“Since joining Ann Arbor SPARK, I’ve met with more than 80 business owners who are advancing our region’s economy; there’s an incredible depth of expertise in our region,” said Krutko.  “The podcast series is designed to not only highlight that expertise, but also make it available to others who could benefit from the wisdom those business leaders can share.”

The podcasts will feature successful local businesses, business owners and business leaders.  Throughout these conversations, the CEOs will share best practices, lessons learned and an “in the trenches” view of the region’s economy.

The first podcast, available now on Ann Arbor SPARK’s website, is an insightful conversation with Mary Sue Coleman, president of University of Michigan.  Coleman discusses the role of a research university in economic development and the impact of University of Michigan’s partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK on the region.

Subsequent Ann Arbor SPARK CEO Podcasts: Conversations on Economic Opportunity, will feature regional leaders, including Ken Fischer, president of the University Musical Society, Mike Miller, head of Google Ann Arbor, Jan Garfinkle, managing director of venture capital firm Arboretum Ventures, and many more.

Ann Arbor SPARK will release new podcasts on its website every two weeks through 2012.  A full schedule of podcasts is available on SPARK’s webpage.

“MEDC support for Ann Arbor SPARK’s East incubator extends and enhances opportunities for start-ups throughout the region,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK. “Business incubators play an important role in our economy: The start-ups that receive assistance through SPARK East attract investment, retain talent and create jobs here in the region. Ann Arbor SPARK business incubators provide the critical support that start-ups need to become drivers of economic success.”

Ann Arbor SPARK was awarded $500,000 for the SPARK East business incubator, located in Ypsilanti, Mich. The funding will enable Ann Arbor SPARK to offer additional business incubator scholarships and business acceleration programming. The funding will also support new services developed specifically for students, including entrepreneur education.

To date, 42 start-ups have been assisted through programs and support offered at the SPARK East business incubator.

The show is hosted by Chris Holman, and regularly highlights success stories from around the state in the world of business and finance. It’s also focused on discussing solutions to the challenges facing Michigan’s economy, from technology to manufacturing.

Paul’s first and second interviews with the Michigan Business Beat were in September and October. He spoke about recruiting new senior talent into SPARK, and the fresh perspectives they are bringing into the organization. Other topics include MichAgain, SPARK’s upcoming talent attraction event in San Jose, CA. The event is aimed at attracting Michigan alums back to the Great Lakes State. He also spoke about the upcoming Deals of the Year awards and the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. These topics are just the tip of the iceberg, so be sure check out the recording for yourself here. Check back with us later in November for Paul’s next interview!

Photo credit: Dave Lewinsky

In an article published last week, Concentrate offers a great look at David Merritt, a young entrepreneur who founded I Miss You, or IMU.  IMU is an apparel company that fulfills David’s dream of blending business savvy with community commitment and service.

In the article, writer Jon Zemke offers that David is exactly the type of up and comer that is the foundation of our state’s best and brightest economy.  The article offers David’s insight on growing a company, why he chose to come back to Ann Arbor to grow IMU here, and what could work to attract others like him to locate in the Ann Arbor region.

Furthermore the legislation would allow states for the first time to set their own regulations on security laws.  What a nightmare that would be given that most innovative, high-growth, high-need start-ups raise money from people in more than one state.  Also it would add yet another bit of red tape for the entrepreneur to have to learn about and maneuver through.  Don’t we make it hard enough for entrepreneurs to work through all the rules and regulations already at the start-up phase?  How difficult do we want to make it to start a business?  Come on, these are the very people we’ve agreed will drive new employment and diversify our economy.

Write your senators and ask them not to support this portion of Senator Dodd’s bill.

It talks about angel investing and the need for more angels in Michigan.  They highlight two important people in this space, Rick Galdi and Terry Cross.  Great testimonials from these guys.  The reporter did a good job contacting several people involved with the angel community who know the importance of developing a strong angel base of investors to really help our entrepreneurs get this economy going again. 

Other pieces in the article talk about the proposed new state tax credit and Ann Arbor SPARK’s experimental educational program.  This topic is getting some momentum.  If you know of someone who is interested in learning more about being an angel have them call me.

“Jennifer’s experience in economic development is an asset that directly supports Ann Arbor SPARK’s efforts to expand the region’s economy,” said Michael A. Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK’s CEO.  “As we continue to look at ways to bring new business to our region and expand those businesses already calling Ann Arbor home, experienced leadership like Jennifer’s provides a distinct competitive advantage.”

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