Energy Technology Forum on Energy Conservation
Conserving energy isn’t just about using different light bulbs. There are vast policy changes that are reshaping the landscape and creating business opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs. Come to this interactive event where you can hear from leading policy makers and business leaders and learn about key policy initiatives that are driving business development in the private sector. Register for the event. Read More →
What’s in a Term Sheet?
Not often discussed in presentations about starting a company, particularly an innovative high growth company raising private equity from angels and VCs, is the term sheet. The New Enterprise Forum and Ann Arbor SPARK are presenting a two part program about the various aspects of a term sheet. An attorney, investor and CEO will discuss the many elements of a term sheet and the ramifications of each. The first program is in two weeks, Thursday... [Read More...]
Local Group Battles Illiteracy to Build a Stronger Michigan
(Excerpted from Washtenaw Literacy) In Washtenaw County, statistics point to an illiteracy rate of 12%, about 27,000 citizens. Washtenaw Literacy matches adult learners with trained volunteers who provide individual and group tutoring in reading and writing skills. Its core program is one-on-one tutoring, which holds an impressive success rate: more than 90% of the adults in these programs reach at least one of their goals. World in a Basket is an... [Read More...]
Local Entrepreneur Launches T-Shirt Company
University of Michigan basketball star and co-captain turned local entrepreneur, David Merritt has announced that he’s starting a new line of “feel good” t-shirts. The IMU Brand t-shirts not only feature street-savvy designs but also boast a community give-back component, where proceeds from the launch event will be donated to Mott Children’s Hospital, employees of I Miss You commit to weekly community service and purchasers of the product... [Read More...]
Register for Hot Shots: Career Connections, Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Ann Arbor SPARK is holding Hot Shots: Career Connections at Melange (314 S. Main Street) from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 26. Hot Shots is an event for talent seeking opportunities for themselves. Attendees should bring their resume, and come and mingle with growing, innovative companies in a fun and relaxed environment. Register for Hot Shots. Read More →
NEF meeting on Term Sheets
Term Sheets is a subject rarely discussed in any detail in a public forum, even though they are referred to often. Do you know what is in a Term Sheet? We’re going to tackle the subject in a rare series of programs at the New Enterprise Forum meetings in September and October. Even two sessions won’t be enough to give you much detail, but you will probably walk out of each meeting knowing a lot more about them than you do today. The... [Read More...]
Presentation on state incentives and capital programs
On July 14 we will be presenting a program on the many programs funded by the state that put cash in the bank accounts of start-ups and early stage growth companies. When you look around at the incentives other states are providing technology and other innovative entrepreneurs you will be hard pressed to find one that has as many creative programs providing capital than Michigan. We have programs for university based commercialization opportunities,... [Read More...]
View Tonight’s Marketing Roundtable Program Live
Tonight’s program, Insight and Campaign Measurement (click on the link to view), will be the first to go live via web cast in the Ann Arbor SPARK Marketing Roundtable series. The meeting will begin at 5:00 pm with the live program starting at approximately 5:40 pm. Learn how to utilize effective insight gathering and measurement techniques to help impact your operations and boost brand performance. This session will review proven research methods... [Read More...]
New Entrepreneur Education Series Launched
Ann Arbor SPARK launches new entrepreneur education series. Entrepreneur 1.0 Funding and Entrepreneur 2.0 Management Team. Additional programs will feature HR and business formation topics. Read More →
Boot Camp & ACE
As a long time Boot Camp drill instructor I have had the good fortune to work with a number of early stage companies that have gone on to commercialize their technologies. An important step in that path is often soliciting and securing funding for the new business. One of the critical lessons that Boot Camp teaches is distilling the important elements of your business into a concise two minute presentation or “elevator pitch”. Armed with this... [Read More...]
