still young can drag it down before it has a chance to shine. Upscaling too quickly by hiring too many staff, buying expensive utilities and tools, or investing in premises larger than you really need can drain your company's financial reserves at a time where they're still vulnerable to large, unforeseen outgoings and knockbacks. Do your research before committing to any kind of marketing, particularly whether it will reach your target audience before investing in channels that might not be suitable. If you invest in branded products, ensure it's not just for the sake of it. Be careful with expenses you claim back from the company or splashing out on indulgences in reward of success when that money would be better saved. Cutting back on these unnecessary expenses early in the game can help ensure your company comes out of the gate stronger.  Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: Help for small businesses Big news. StartupNation and Verizon are bringing something special to all small business owners. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free resource for learning basic business skills, the latest digital technology and more. Sign up now. Download more information HERE. The post Unnecessary Expenses That Startups Should Avoid  appeared first on StartupNation.

Top Detroit Startups and Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 Posted: 30 Nov 2021 09:00 PM PST Michigan is now the state with the highest growth in VC investment. Now many Detroit startups are on the fast track to growth. Whether it's new funding, expansions or IPOs, it's been an eventful year in Detroit startups. Next year is looking even better. Here are the top Detroit startups and tech companies to watch in 2022. Small Detroit startups to watch in 2022 1. Autobooks Autobooks is the first fully integrated payments and accounting platform for business, delivered through online banking. Based in Detroit, Autobooks offers a number of wellness benefits, plus great financial and educational benefits. This year, Autobooks raised $25 million in Series B funding and are continuing to grow their team, hiring in Detroit. Apply now to Autobooks. 2. Our Next Energy Our Next Energy, or ONE, is a next-gen battery tech startup in Detroit that is creating better, safer, more efficient batteries for the future of electric vehicles. Our Next Energy recently raised $25 million and is backed by BMW, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos. 3. Signal Advisors Signal Advisors creates technology that supports financial advisors in scaling their business in ways previously not possible. From coaching to software to partnerships, it's a new way for financial advisors to grow their business that seems pretty logical and crucial in hindsight. Signal Advisors recently raised a Series B round. Apply now to Signal Advisors. 4. Floyd Floyd is a furniture company based in Detroit that is concerned with longevity, sustainability, and modern design. They are committed to equitable and diverse hiring, and will even pay for relocation costs or allow remote work when appropriate. The company raised $15 million in Series B funding this year. Apply now to Floyd. 5. RoboTire Robotire is an automation startup that uses robots to replace tires in under 15 minutes during vehicle service appointments, in order to reduce wait times. In late 2021 RoboTire raised $7.5 million in Series A funding led by The Reinalt-Thomas Corporation, a tire retail company behind Discount Tire and America's Tire. 6. InvestNext InvestNext is a Detroit fintech startup that has created a platform to streamline how real estate investment firms raise and manage capital. They recently closed a $4.3 million seed round, led by Hyde Park Venture Partners with participation from Whitecap Venture Partners, DVP, Grand Ventures and ID Ventures. 7. Waymark Waymark is a digital creative marketing company with offices in Detroit. With $4.6 million in funding under their belt, Waymark is helping transform small business marketing. The team is growing and hiring in Detroit and remotely. Apply now to Waymark. 8. Trustpage Trustpage provides software teams a single, connected hub for building trust with prospects and customers, assisted by AI. It's a product that's all about visibility and transparency in an era of increased cyber attacks and mistrust. Founded by Detroit tech veteran Chase Lee, Trustpage is a part of the entrepreneurial ripple effect happening in Detroit and is poised for success in 2022. Apply now to Trustpage. 9. Guardhat Top Detroit startup Guardhat raised nearly $42 million in funding in early 2021 to create innovative safety solutions for industrial IoT. In 2020, TIME listed Guardhat's smart hat as one of the best inventions of the year. Revenue has tripled year over year since the company's 2014 founding. Apply now to Guardhat.  10. DeepHow DeepHow uses natural language processing, AI, computer vision and knowledge mapping to revolutionize how knowledge is captured, digitized and organized. DeepHow is using this technology to bridge the skilled labor gap in the manufacturing, construction and service industries. They recently closed a $9 million pre-Series A funding round led by Sierra Ventures, and are using the $41 million raised so far to expand their workforce in Asia and other markets. 