Ann Arbor SPARK celebrates milestone year with 400 leaders at annual meeting

Nearly 400 business, academic, and community leaders gathered at Eastern Michigan University Student Center on May 21st for IASP member Ann Arbor SPARK's annual meeting, celebrating a successful year of regional innovation and economic impact.

The organisation's 2024 achievements painted a picture of significant growth across Michigan's innovation ecosystem. SPARK's Entrepreneurial Services team provided consulting to over 450 startups while supporting more than 1,000 jobs. The SPARK East Innovation Center alone backed 38 Ypsilanti-based startups and reached 480 youth through education initiatives.

"We're proud to partner with so many forward-thinking leaders who believe in the power of innovation to strengthen our economy and communities," said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO.

The numbers tell a compelling story of regional transformation. SPARK's Small Business Support Hub assisted over 200 small businesses—more than 60% women- and minority-owned—while helping launch 18 new companies. Through 17 business development projects, the organization generated over $97 million in private investment supporting nearly 1,200 jobs.

Investment impact extended further through SPARK Capital and the Michigan Angel Fund, which have deployed over $59 million to date, helping Michigan startups raise more than $1.5 billion in follow-on funding.

The evening's keynote speaker, award-winning journalist Abrahm Lustgarten, author of "On the Move", addressed climate migration's future impact on communities like Washtenaw County. His presentation connected climate resilience to talent attraction and long-term economic competitiveness, emphasising Michigan's growing reputation as a climate-resilient destination.

SPARK also highlighted initiatives addressing regional challenges, including a Child Care Coalition tackling workforce participation barriers and advocacy for Michigan's new R&D tax credit.

Congratulations to Ann Arbor SPARK on this successful annual meeting and the many highlights from their innovation ecosystem and its impact on the region.