Internet start-up Hashgram grows out of Elevator Building

Shane Doyle wanted an easier way to access Instagram photos outside of his mobile device, so he created a startup to do just that, Hashgram.

The Elevator Building-based startup has created a platform that allows users to access photos on Instagram through non-mobile devices, such as laptop and desktop computers. At first photos on Instagram were only visible on mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers.

Hashgram was started by Shane Doyle who was director of sales for 140 Proof, a Silicon Valley-based startup that was one of the first development partners with Twitter. Hashgram capitalizes on its technology by hosting instagram photos for businesses and brands and then selling keywords for them in searches.

"It's about evolving what we call sponsor tags," Doyle says. "It allows users and brands to go in and leverage the real-time activity."

The 1-year-old business and its team of two people (it's currently looking for an intern) shares space at 140 Proof's office in the Elevator Building. The company chose the recently renovated warehouse turned office building overlooking the Detroit Riverwalk and the Dequindre Cut because of its unique space and community atmosphere.

"We just really liked the space," Doyle says.

Source: Shane Doyle, founder of Hashgram
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.