11. Sift Detroit startup Sift is a people directory for modern organizations. Sift functions as a search bar to help employees find the right people in their organization to collaborate with quickly and easily. The product also integrates with Skype, MS Teams and more. Apply now to Sift.  12. Qodex Qodex is a Detroit-based startup that offers web-based, AI-leveraged automated tools and solutions to the healthcare industry to accomplish tasks more efficiently. They hire locally and remotely and have a close-knit culture built on authentic connections between team members. Qodex uses agile methodologies and is all about team collaboration. The company is rapidly growing and we’re excited to see what 2022 has in store. Apply now to Qodex. 13. Airspace Link Detroit's Airspace Link is one of the hottest startups out of Michigan the last few years, focused on creating a world where the safe integration of drones fuels human progress, advancing social equity, the environment, and the economy. Now hiring for more openings, they are expanding quickly. This year, they raised $10 million in Series A funding and launched some strategic partnerships. Not only is Airspace Link one of the best Detroit startups, but it's also a great place to work. Everyone on the team truly has a say and can make an impact on the company and the industry. Apply now to Airspace Link.  14. Grand Circus Grand Circus is a remote coding boot camp founded in Detroit that believes anyone can have a career in tech. They are committed to diversity and invest in the education of their employees. Grand Circus continues to be one of the central players in the Detroit startup ecosystem, empowering people to enter the field of tech who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Apply now to Grand Circus. 15. Pocketnest Pocketnest is an award-winning fintech startup in Detroit that aims to bring financial wellness coaching to the masses, aimed at millennials and younger audiences. Software can be licensed to corporations to benefit employees and uses behavioral science to understand the reasoning behind financial decisions people make and to help democratize financial advice for the masses. Pocketnest was founded by a woman, Jessica Willis, who is a fantastic mentor to local founders. Apply now to Pocketnest. 16. ToDoolie ToDoolie is a Detroit-based startup whose app allows homeowners to hire in local young people for help around the house. They've partnered with TechStars, ID Ventures, Lofty Ventures, Wayne State University and Precursor Ventures, which gives them the mentorship and funding to scale. Apply now to ToDoolie.  17. FutureBank FutureBank aims to change banking for millennials. From not understanding their needs to not offering technology and customer service that fits with their lifestyle, banks are falling behind on serving today's young professionals. FutureBank offers virtual banking and subscription-based services, completely changing the way people connect with financial services. This year, the company raised a seed funding round and has been focused on growth. Apply bnow to FutureBank. 18. Rivet Rivet creates digital workforce and job management software for field teams. Based in Detroit, Rivet offers software that's accessible to distributed teams, powering scheduling, workforce and job management, and more. They were founded in 2020 and have solid VC backing, recently raising $2 million, raising their total funding to $4.4 million. Apply now to Rivet. 19. Inpathy Inpathy is a new social media app that allows users to share their emotions. As soon as you log in, the app asks how you're feeling. "The down moments are beautiful," said founder Ziarekenya Smith, who wanted to create a social media platform that did more for people than focus on the highs we share. Why is it different? Because with Inpathy, you have to interact with other people's page and them with yours in order to bring people into your circle. The startup is crowdfunding to raise a round for its upcoming launch. 20. Hush Formerly PrivacyCheck, Hush is a VC-backed digital privacy startup founded by Detroit boomerang Mykolas Rambus. Mykolas is a Detroit native who lived in Boston, D.C., New York, and Atlanta, before coming back to be part of Detroit's resurgence. Hush identifies digital items that put people at risk financially, physically and reputationally that they might want removed from the internet. Using a combination of AI and team expertise, Hush works to clean up digital presence online to ensure privacy and security. Apply to Hush. 21. Aadya Aadya is an AI-powered cybersecurity startup in Detroit founded by Duo Security alum Raffaele Mautone. Focused on democratizing security for businesses who don't have in-house security expertise, Aadya is a more accessible option for business security, which means they have their pick of the customers in an age of accelerating online security concerns. 22. Onboard.io Onboard is a Detroit startup founded by a successful alum from another tech company started here: Ambassador Software. Onboard solves the solution of customer churn by creating an onboarding system for new customers to better retain them. Onboard is part of the growing Detroit tech ecosystem that is native born and sticking around to bring more success to the ecosystem. 23. PlainSight PlainSight is a new networking app. The idea is to help people make connections at in-person events, or list a shared space or event people can connect with. It's a unique take on the networking problem we all face finding the right partners at events and in business. EXPLORE DETROIT STARTUP JOBS 24. Quikly Quikly is a marketing technology company in Detroit that already has over $5 million in funding. The team works out of downtown Detroit and is a top place to work with great benefits and perks. The Quikly team gets to work with some of the largest brands in the world. 