Just when you thought all was doom and gloom in Michigan. A ray of hope hits.. Spark East Opened In Ypsilanti.. If you want to start a business there is no better place to look. Ypsilanti you ask? You haven’t been downtown lately check out Spark East, then head over to the new Mongolian Grille for some great food or any other really great establishment downtown..
Since its launch in 2008, the SPARK East Business Incubator has become a magnet for innovation-based businesses of every size and description – from entrepreneurs and start-ups to mid-sized companies. Here you’ll find work-ready office facilities equipped with the latest technology. Networking events and educational programs. Plus on-site mentoring from the SPARK East Entrepreneur Expert Resource Board (ERB). And because the Incubator is part of the new Eastside Innovation Campus, you’ll have access to an amazing array of business development centers, consulting expertise and educational programs. All concentrated within a two block area of downtown Ypsilanti. All dedicated to your success.
Business Incubator tenants have the option of attending a monthly meeting with the SPARK ERB – a group of experts in the fields of banking, finance, start-ups, marketing, sales, HR, and logistics. After presenting a five-minute report to board members and fellow entrepreneurs, you’ll receive a lightning round of feedback to help you stay on task and on target.
Business Space, Services, and Support
By combining crucial infrastructure with broad spectrum support services, the Incubator provides all the advantages of a dynamic business environment without costly overhead expenses. Tenant resources include:
- 15 cubicles, available with short- or long-term leases
- Designated company phone number - VOIP system
- Private T-1 internet connection
- Full kitchen
- Utilities
- Two conference rooms
- Access to copiers, fax machines, conference rooms, and cleaning services
- Dedicated recruiting staff to identify job candidates
- Nearby free parking
- Preferred status for Mingle & Match talent events
- Monthly meetings with the SPARK East Entrepreneur Resource Board (ERB) – the ERB is comprised of experts in the fields of banking/finance/startups/marketing/sales/HR/logistics. Each entrepreneur provides a 5 minute report to the group of board member sand fellow entrepreneurs and then receives a lightning round of10minutes of feedback and suggestions. This will infuse new ideas and keep the entrepreneur focused on their mile stones.
- Access to Expert Office Hours – coffee chats hosted by ERB members
- Inclusion in the Ann Arbor SPARK Power Lunch series
- Free admittance to the Entrepreneur Education 1.0: Launch and the Entrepreneur Education 2.0: Growth program series
Cost: $250/month for cubicle space
Amenities for Virtual Tenants
Entrepreneurs who prefer to maintain office space elsewhere — while leveraging the Incubator’s technology and facilities — have the option of becoming virtual tenants. Privileges include:
- Mail receipt
- Use of conference rooms and networking/hostelling space
- Preferred status for Mingle & Match talent events
- Open invitation to Expert Office Hours coffee chats, hosted by ERB members
Cost: $95/month
Location
215 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(8,000 square feet)
Who is eligible?
You are, if (1) your business is an innovation start-up or (2) your company’s technology is applicable to health care,life sciences, biotechnology, or a related field. In addition, the business must be focused on commercialization and based on an idea or technology that has defensible value (e.g., a patent, trade secrets,copyrights, know-how, etc.). For a complete list of criteria, visit our
Incubator FAQs.
Submit and Application
Apply now through our
Business Accelerator Business Idea Submission form.
Learn more!
If you are interested in learning more about the Incubator and the application process, contact:
Lori Emerson
Business Accelerator and Incubator Coordinator
Office: 734-527-9153
Email:
Lori@AnnArborUSA.org SPARK East Entrepreneur Resource Board (ERB)
Laura Boudette, Communications Expert
Laurahas worked on several European-wide initiatives in the field of corporate communications, public relations and journalism. Her work experience was primarily in the IT industry.
lauraboudette@yahoo.com
Paul Davis, Sales Expert
Paul has repeated success leading strategic account teams; managing profits centers of technical products with service business groups; directing technical support and product development; conducting benchmarking,customer satisfaction and market niche studies;developing marketing literature; teaching strategic selling and large account management for client sales efforts at target accounts;coaching and mentoring.
paul@accountdev.com
Andrew Jakimcius, Grant Expert
Andrew is a Principal Consultant at BBC, where he provides a broad range of support for the development and growth of technology-based companies including SBIR/STTR grant assistance.
andy@bioconsultants.com
Stan Jelic, Patent Expert
Stan Jelic is the founder of Jelic Patent Services, which provides patent-related services for individual inventors and small companies. sjelic@jelicpatent.com
Debbie Keipper, Marketing Expert
Debbie's expertise is in creating, executing and overseeing strategic marketing, branding and communications programs for the automotive and financial service industries. As Marketing Director for Intellitrends, she provides strategic insight and direction to client marketing and branding initiatives from concept to execution.
dlkeipper@hotmail.com
Andrew Kulpa, Legal Expert
Andrew M. Kulpa is an associate at Butzel Long where he concentrates his practice in corporate and limited liability company organization and operation, corporate transactions, and finance law. He is actively involved with negotiating and drafting transactions for closely held and public companies dealing with start-ups, general contract issues, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.
KULPA@butzel.com
Nancy Mathias, Coaching Expert
Nancy is President and Founder of Focus Leadership Development LLC, a coaching, training and consulting firm located in Birmingham, Michigan.
Nancy@focusld.com
Stew Nelson, Insurance Expert
Stewart V. Nelson is a founding member of the Kapnick Insurance, KICK Team that specializes in insurance and benefits for Life Science, Information Technology and IT dependent businesses.
snelson@uferinsurance.com
Charlie Penner, Small Business Expert
Charlie Penner has served as the Regional Director for the MI-SBTDC@WCC for five years. In this capacity he has provided counseling and training to many diverse small businesses.
CPenner@wccnet.edu
Cliff Sheldon, Banking Expert
Cliff has been an Ann Arbor community banker from 1966 to 2009 working with a variety of businesses including high tech, retail and real estate. Former board member of New Enterprise Forum. Board member of company manufacturing products for health care industry. In process of approval as SCORE counselor.
cliff.sheldon@gmail.com
Patty Schwartz, HR Expert
With over 35 years in Human Resource Management, Patty Schwartz recently retired from Ann Arbor’s NSK Corporation as the Director of Human Resource.
Scott Trossen, HR Expert
Scott Trossen has expertise in talent management,organization development and training, compensation and benefits, and HR compliance. His firm, SOI HR Solutions, assists in selecting and strengthening staff, managing and mitigating risk, and improving business processes.
scott@SOIstaff.com
Ann Arbor SPARK: 201 S. Division, Suite 430 • Ann Arbor, MI 48104 • 734.761.9317
SPARK Business & Wet Lab Incubators
SPARK Central Business Incubator: 330 East Liberty Street • Ann Arbor, MI 48104
SPARK East Business Incubator: 215 W. Michigan Avenue • Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Michigan Life Science Innovation Center: 46701 Commerce Center Drive • Plymouth, MI 48170