Ann Arbor SPARK Provides Entrepreneurship Service, Grants In Washtenaw County

April 27, 2024

29 1 minute read

ANN ARBOR – Bill Mayer, senior vice president at Ann Arbor SPARK, one of 18 smart zones in Michigan, joins Matt and Mike on MITech TV to talk about the services SPARK provides entrepreneurs in Washtenaw County.

STARTUP SERVICES Work with a team dedicated to accelerating early-stage tech companies at Michigan’s most successful startup incubator. Entrepreneur Boot Camp teaches the Lean Startup methodology and pairs early-stage startups with experienced entrepreneurs and mentors.

SPARK’s Startup Acceleration services include free educational workshops and training events, business acceleration grants, and invitation-only networking opportunities. Become a client of our Coworking Programs to work from one of our two innovation centers located in downtown Ann Arbor and downtown Ypsilanti. Early-stage clients have the opportunity to work directly with our experienced coaches and mentors, which includes the entrepreneur-in-residence program.

BUSINESS EXPANSION Connect with regional experts supporting existing companies by linking them to the critical resources they need to locate, stay, and grow here. SPARK’s Site Selection Consulting provides that feet-on-the-ground resource, ready to provide regional data, make introductions, and help ease the process of taking your location projects. Our experts can help navigate the different state and local incentives available to businesses looking to grow in southeast Michigan. We can help with your talent acquisition needs. Gain insights into the talent pool in the greater Ann Arbor region and work with SPARK to build and grow your workforce. We’ve got the data to help you understand the regional demographics and gain other research-driven insights.

SPARK provides municipality support, working closely with the public sector to attract businesses and talent to their communities.

FUNDING Engage with experienced investors who finance early-stage tech startups and are helping grow the state’s angel investor community.

SPARK’s capital programs team provides education, guidance, and funding for entrepreneurs ready to launch their first startup, nurturing them from the idea stage and startup stage through the growth stage. High-net-worth individuals interested in angel investing can learn more about getting started in funding early-stage tech ventures.