Innovation & Job News

Adaptive Materials' Crumm finalist for Entrepreneur of Year

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

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Ann Arbor

One of Ann Arbor's own is a finalist for Entrepreneur Magazine's "Entrepreneur of the Year" award.

Adaptive Materials co-founder and chief business officer Michelle Crumm is competing with five other people for prize that recognizes entrepreneurial leadership and excellence. You can view Crumm's profile and video for the award here.

Crumm credits the strong support network for women in Ann Arbor as a key part of her success. She thinks the area needs more financing so it can continue to help its entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

"We really empower each other," Crumm says. "We help solve each other's problems and we generate ideas together. It's a great peer group.

Adaptive Materials specializes in fuel cell innovations. Its main product is powered by lightweight, inexpensive and globally available propane and provides power to the U.S. military and recreation vehicles. The company employs 63 people and 2-3 independent contractors. It has also hired seven people so far this year and has six open positions right now.

Source: Michelle Crumm, co-founder and chief business officer of Adaptive Materials
Writer: Jon Zemke