Business Accelerator Grants

Grants for consulting services such as business modeling, marketing, strategic planning, or intellectual property advice. 

Funding type

Grant

Amount

Ann Arbor companies: Awards are typically $1,000 - $10,000, with a maximum of $50,000 total.   

Outside of Ann Arbor: Up to $50,000 and start-up pays 10% of total grant

Use of Funds

Grant paid directly to a consultant, for services such as:

  • Business plan development assistance
  • Intellectual property advice
  • Legal assistance on patents and freedom to operate
  • Marketing and business development strategies
  • Assistance in locating financing opportunities
  • Management coaching
  • Entrepreneurial education programs

Geography

If in Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, Jackson, or Lenawee County, contact Ann Arbor SPARK. If outside the Ann Arbor region, contact your local SmartZone to apply for the state-wide Business Accelerator Fund. 

Criteria for all startups

Industry--Technology-driven company, especially with defensible intellectual property
Early Stage -- Less than $1 million outside investment, and less than $1 million or $2.5 million in 12-month trailing revenue (depends on program requirement)
Presence in Michigan -- Company is registered with the State of Michigan, and at least half of employees physically work in Michigan 
Follow-up -- Company is required to report quarterly during a funding engagement, and annually afterwards for 5 years
Other Criteria -- Depend on requirements of the particular program

how to apply

  1. If your business is within Washtenaw County, submit your business idea on SPARK’s website; if your business is located outside of Washtenaw County, contact your closest SmartZone
  2. Email the following materials to newbusiness@annarborusa.org:
    1. Business plan or executive summary (5-10 pgs); you can use our template or score sheet for guidance
    2. Pro-forma financials, 3-5 year forecast, including cash flow statement, income statement and current balance sheet
    3. Bios, resumes, or CVs of all founders, 1-2 pages per person
  3. A SPARK employee will contact you within 2-3 business days to determine which program is the right fit
  4. Sign and return a Statement of Understanding (may be completed at your first in-person meeting at SPARK)  and keep our Conflict of Interest Policy for your records
  5. A SPARK employee will work with you to revise your materials as needed

Timing

After first meeting with a SPARK employee, it can take a few weeks to submit a completed application, depending on the amount of revisions needed in the business plan and proposal. Review and recommendation takes 1-4 weeks.

GRANTs AVAILABLE OUTSIDE OF SPARK:

The Michigan Emerging Technologies Fund (pdf) adds funding to Michigan technology based companies receiving SBIR grants. This program is administered by the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC), and funded through Michigan Strategic Fund.