25. Boon Health Boon Health is a health-tech startup on a mission to give employees access to mental wellness and coaching. Founded in 2019, Boon is filling a gap in the employee benefits and helping build resilience among employees. 26. GreenLancer Need a software solution for solar design and permitting? GreenLancer has created an all-in-one solution. They also offer consulting services to help companies acquire commercial sites, manage projects, and handle solar integrations. This green tech company is only growing in demand as the world switches to cleaner energy. 27. Perigon Health A digital health platform that supports medication adherence and provides real-time data is the main product of Perigon Health. They're used by Tufts, Houston Methodist, Henry Ford Health System, and many more health systems for their patients. Apply now to Perigon Health. 28. Regrid A unique company out of Detroit is Regrid, a nationwide location intelligence and property data company that provides standardized high-quality parcel & matched building footprints data and also helps you locate property parcels across the U.S via their GIS solutions. The company was formerly known as Loveland Technologies, and continues to evolve significantly. 29. TiiCKER TiiCKER helps you find shareholder perks you get for ownership in various companies. You can also explore brands you might not know are publicly traded. They're starting in Detroit and Seattle and expanding from there. This year, they raised $2 million in a pre-seed funding round. 30. Healthy Roots Dolls Healthy Roots is a doll company, but there's something extra special about their dolls: not only are they designed to reflect the beauty of young black girls and encourage them to embrace their curly hair — Healthy Roots dolls have hair that can be styled just like real hair. The company raised $1 million in seed funding this year. 31. Rebound Another AI startup in Detroit, Rebound has created a chatbot that helps employees and executives interact with their business data to make informed decisions. Rebound can send messages to your phone that alert you to incoming revenue, track reporting on sales and advertising results, and respond via text to questions about business stats. Rebound was founded in 2020 and just getting started. EXPLORE DETROIT STARTUP JOBS 32. Integral Integral is a Detroit software consultancy that works with cloud-native agile engineering practices, human-centered design, lean product management strategies, and other gold-standard software development practices. They must be doing something right: first partners include Ford, Bosch, May Mobility, and Autonomic. 33. Nextek Power Systems Nextek is all about low-voltage power networking systems, including lighting and controls for efficient building lighting. Their system is basically a micro-grid that saves energy, and is easier to install, which means Nextek saves labor costs, energy, and materials. 34. Revela Real estate tech is finally entering the modern age with startups like Revela, who created all-in-one solutions for real estate agents to manage bookkeeping, listings, financial reporting, tenant communication, and financial reporting in one place. We like the combo of bookkeeping and listing tracking, which until now have been handled by very different software. 35. Bollinger Motors If you love Jeep or Rivian, you have to check out Bollinger Motors, an electric truck company that's still rolling after early years pioneering the all-electric adventure vehicle market. Bollinger has been in the news since CleanTechnica picked up their story in 2017. We're happy to see they're making a success of it as electric trucks have been a market almost too early and underdeveloped to succeed in until this year. 36. Code Blue Health Code Blue is an app designed specifically for urgent care. It's a cool idea, to make urgent care support easier to connect with. Code Blue allows users to compare wait times, sign up for an urgent care appointment from their phone, and send information to their doctor. It's a good step up from urgent care online signups at each urgent care website, and we hope they find a way to make accessibility fair. 37. Petram Data Petram uses predictive modeling and analytics to help coach you to a better marketing program. As they are based in Detroit, automotive is a specialty. They help users navigate away from assumptions or use of outmoded data to drive their marketing strategy. 38. DietID DietID is a dietary assessment tool that can be used by employers, health coaches, and medical providers to support clients. The idea behind DietID was to create a diet support and nutrition assessment tool that was highly visual, interactive and easy to use, and also makes use of years of behavioral science to engage users in modifying their diets in healthy ways. 39. MatchRX How do pharmacies manage, buy, and sell unexpired overstock prescriptions? That's the problem MatchRX set out to solve. MatchRX has created a marketplace solution to minimize drug waste and reduce drug shortages. 