Ann Arbor SPARK snags $250K in accelerator funding

The U.S. Commerce Department‘s Economic Development Administration last week announced a $250,000 grant award to Ann Arbor SPARK. The funding will support development of a business accelerator model that can be used by communities throughout the U.S.

Ann Arbor SPARK’s model will assist emerging businesses with marketing and development plans, as well as commercialization strategies, according to the organization. Initially, it said, the model will be deployed in Washtenaw and Wayne counties in Southeast Michigan, expanding to communities across Michigan that wish to start their own accelerator programs.

Author: Sarah Schmid Stevenson

Sarah is a former Xconomy editor. Prior to joining Xconomy in 2011, she did communications work for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan House of Representatives. She has also worked as a reporter and copy editor at the Missoula Independent and the Lansing State Journal. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Native American Studies from the University of Montana and proudly calls Detroit "the most fascinating city I've ever lived in."