Jennifer Owens Joins Ann Arbor SPARK
On December 7, Jennifer Owens will join Ann Arbor SPARK as its new vice president, business development. In this role, Owens will support efforts to attract and retain new businesses to the Ann Arbor region. “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... [Read More...]
Systems In Motion Selects Ann Arbor
Systems In Motion, a Silicon Valley-based IT services firm, has chosen to locate a new support center in the Ann Arbor region. Systems In Motion was approved today for state tax credits by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority board, and will also receive support from Ann Arbor SPARK, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Washtenaw County Employment Training and Community Services (ETCS-Michigan Works!), Michigan Department of Information... [Read More...]
Dexter Research & Axiobionics Expand in Ann Arbor, Create New Jobs
Axiobionics and Dexter Research are expanding in Ann Arbor with MEGA tax credits from the State of Michigan. approved today. Dexter Research, founded in 1977, is a leading global manufacturer of infrared thin-film thermopile and silicon detectors that are used in OEM products in the automotive, gas analysis, medical, military and defense industries. The company plans to expand at its current location and renovate existing lab environments and... [Read More...]
SPARK East Awarded $250,000 Grant
Washtenaw County, in partnership with Eastern Michigan University and Ann Arbor SPARK, has been selected by the Michigan Strategic Fund to receive an award of $250,000 in grant funding through MEDC and the state of Michigan. The grant will support SPARK East, the third business incubator in SPARK’s Regional Incubator Network; located at 215 W. Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti, SPARK East offers affordable office space, and critical start-up services,... [Read More...]
21st Century Jobs Fund Awardees
The SEIC Board approved the recommendations of the NCMS reviewers giving 17 companies approval to borrow money from the state, totaling almost $30 million. The 17 were the top scoring proposals of the 51 reviewed. If any of the 17 change their mind about accepting the loan or the MEDC due diligence reveals inconsistencies in proposals causing some of the awards to be invalidated, the companies ranking 18, 19 or beyond would be approved. This... [Read More...]
21CJF Applicants Notified of Fate
Announcements went out advising companies they made it to the written review phase Applicants for this round of the 21st Century Jobs Fund competition were notified yesterday that they were approved to move forward to the written review phase. About 90 companies are moving forward. We haven’t heard yet what the 26 companies were told who didn’t move forward. This phase of the competition will take another two weeks. NCMS will recommend... [Read More...]
21CJF Update
New information about application content Have you read the FAQ regarding the 21st Century Jobs Fund competition recently? Here’s the link: http://ref.themedc.org/cm/attach/18efd0c7-95d3-4a2f-89e4-cae672d8ecd2/20080428_FAQs.pdf Here are some highlights that shed more light on the RFP. You already know there will be 2 types of loans, a straight loan and a convertible note. Which will apply to you? The MEDC says this will be negotiated... [Read More...]
SEIC Meeting Review
Summary of meeting of SEIC Board on April 9 The SEIC Board met on April 9, 2008 to approve the RFP for the next round of the 21st Century Jobs Fund, officially launching the competition for $30 million to be loaned to technology companies in Michigan. There was discussion about the RFP and the competion, and the RFP for peer review organizations to judge the competition. Our friend David Havilland with Shepherd Advisors was there and has summarized... [Read More...]
Next Round
RFP Draft currently available The application period opens April 9 for the next competitive round of 21st Century Jobs Fund loans. The SEIC Board met last week and approved the draft for who is eligible. Public comments will be received next week, March 26. For more on the SEIC meeting I refer you to the blog of our friend David Haviland with Shepherd Advisors. His summary of that meeting is here: http://mi21cjf.proboards100.com/index.cgi?board=306news&action=display&thread=26 David... [Read More...]
MI Pre-Seed Capital Fund Q1 Investments
3 new investments made by PSF The Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund has made three more investments bringing the total number of investments to 22. The three lastest investments were companies in Lansing, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Two were life science companies and the third in homeland security and defense sector. Read the full press release at http://www.annarborspark.org/business-resources/news-of-note/Index.cfm?i=2398 Michigan Pre-Seed Capital... [Read More...]
