Ann Arbor SPARK Announces Deadline For 4th Shifting Gears Program Application

Shifting Gears Delivers Track Record Of Helping Experienced Talent Work With Start-Ups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JULY 13, 2010 – ANN ARBOR, MICH. – Ann Arbor SPARK, the region's driving force of innovation and economic growth, will kick off its fourth Shifting Gears program this fall. Applications to the 2010 Shifting Gears program are due on September 3.  Leading up to the fall Shifting Gears program, SPARK also announced five information sessions beginning
August 3.

Shifting Gears information sessions will be offered on August 3, 11, 16 and 25 and September 1.  These free information sessions, held from 5:30-7 p.m. at SPARK East, will explain how the Shifting Gears program works and help attendees understand how it might help to advance their careers.  

o    Shifting Gears is an intensive four-month program that provides professional career coaching for executive talent.
o    Shifting Gears is ideal for those seeking opportunities in entrepreneurial and emerging businesses.
o    Applications to the 2010 Shifting Gears program are due on September 3.
o    Five free information sessions, beginning August 3 at SPARK East, will lead up to the fall Shifting Gears program.
o    For more information on Shifting Gears.


“Shifting Gears has a proven track record of helping corporate talent find meaningful jobs at local start-ups,” said Michael A. Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK CEO.  “In its three previous offerings, 42 people participated in Shifting Gears, and, to date, 28 of them have landed jobs in southeast Michigan.  Fast growth area firms including Adaptive Materials Inc., SRI and Compendia Bioscience have all hired Shifting Gears graduates.”

“Shifting Gears program was instrumental in exposing me to the unique challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship and small, innovation-driven firms,” said Scott Belanger, principal engineer, SRI International.

 

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan Works!/ETCS, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

 

# # #