40. Alchemie Alchemie creates organic chemistry apps for higher education. Their intuitive learning tools are interactive and offer instant feedback and assessment. They have been featured in Crain's Detroit Business, Next Reality, and Campus Technology. Mid-sized Detroit tech companies and startups to watch in 2022 1. Benzinga A super fast-growing startup out of Detroit is Benzinga, a crypto and financial advice media outlet that is hiring everything from developers to journalists to build their team. Love crypto? This is a unique opportunity. They were just acquired for $300 million by Beringer Capital, and are growing fast. 2. OneStream Software Corporate management software for enterprise is the focus of Detroit's OneStream, who focus on manufacturing, life sciences, the public sector, and financial services companies. The company raised $200 million in Series B funding back in April 2021, and are looking toward an IPO with a valuation of $6 billion. 3. Whisker Formerly known as AutoPets, Whisker is the creator of the robotic litter box for cats. The company has raised $31 million to expand from its original product offerings. They now offer a robotic automatic pet feeder and a suite of related products to make pet care easier for pet parents. 4. Vectorform Vectorform works with brands to create advanced multimedia experiences of their products, from in-vehicle digital interaction to holographic medical models. Clients include Adidas, Microsoft, Google and DTE Energy. 5. Plex Systems Plex is a Detroit-based startup focused on smart manufacturing systems. Products from Plex range from quality management to resource planning, analytics for IoT and supply chain management. In 2020, Plex raised $100 million in funding, and this year, Plex was acquired by Rockwell Automation and is continuing to grow. 6. Bluewater Tech Bluewater Tech is a woman-owned Detroit startup specializing in storytelling campaigns for retail, events, exhibits, and online and physical canvases. They work with Ford, GMC, Buffalo Wild Wings, Buick and Carhartt. 7. Credibly Credibly is a Detroit fintech startup helping small businesses receive loans and financing by leveraging data and technology. Business owners can qualify for up to $400,000 in working capital loans or cash advance, $250,000 for a business loan, or up to $5 million in other financing terms to support their small business. Large Detroit startups and publicly traded tech companies to watch in 2022 1. Dynatrace Dynatrace simplifies the complexity of the cloud with software intelligence. Using AI, automation, and advanced observability, the Dynatrace platform provides enterprise customers with answers about infrastructure and customer experience. Dynatrace is a close-knit, global tech company that just celebrated its 3,000th employee, but it's just the beginning. Apply to Dynatrace now. 2. StockX StockX created the world's first luxury goods trading exchange — a stock market for high-end goods. Known for their high-end sneaker exchange that started it all, StockX has exploded from startup to unicorn status to household name in just a few years. StockX was founded in 2016 and already boasts more than 1,000 employees. The company raised $60 million this year, raising their total to $690 million. Apply StockX now.  3. Vroom Automotive e-commerce startup Vroom is disrupting the entire automotive sales industry. In 2020, the company went public, raising over $588 million. This early-stage publicly-traded company has spent 2021 continuing to scale, and we're excited to see what they do in 2022. Apply to Vroom now. 4. SpotOn San Francisco's SpotOn has offices in Detroit and Chicago, and recently announced an acquisition of rival Appetize that will allow the startup to expand as one of the fastest growing payment solution companies for the retail and restaurant industry. In September, SpotOn announced $300 million in Series E funding led by Andreesen Horowitz, raising the company's valuation to $3.15 billion. Apply to SpotOn now. 5. Red Ventures Red Ventures is a staffing startup that hires out everything from creative and marketing professionals to business leadership, technologists, sales and data analytics experts. They run recruiting for top media brands like CNET and Lonely Planet, embedding their professionals into an existing business's office. Apply now to Red Ventures. 6. Rivian Founded in Detroit, though now headquartered in California, Rivian is a leader in the electric truck market that has consistently been making headlines since its founding in 2009. They have raised $10.7 billion and recently went public in November 2021. Rivian has made strategic partnerships along the way: with Amazon, which now claims a 20% stake, and Ford, which it has recently broken ties with. We're curious to see what this EV startup does in 2022! Discover the top startups across the Midwest Looking for more startup and tech jobs at top companies? Check out the best companies in the Midwest — many of them are hiring remotely! Top Ann Arbor Tech Companies & Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Chicago Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Cincinnati Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Columbus Startup and Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 Top Grand Rapids Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Indianapolis Tech Companies and Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Milwaukee Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Pittsburgh Startups to Watch in 2022 Top Remote Startups to Watch in 2022 Originally published by Purpose Jobs on Nov. 29, 2021. The post Top Detroit Startups and Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 appeared first on StartupNation.

