Area Development
Trillium Secure, Inc., a provider of cybersecurity protection and secure data management for vehicles and fleets, is establishing its research and development lab and Midwest operations in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $239,500 and create 25 high-tech jobs with the potential for up to 35 jobs.

Founded in Japan in 2014 and now headquartered in Silicon Valley, Trillium Secure delivers comprehensive cybersecurity protection and secure data management that hardens connected and autonomous vehicles and fleets against cyber-attacks.“As the automotive industry accelerates into the era of highly-connected and autonomous vehicles, commercial and public fleet operators need proactive vehicle security and real-time access to authenticated telematics data,” said Trillium President & CEO David Uze. “Demand for Trillium’s technology from transportation ecosystem players in Southeast Michigan was the driving force behind our investment in the region. The opportunity to work closely with customers and partners on pilots powered by MEDC, MDOT and other state entities made the choice of location easy.”

The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $207,500 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support the private investment. In addition, Ann Arbor SPARK has offered assistance to the company in finding candidates for the new positions.

“We’re pleased to work with our local partners and support this investment, and look forward to working with the company as it continues to develop automotive cybersecurity solutions,” Mason said.

The decision to locate its Midwest facility in Ann Arbor was based on the need to be close to a key customer target base: automotive OEMs and Tier 1 and 2 suppliers working on next generation connected and autonomous vehicles. Initially, the company plans to lease a 3,000- to 4,500-square-foot site to accommodate activities related to software and hardware engineering, technology testing, and sales and marketing,” Michigan Economic Development Corporation officials said.

“Trillium Secure’s expansion in Michigan rather than Ontario means excellent, well-paying jobs for Michigan residents and underscores the strength of the talent in the state’s mobility and technology sectors,” said Jeff Mason, CEO of MEDC, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF.

“The automotive ecosystem, activities around cybersecurity and the proximity to connected car development and testing centers such as Mcity and the American Center for Mobility made Ann Arbor the ideal location,” said Trillium Midwest Operations Director John Davis. “We thank our friends at MEDC, Ann Arbor SPARK and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce for their support in setting up Trillium’s presence in the region.”

“Trillium recognizes that the marriage of world class talent and a burgeoning mobility technology industry sector in the Ann Arbor region provide the foundation for growth here. Ann Arbor is a destination where a strong heritage in both cybersecurity and mobility converge,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK President & CEO. “We are pleased the company chose to locate at our SPARK Central Innovation Center, where we support soft landing space for global firms who want to establish a presence here. Ann Arbor SPARK looks forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Trillium through assistance with talent, partnerships, and more.”