Compuware Ventures, the corporate venturing fund launched last year by software corporation Compuware, invested an undisclosed sum in Deadline Detroit, a localised, aggregated news website, according to Detroit business newspaper Crain’s.
The site will be run by Bill McGraw, who currently holds the post of Compuware’s director of media relations, though he will transition into his new role as preparation for the site’s launch ramps up. In addition to providing funding, Deadline Detroit will be constructed using Compuware technology and the website will initially rent space in the Compuware Building.
The financing by Compuware, which invests chiefly in companies local to its Detroit headquarters, follows a similar investment made last month in Glocal, another aggregated news website.
Glocal’s focus is likely to be more overtly national than Deadline Detroit, which will concentrate on locally relevant news and also provide some original reporting. The site will be tailored for access via mobile devices and revenue will come solely from advertising.
In an interview with Crain’s, McGraw said: ""It will be a 21st century publication that features concise and wide-ranging aggregation, a lot of locally produced or original content. We’re going to pay attention to things that are not being covered."
At present, Compuware is the sole investor in Deadline Detroit, though McGraw confirmed additional backers are being sought.