Ann Arbor SPARK Incubator Clients Awarded $650,000 Business Funding
The Ann Arbor SPARK Foundation recently presented the winners of the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition with their cash awards. The competition’s grand prize of $500,000 in cash was awarded to DeNovo Sciences and the competition’s $150,000 prize was awarded to Fusion Coolant Systems. DeNovo Sciences accepts their award at the Michigan Life Sciences Innovation Center. “DeNovo Sciences and Fusion Coolant Systems highlight how having... [Read More...]
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...]
Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Announces 53 Semi-Finalists
Semi-finalists for the $1 million Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition were announced today. The 53 semi-finalist companies will deliver their business pitches to investors on November 16-17 at the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest for the chance to win cash and prizes. Ann Arbor area semi-finalists are Vinci Technology Corp, Current Motor, ECO-Fueling, Accio Energy, Arbor Wind, H3D, GPX Software, i3D Technologies Inc.,... [Read More...]
Congrats to Lycera: Biotech Company Moves to U-M’s NCRC
Congratulations to Lycera on graduating from our Michigan Life Science & Innovation Center biotech incubator to U-M’s North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)! The move will accommodate the growing company’s need for more space; in the fall, Lycera will move into 14,000 square feet at NCRC. Lycera, a biopharmaceutical company and University of Michigan spinoff, pioneers innovative approaches to the discovery and development of novel... [Read More...]
Lycera and Merck Reach Deal to Collaborate
AnnArbor.com is reporting that Lycera, a University of Michigan spin off company, has reached a research agreement with Merck . In an announcement, the companies said they’d work together to “discover, develop and commercialize small molecules that target T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, key mediators of inflammation. The collaboration will focus on developing drug candidates that have the potential to treat major autoimmune... [Read More...]
SPARK Wins Midwest Collaboration Award
At the 2010 Midwest Collaboration Awards, as presented by the Midwest Technology leaders, Ann Arbor SPARK was honored for its collaboration with the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center (MLSIC). The award identifies, creates, supports, and honors impacting partnerships between Midwest companies and local individuals/groups benefitting the technology community. The award was a result of SPARK’s work on vital entrepreneurial programs... [Read More...]
21st Century Jobs Fund Applicants
109 companies applied for funding The numbers are in. 109 companies applied for funding in this round of the 21st Century Jobs Fund competition. An astounding total of $451 million is being asked for in total. Here’s a breakdown of the applicants: 27 in Advanced Automotive, Manufacturing, and Materials asking for $157,845,672 14 in Alternative Energy asked for $71,729,846 19 in Homeland Security and Defense asked for $43,402,965 49 Life... [Read More...]
Company Formation Loans Delayed
No loans in December, Wait to January The MEDC isn’t prepared to present the applicants for Company Formation Fund loans this month. They are still trying to catch up processing the loans approved last month. You will recall the program was opened the first of November. A rush of about 30 companies was processed and about 25 were approved for loans totalling more than $4 million by the MSF Board on Nov. 28. Now all the paperwork needs... [Read More...]
MI Pre-Seed Capital Fund update
New investments made since June, 2007 There was not a slow down in deal flow for the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund during the summer and it continues through the fall. Since our last post we have made investments in these companies… Phrixus Pharmaceuticals – Ann Arbor Avidimer Therapeutics – Ann Arbor Compendia Bioscience – Ann Arbor Accord Biomaterial – Ann Arbor Hybra-Drive Systems – Deerfield RazorThreat –... [Read More...]
