Ann Arbor SPARK Celebrates Region’s Economic Progress, Achievements at Annual Meeting

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–At its annual meeting, Ann Arbor SPARK honored leading regional
businesses and released its annual report as well as announced its new
A2Tech360 program. The annual meeting also featured Ann Arbor SPARK’s
annual board chair awards as well as a keynote address by The Ralph
Wilson, Jr. Foundation president and CEO David O. Egner.

A highlight of the annual meeting was the unveiling of Ann Arbor SPARK’s strategic
plan. In this updated plan, the organization’s previous five areas
of focus – acceleration, talent, growth, leadership, and planning – were
expanded to include communications and engagement. Key activities in
these areas of focus were revealed to be funding to support startups and
second stage companies, increasing angel activity creating new and
supporting existing initiatives to connect employers and job seekers,
and building on current marketing and communications efforts to further
engage a national and global audience.

“The Ann Arbor SPARK annual meeting convenes thought leaders from so
many parts of our community, all who care passionately about our
economic prosperity,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor
SPARK. “From our 15 year SmartZone extension, awarded by the State of
Michigan, to the opening of the American Center for Mobility, to the
continued expansion of global brands in our region, 2017 was an exciting
year. As always, Ann Arbor SPARK and its partners will continue to focus
on the opportunities these successes create for our economy.”

Ann Arbor SPARK’s work in 2017 continued to boost the region’s economy
through business growth and success:

• Business attraction and retention of 40 successful projects, resulting
  in $120 million in new investment commitments and 2050 announced jobs
• Assistance to 217 startups, and incubation of 85 startup companies

Entrepreneurial Services Company of the Year SkySpecs is the
first and only provider of completely automated wind turbine blade
inspections using a drone and highly intuitive software that allows for
repeatability, high-quality data, and safer inspections. Ann Arbor SPARK
has worked with SkySpecs since its inception, when it participated in
Entrepreneur Boot Camp in 2012. The company has previously been a tenant
at the SPARK Central Innovation Center, received funding from the
Michigan Angel Fund as well as several grants that supported its early
legal, business development, and marketing. Last year, SkySpecs raised
an impressive $8 million Series B financing round, attracting capital
from outside the state as well as in Michigan.

Volunteer of the Year Mandy Grewal, supervisor of Pittsfield
Charter Township, is a community volunteer whose work and leadership has
significant impact on the Ann Arbor region. In addition to serving on
Ann Arbor SPARK’s executive committee, she co-chairs its public sector
committee. She also serves on the Southeast Michigan Council of
Government’s executive committee and chairs its finance and budget
committee. Since beginning work together, Ann Arbor SPARK and Pittsfield
Township have collaborated to attract 76 projects resulting in more than
$160 million in investment and 4500 new jobs.

The Project of the Year was awarded to three companies whose combined
contributions to the region’s economy prove that Ann Arbor is the
nation’s epicenter for mobility. In 2017, FordLabs and Lear established
innovation offices focused on software and mobility in downtown Ann
Arbor. French-based NAVYA chose Saline for its first manufacturing
facility for its autonomous bus fleets. It is exciting to see this
industry grow in the Ann Arbor region and fitting to recognize these
businesses for their vision and leadership.

Ann Arbor SPARK’s annual meeting was made possible through support from
sponsors, including premier sponsors Comcast Business and DTE Energy
Foundation.

About Ann Arbor SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by
encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and
retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business
at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK
collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor
partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan
University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston
County, the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone
(LDFA), Washtenaw County /Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank
of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more
information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

Contacts

Ann Arbor SPARK
Jenn Cornell, 734-765-0174
[email protected]