Why VR Technology is 2022’s Must-Have Business Tool Posted: 30 Nov 2021 09:00 PM PST Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg made headlines this year with his ambitious plans to build a metaverse, a world in which social and professional interactions are mediated by immersive digital technologies. But away from the front pages, these technologies are already being enthusiastically adopted by forward-thinking companies. And while the past year has seen a plethora of similarly innovative workplace tools wax and wane in popularity, as 2021 draws to a close it's immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) that are on a trajectory of exponential growth. But why is immersive tech being called 2022's must-have business tool? And how exactly can your company leverage VR and AR for maximum impact – from onboarding to training, conferencing and well-being? Let's dive into these questions below. What are immersive technologies?  Immersive technology is an umbrella term referring to tech with the capacity to integrate the real and virtual world, including: Virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in a fully artificial digital environment or 360-degree video. Augmented reality (AR), which overlays virtual objects onto a real-world environment. Typically, users access the platforms on which VR and AR content is hosted from mobile phones, laptops, tablets or headsets. This is significant because it removes barriers of time and space. Employees can access the content whenever and wherever they want! How can immersive tech be used in the workplace? Onboarding  With the current competition for new talent likely to intensify even further in 2022, organizations can't afford to be complacent when it comes to onboarding new recruits. Luckily, when it comes to upping your onboarding game, immersive technologies can deliver that much-needed edge on the competition. Let's look at the four main objectives that onboarding programs are typically structured around: Alignment with company mission, values and culture. End-to-end understanding of the product or service. Understanding the customer or client and their needs. Learning how to follow or use internal processes or systems. All of these can be achieved on a VR platform, where onboarding staff are immersed in a fully digital environment and 360-degree video when appropriate. The bespoke learning content, grouped into modules or courses, can be easily shared with an unlimited number of remote or hybrid employees. Managers and mentors can monitor the progress of new hires (and spot any areas where additional support is needed) by looking at the data generated by the platform. Training and upskilling Once you've onboarded your team, the retention battle begins! The first thing to consider is that 2022's workforce doesn’t consider skill development a workplace bonus; they consider it a make-or-break factor. So if you want to retain your best employees, you need to offer them the best opportunities for professional growth and talent development. Alex Young of Virti.com VR employee training is currently being pioneered by major global companies — from Walmart to Accenture and Bank of America — and studies have shown that immersive simulation training can improve learning outcomes by 76% and knowledge retention by 230%. This is because VR simulations provide a low-pressure, effective, scalable and consistent way to train, while also furnishing learners with meaningful, data-backed feedback on their performance. It's not just complex technical procedures (surgery, for example) that can be learned; VR platforms are well suited to soft skills training, too. Leading immersive tech platforms support the re-creation of the stress and emotion of challenging scenarios — such as client negotiations — while also capturing and analyzing data on trainee decisions and behavioral response. In short, immersive technologies can help employers to deliver the sector-leading internal training that will become essential to retaining staff and improving team performance in 2022. Mental health and well-being support.  Excellent onboarding and training are two ways to build a happy workforce, but in 2022, investment in employee well-being is equally paramount. With 42% of UK employees reporting that their well-being has been negatively impacted at work, a robust support system must be a priority for every employer. Providing employees with access to counselling, mindfulness programs and resilience training are all popular and proven well-being initiatives. However, these have high barriers to access — expense and time being just two. When it was reported that Facebook were handing out Oculus VR headsets to all of their employees as part of their health and well-being package, HR teams around the world began to sit up and think about the potential of VR tech for mental health support. VR mindfulness and resilience training courses are now exploding in popularity, with research backing up anecdotal reports of their impact. And when it comes to therapy,  it's looking increasingly likely that making an appointment for your avatar to “meet” a therapist in a virtual environment will soon become completely normal. All indicators suggest that it won't be long before VR well-being packages become a must-have staff perk. Will your business get ahead of the curve? Virtual events How many of us can honestly say that we get excited by the thought of another webinar or e-conference? The novelty of online-only events wore off very quickly during the pandemic, yet it has become difficult to justify the expense and inconvenience of organizing in-person events. One response to this dilemma came from trailblazing fashion house Balenciaga, who staged its dystopian autumn/winter 2021 collection as a virtual reality runway show and sent Oculus glasses to 330 guests worldwide. The masterfully executed event showcased how VR can be used to elevate events and excite guests: The novelty of the experience helps to generate interest. Barriers of distance and cost can be eliminated. Entirely COVID-secure. Inbuilt data collection tools allow tracking of participant engagement and participation. Instant, real-time feedback can be collected from attendees. Multimedia resources can be instantly shared. Use of avatars helps with building meaningful virtual relationships. With so many advantages, it's well worth evaluating your 2022 events calendar to identify opportunities for migration to VR-first delivery. Looking ahead to the future  No longer the sole preserve of gamers, immersive technologies are only going to become more widely used in 2022. They're already proving their worth for employee onboarding, skills training, conferencing and well-being provision, but it seems that the sky really is the limit of their potential. With so many companies already betting big on VR, there's never been a more exciting time to take your first steps with the tech. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here The post Why VR Technology is 2022’s Must-Have Business Tool appeared first on StartupNation.

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