Services

Our services focus on building our innovation-focused community through continual proactive support of entrepreneurs, regional businesses, university tech transfer offices, and networking organizations. By attracting and effectively deploying talent, investment, and other resources, Ann Arbor SPARK helps to accelerate the growth of innovation-focused companies and jobs in the area.

Whether your business is starting here or relocating here, helping startups get off to a strong, healthy start is our specialty.

Business Accelerator
Designed to shorten the time required for start-ups to attract capital, customers, or other resources
The Entrepreneur Boot Camp Program
Two intensive days of learning that compresses the usual three-month learning curve to move a business to the next level
Research your market and competitive landscape
Develop business model strategies
Intellectual property validation and FTO reports
Marketing and sales initiatives
Identify key employee needs and opportunities
Prepare a business plan and financial analysis
Review product plans, validation steps, and regulatory issues
Create a compelling case for attracting funding and other resources

Space/Expansion & Equipment
We can help you find what your business needs to grow in the area. Our services include:

Site searches of industrial and office sites and buildings
Community tours and introductions to business leaders
A database of employers in the county that is continually updated and expanded
Access to business, educational and community resources
Provision of business costs, demographics and other statistical data
Community and business materials in German and Japanese
Facilitate requests for lab equipment for start-up Life Science companies

Business Growth & Expansion
Ann Arbor SPARK offers a variety of programs, resources, and educational opportunities for growing businesses.

Recognizing Excellence
FastTrack is an exciting annual program sponsored by Ann Arbor SPARK recognizing companies in Washtenaw County for outstanding business success.

Tax-Exempt Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRBs)
Issued to finance the acquisition, construction, installation or rehabilitation of manufacturing facilities and offer the principal benefit of low rate of interest.

Space and Equipment
We know the region thoroughly, and can help you with site searches of industrial and office buildings, vacant land, incubator space.

Talent
The quality of our workforce is second to none. The region's colleges and universities educate, train, and graduate thousands annually resulting in a year-round pool of young, bright, capable people.

Educational Forums
Ann Arbor SPARK works with all the industry groups in the region. One of our professionals can help you find the one that's right for you.

Incentives
An Ann Arbor SPARK professional can help you assess state of Michigan tax abatements and federal programs.

Export Assistance
Information on export assistance and international trade is available from several programs and we can help you find the one right for you.

Financing
Knowing the financial options in the region is critical to any business, and we can help. The Ann Arbor region is rich with venture capitalists and Angel investors looking to make equity investments in early stage and emerging growth companies.

University Connections
Ann Arbor SPARK can be your conduit to the tremendous resources at the region's colleges and universities.