Ann Arbor SPARK Meeting Highlights Regional Economic Achievements

The 2023 Annual Meeting of Ann Arbor SPARK, a group that serves the greater Ann Arbor region as a catalyst for economic development, recently took place at Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center in Ypsilanti, where the organization’s accomplishments over the past year were highlighted.
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Ann Arbor SPARK meeting
Ann Arbor SPARK recently celebrated the group’s successes over the past year at its annual meeting. // Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor SPARK

The 2023 Annual Meeting of Ann Arbor SPARK, a group that serves the greater Ann Arbor region as a catalyst for economic development, recently took place at Eastern Michigan University’s Student Center in Ypsilanti, where the organization’s accomplishments over the past year were highlighted.

The festivities included a review of SPARK’s 2022 Annual Report, an awards program recognizing noteworthy projects and contributions, and a keynote address by Santa Ono, president of the University of Michigan.

“We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support and active engagement of the community in our mission,” says Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “It is through (the community’s) collaboration and dedication that we have been able to achieve such remarkable outcomes.”

In 2022, Ann Arbor SPARK continued to drive economic growth by providing startups and businesses with the necessary resources to succeed. Some notable achievements include:

Entrepreneurial Services: Ann Arbor SPARK made significant strides in nurturing growth and innovation in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti SmartZone. Throughout 2022, the organization provided consulting support and critical services to 333 startups, which collectively employed more than 900 individuals. Of the startups, 101 found a home in one of SPARK’s two innovation centers: SPARK Central in Ann Arbor and SPARK East in Ypsilanti.

Business Development:
 In 2022, the team facilitated 24 successful company growth projects, securing new investment commitments exceeding $155 million. These projects resulted in the creation of 559 new jobs and the retention of over 900 existing positions, underscoring SPARK’s commitment to strengthening the local workforce.

Pre-Seed Investments: Ann Arbor SPARK awarded 34 pre-seed investments to 31 companies, averaging nearly $300,000 per company.

Michigan Angel Fund: In 2022, the Michigan Angel Fund invested more than $2.2 million in 10 companies. The investments attracted matching investments, leading to a total funding of $194 million and creating employment opportunities for 876 Michiganders.

a2Tech360: In 2022, a2Tech360 experienced substantial growth and transformation, hosting more than 20 in-person and five virtual events over the course of a week. The event attracted participation from more than 60 companies and drew 13,000 registrants across its 25 events.

During the program, Ann Arbor SPARK recognized major successes and key projects from the previous year through the board chair awards:

Entrepreneurial Services Company of the Year:
AlertWatch specializes in clinically proven patient monitoring software solutions. Over the past decade, this local healthcare technology company has developed and deployed clinical intelligence and triage solutions across various hospital care settings.

AlertWatch’s partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK, including seed-stage investment in 2013, has supported the growth of its technology platform, expanded its customer base, and increased its visibility in the health care industry.

Business Development Project of the Year:

Sartorius is a global life sciences research and biopharmaceutical partner focused on simplifying and accelerating progress in the respective fields. Their new Center of Excellence for lab products and services in Ann Arbor will be a LEED-certified, carbon-neutral facility equipped with advanced technology. The site is expected to employ up to 300 individuals after its completion in spring 2024.

Economic Development Champion:
Rose B. Bellanca, president of Washtenaw Community College, was honored as Economic Development Champion her leadership and contributions to economic development in the region. Bellanca has established strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations, creating opportunities for students and promoting workforce development in the area.

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