ANN ARBOR - Ann Arbor SPARK and its partners received a maximum award of $3 million from the Small Business Support Hubs program to provide financial assistance to small businesses and startups. SPARK's partners include the Howell Chamber of Commerce, Jewish Family Services, Launch 734 from Monroe County Business Alliance, the Michigan SBDC Greater Washtenaw
DETROIT – Michigan Venture Capital Association, the trade association for the venture capital and angel community in Michigan, celebrated the Michigan ecosystem during its 2023 Annual Awards Dinner held at The Fillmore Detroit on September 28 and presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Skip Simms, former Arbor SPARK vice president and Michigan Angel Fund managing
ANN ARBOR - Ann Arbor SPARK has announced its events calendar for A2Tech360, featuring the spirit of innovation through experiences, conversations, and connections that strengthen and expand the region’s vibrant technology ecosystem. The events from from Sept. 14 to 22. Each event is tailored to a variety of interests and audiences, including entrepreneurs, researchers, investors,
ANN ARBOR — Ann Arbor SPARK has launched the Livingston and Washtenaw Counties Child Care Coalition. This effort brings together local child care providers, families, policymakers, and businesses to address the issue of child care from an economic development perspective. The coalition will work together to develop and implement a regional action plan over the
ANN ARBOR - Skip Simms was one of Ann Arbor SPARK's first employees when it was created a couple decades ago to provide business training and services to the Ann Arbor tech community, including engineers coming out of the University of Michigan. On Dec. 31, Simms retired from SPARK and stepped down as managing partner
ANN ARBOR — Long time SPARK senior executive Skip Simms retired effective Dec. 31, 2022, and was succeeded by Mike Flanagan will continue in his role at Ann Arbor SPARK as the vice president of capital programs and succeed Simms as the managing member for the Michigan Angel Fund. Simms recruited Flanagan seven years ago
ANN ARBOR — Ann Arbor SPARK announced that Tom Crawford has been contracted to serve as chief financial officer. Crawford brings to the organization a deep knowledge of financial strategy, human resources, and IT services in both the municipal and private sectors. As a senior member of the executive team, Crawford reports directly to CEO
ANN ARBOR — Ann Arbor SPARK’s annual Tech Homecoming event returns this year to connect growing companies with job seekers. The free, annual event will be held in-person on Wednesday, November 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cahoots in downtown Ann Arbor. “Job seekers and recruiters alike love Tech Homecoming’s casual atmosphere,” said Jenn
ANN ARBOR — The Michigan STEM Forward internship program recently placed its 500th intern — a significant milestone for the statewide service that launched in March 2021. Since then, it has continued to pair Michigan students and companies, providing a much-valued resource designed to retain top talent in the state. “Recruiting and retaining talent is
ANN ARBOR - As part of its a2Tech360 week-long series of events, Ann Arbor SPARK awarded $200,000 to startups during Invest360, a pitch competition that recognizes promising emerging companies in the mobility, healthcare, and information technology sectors. The winners, Functional Fluidics, Jottful, and M-Vision were each awarded $50,000 on October 7 during the first part
