Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Re-cap!
This past November, Ann Arbor SPARK staff participated in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition (AMIC). AMIC is a 3-day business plan competition highlighting Michigan’s most innovative companies, most of whom are poised to create an immediate economic impact within our state. With this year being the second year of the competition, it was exciting to see how the competition has grown and the statewide attention it has gained. We met... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Hosts White House Business Council Roundtable!
Last week we hosted a White House Business Council Roundtable at our very own SPARK East facility in Ypsilanti. The roundtable is a part of an ongoing series of roundtables that are hosted all over the country with the goal to bring together business leaders to hear about what is going on with the administration at a national level. Our guest of honor was Dr. Rebecca Blank, Acting Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the... [Read More...]
SPARK’s Jennifer Owens Blogs from California
SPARK’s very own Jennifer Owens headed out to west to California this week on a business and talent attraction trip. She has organized two events during the time she will be visiting the Palo Alto area and has set up meetings with business leaders. The hope is to educate businesses about all the opportunities that are available for them in the Ann Arbor area. While out in California, Jennifer will be blogging through the Great Lakes Innovation... [Read More...]
4th Shifting Gears Program Beginning Soon!
Applications for the 4th Shifting Gears Program are due on September 3rd. Shifting Gears is a 5 month intensive program with 3 phases that help to transition experienced worker’s skills to a small business environment. The purpose of “Shifting Gears” is to increase the success of individuals who want to leverage their career experiences and education to help small businesses grow. Check out SPARK’s first Social Media Press Release... [Read More...]
Three Companies Receive Michigan Microloan Funding
Three Michigan companies recently received a combined total of $104,000 through the Michigan Microloan Fund Program. This brings the total amount invested through the Fund to over $1.3 million. Terra-Telesis, KnowledgeWatch, and uwemp received the funding to support commercialization of their core products. Terra-Telesis is based in Okemos and received Microloan funding for the commercialization of emerging technology based on its unique low profile,... [Read More...]
Michigan Receives A 2010 Silver Shovel Award
The 5th annual Gold and Silver Shovel awards were recently awarded to U.S. states to celebrate success in job creation and positive economic impact. The awards were given out by Area Development, a leading executive magazine covering site selection and facility planning. Silver Shovel awards are given to 10 states in three population categories. Michigan along with Texas and Florida received Silver Shovels in their 10 million population group. ... [Read More...]
Staying Safe on Social Media Sites
We attended LA2M (Lunch Ann Arbor Marketing) today to hear the presentation titled, Threats & Social Media / Networking Sites. Dave Linabury & Scott Vowels in an entertaining manner provided valuable information about the threats that are on social media websites. The two men have their own site, Social Threat, which contains links and blogs about criminals and hackers on the these sites to be aware of. They not only talked about being... [Read More...]
New Economy Initiative Awards $3 Million to Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan
This picture is from the press conference announcing the new Business Accelorator Network for Southeast Michigan The announcement of the new Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a region-wide collaborative effort dedicated to attracting and retaining business in southeast Michigan, took place on Monday, June 21st. The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan, an innovative philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition... [Read More...]
InPore Technologies Wins SmartZone Award
InPore Technologies was presented the first SmartZone Award at the GLEQ Awards Banquet recently. InPore Technologies was selected for the strength of its business plan, the industry, technical and entrepreneurial experience of its management team, and its ability to raise funds. The Smart Zone Award is sponsored by the Michigan SmartZones, funded through the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund and administered by Ann Arbor SPARK. It was created to benefit... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor on the 5 Great Places to Retire List
In a CNNMoney.com feature article, the renowned Fortune Magazine named Ann Arbor as one of its “Five Great Places to Retire.” Fortune implores readers to enjoy the stable economy and seize advantage of the decreased home prices. Based on the criteria of low cost of living, culture, tax rates, and health care, the city of Ann Arbor is lauded for its “world-class healthcare” and eventful college-town lifestyle. Read More →
