Michigan Venture Capital Association puts $3.1 million into new programs
Michigan's emerging venture capital community has taken some significant steps forward in the last few years, welcoming a handful of new VC firms and watching one of its star players cross the $100 million mark. These are among the first fruits harvested from continued work to build up the state's investment community. The Michigan Venture Capital Association looks to continue that with a few new programs focused on growing the state's... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Wins Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council
We’re proud to have been recognized by the International Economic Development Council with an Excellence in Economic Development Award. The award recognized the MichAGAIN campaign in the category of Human Capital for communities with populations of 200,000 – 500,000. “We recognize Ann Arbor SPARK for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery,” said Dennis Coleman,... [Read More...]
Live Event Streaming Kicks Off This Week!
We’re excited to kick off our live event Web streaming this week with three great events: Marketing Roundtable on September 13, BioArbor on September 14, and Deal Structures on September 15. The Marketing Roundtable, from 5:30-7 p.m., is on how to turn customers and stakeholders into advocates. Join consumer and business marketing experts as they reveal the latest integrated marketing and customer satisfaction strategies for creating relationships... [Read More...]
Finding a Good Crop of Employees: NPR Offers Up Close Look at Michigan’s Agriculture Economy
A recent “Changing Gears” series on Michigan Radio explored Michigan’s agriculture economy. In part five of the five part series, SPARK president and CEO Paul Krutko offers that “prospective workers want to take jobs in places where they know there are more jobs.” With his insight, Krutko explains that agriculture talent — and the needs of this population — are no different that the needs of high tech workers... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK scores $10.8M for investments and programs
Ann Arbor SPARK plans to spread $10.8 million it received from the state last week toward replenishing the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, funding the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition and starting the Michigan Angel Fund. The Michigan Economic Development Corp awarded the money from the state’s 21st Century Jobs Fund. Most of it, $9.17 million, will go toward reloading the four-year-old Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund. The $14 million... [Read More...]
MichAGAIN event in D.C. gathers large crowd
Some of the event organizers: LeRoy Newland, GE; Stefanie Ridenour, MEDC; Me; Valerie Furchi, GE; and John Hill, MSU What do you get when you mix a handful of Michiganders and 125+ alums from the great state? An amazing night filled with networking, laughs, rivalry talk and memories. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s MichAGAIN Campaign was in full effect last night at Policy Lounge in Washington DC. The group of state and... [Read More...]
Lakeside Software to Expand with New Ann Arbor Facility
Lakeside Software will grow its software development operations in Michigan, with a new location in Ann Arbor and an expansion to its existing operations in Bloomfield Hills. The company recently received a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) tax credit totaling $731,244 to help encourage the expansion. Lakeside Software plans to invest $6.1 million to expand existing operations in Bloomfield Hills, as well as locate operations in Ann... [Read More...]
Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund Invests $2.5 Million in 2010
Several Michigan companies recently received investments from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, pushing the total investments made through the Fund to over $11.6 million. To date, 52 Michigan companies have received seed funding from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, a collaborative effort of Michigan’s SmartZones. “Companies that received support from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund are currently employing 285 people throughout... [Read More...]
Zingerman’s Delicatessen and New Eagle Announce Expansions in Ann Arbor Area
Zingerman’s Delicatessen was awarded tax credits and New Eagle LLC announced a Technology Collaboration credit with Powertrain Integration, LLC. The companies will use the funding to help them expand in the region. Zingerman’s Brownfield Michigan Business Tax credit award is valued at $1.1 million and Madison Heights-based Powertrain Integration, LLC’s Technology Collaboration Credit is valued at $300,000 based on a $2 million investment... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK Takes Top Honors at MEDA, IEDC Awards
Ann Arbor SPARK’s marketing materials recently took top honors from the Michigan Economic Development Association. Also, our business accelerator was awarded honorable mention from the International Economic Development Council. Valerie Christofferson accepts Ann Arbor SPARK's IEDC award. L to R: William Best, FM – Chairman of the IEDC Board of Directors; Christofferson; Timothy Solomon, CEcD – Chairman of the IEDC Awards Task Force... [Read More...]
