Business &
S
ROFILE
Game Changer from page 21
when it was awarded the contract to
create a Ben Hogan video game for the
Nintendo Wii console. With this agree-
ment, the company became the first
within Michigan to receive the go-ahead
for video game production and interac-
tive website since the incentive legisla-
tion was passed.
"This is the biggest milestone for
the state yet with the approval of this
application and should pave the way
for more and more studios to look at
Michigan closer, realize the local talent
and expertise and bring more digital
production projects here': said Hurwitz.
"Digital media and content development
relates directly to long term jobs that will
not only employ the local talent, but also
bring back our talented artists and pro-
grammers that have left the state:"
Pixofactor, a privately held company,
has already begun working on the
$2.7 million project to develop the Ben
Hogan game across multiple digital
platforms, including: the Nintendo Wii
game, mobile applications, an interac-
tive website and DVD. Based on the size
and scope of the project, PixoFactor
will contract and employ approximately
20-30 additional artists, animators and
programmers. The mobile apps and
website will be launched in the spring
and summer, while the game is expected
to be released towards the end of the
year for the holidays.
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The application approval was no
easy feat considering the complexity
of the tax credit. Other game develop-
ment companies have applied and were
rejected. Assisting Pixofactor along the
way was tax attorney Marc Seyburn,
with Birmingham-based Seyburn Knox
Law Firm, who worked closely with the
state to understand and leverage the tax
credits.
Seyburn acknowledges there has
been some trial and error through the
process, something to be expected with
a combination of a new industry and
bureaucracy. But he sees significant
potential for Pixofactor in the emerg-
ing field thanks in part to their recent
project win.
"The incentives were put in place
to kick-start an industry' said
Seyburn. "This is a good foundation
for PixoFactor and will help build the
momentum and create a permanent job
base in Michigan."
Family Impetus
Entrepreneurship in times of adversity is
a family tradition. Both sets of Hurwitz'
grandparents were forced out of
Germany and Lithuania in the late 1930s
and settled in South Africa. With nearly
nothing to their names, separately, they
both built substantial retail businesses.
Hurwitz' entrepreneurial endeavors
have included commercial real estate
and a successful landscape and snow
removal company he started at age 18 in
his parents' garage.
Key Support
In addition to the guidance and exper-
tise Seyburn provided, PixoFactor
received the financial support from Dan
Bayer and Sanford Aaron, managing
partners from Farmington Hills-based
Envy Capital, who committed to raise
approximately $2 million in investment
capital.
With all the key elements in place —
film tax credit, investors, partnerships
with outside studios and added jobs
— PixoFactor is poised to bring home
a piece of the $60 billion video gaming,
mobile and digital industry.
But Hurwitz is realistic about his
business and gives some sage advice for
others. "Not every opportunity will bear
fruit," he said.
It was his father who taught him
the most important life lesson: "Keep
standing, keep afloat and keep pressing
forward. Persistence and determination
alone are omnipotent."
JFS' Legacy Corps
Assists Daily Tasks
Jewish Family Service of
Metropolitan Detroit is launching
the Legacy Corps Enhancing Lives
Program, which will match volun-
teers with those who need help per-
forming daily tasks.
Responsibilities could include
assisting with errands, providing
transportation, helping with daily
schedules and offering companion-
ship. Participants will be asked to
make a one-year commitment begin-
ning April 1 and should be 18 years or
older, unless accompanied by an adult.
Volunteers will receive a monthly
stipend of $110 and a $1,415 educa-
tion award upon completing their
service year and hours.
Volunteers will need to attend a
pre-service orientation, monthly
development training and support
sessions and maintain regular con-
tact with the program coordinator.
They should anticipate spending
about eight hours each week with cli-
ents and between two and four hours
of training each month.
To volunteer or for information,
contact Ariella Rubin, (248) 592-3972
or arubin@jfsdetroit.org .
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