|  | Ann Arbor Area | Ongoing Communication Regarding People & Facility Opportunities | |
SPARK's updates on activities, developments and
events associated with the Ann Arbor Community. | |
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| | The focus of Pfizer SWAT’s work now is getting things that are close completed. This includes the continued development of career services and related programming, and the finalization of an agreement for SPARK to develop a wet lab incubator in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor SPARK is continuing to get good response at its Career Fairs and Boot Camp programs. Upcoming programs include a job fair in conjunction with the University of Michigan health system on April 15 and the Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp.
Deadline for applications to the Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp is April 3. Boot Camp attendees will learn how to develop a solid business plan, design effective investor presentations, and have the opportunity to work one-on-one with experienced business executives and MBA students.
To date, 138 companies that have contacted SPARK with job opportunities, resulting in more than 400 jobs. These jobs, as well as many others, are available for review through SPARK’s career services.
In addition, 19 Pfizer groups are working with SPARK on spinning businesses out of their experience with Pfizer. SPARK continues to offer support to these emerging entrepreneurs through its business accelerator, including business planning advice and assistance in obtaining funding through grants, loans and other funding sources.
SPARK is also excited to report that it’s rolling out a significant business attraction campaign in the next 2-3 weeks. The campaign will include an e-mail marketing piece that is a Flash animation on why Ann Arbor is the address of innovation.
The marketing campaign will be sent to relocation advisors, companies in the life science sector, site selectors, and influencers — a list of about 2,000 companies & individuals that are interested in hearing about what SPARK is doing. SPARK is working in concert with MEDC on this project to ensure that the list of targets to receive this marketing campaign is robust.
Send comments to info@AnnArborSPARK.org.
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| | We’re hosting a Municipal Leaders meeting tonight (3/22) at Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor to discuss Ann Arbor SPARK activities and provide an update on the progress of the Pfizer SWAT (Strategic Working Action Teams). A community Town Hall on April 24 at the Ann Arbor Downtown Public Library will be the public’s opportunity to receive updates on Pfizer SWAT progress and Ann Arbor SPARK’s activities to support the growth and success of region’s workforce.
Progress is being made on so many levels, ultimately benefiting our region and community. We are currently engaged with 15 different Pfizer colleague groups that are interested in starting a business or continuing an existing business that was housed within Pfizer. Ann Arbor SPARK is providing business accelerator and start-up training services to these entrepreneurs.
Both Boot Camp and Special Forces Training is taking place in April—programs specially-designed to help entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. Additionally, we have reached out to the Foreign Nationals community to provide support for extending and transferring Visas.
Ann Arbor SPARK is seeing increased interest in the organization and the services it offers due to its highly visible role in the Pfizer SWAT. We’ve looked at 75 companies in the first quarter of this year and have engaged 40 companies for business acceleration services. To put this number into context, we provided business accelerator services to 23 companies TOTAL last year. Our only limitation with the number of companies our Business Accelerator team can assist will be our ability to fund their efforts.
Our Business Attraction group has connected with the regional Israel Business Bridge Group, a group formed to attract Israel-based businesses to the region. Three companies will be visiting our community within the next 2 months with the potential for establishing business in the Ann Arbor region.
Regarding the Pfizer site, we have captured 65 inquires and ideas for the site to date. More business ideas are needed to maximize the potential for the site.
As announced earlier this week, the Michigan Pre-Seed Fund recently awarded its first round of funding to Pixel Velocity and OTO Medicine of Ann Arbor and ParkingCarma of Flint. To date, 17 companies have applied for funding, with requests ranging from is $100-$250k. We’re finding that the business plans submitted for consideration for funding through the Pre-Seed Fund are highly fundable, and that companies applying are finding matching funds from angels, grants, including SBIR and Mott Foundation, and other sources. If Pre-Seed Fund activity continues at this pace, the Fund will be exhausted by the Fall of this year – the interest is amazing and speaks volumes about the State’s emerging start-up community.
Send comments to info@AnnArborSPARK.org.
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| | The Strategic Working Action Teams (S.W.A.T.) are making tremendous progress in identifying the specific challenges facing our community as a result of Pfizer's decision to close its facility in Ann Arbor. All of the teams have been meeting on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Some of the teams have formed subgroups to deal with specific challenges/ opportunities. More detailed updates on the progress of these community teams will be discussed at our first of three Town Hall meetings on March 8.
In addition to the progress being made by S.W.A.T., Pfizer has agreed to provide Ann Arbor SPARK with basic demographic information on its local workforce. This information will include broad categories on the types of experience and expertise of those working at Pfizer in Ann Arbor. This information will assist SPARK with identifying employment and business development opportunities for Pfizer employees.
The S.W.A.T. and Ann Arbor SPARK’s team are making progress in identifying and prioritizing the different options and opportunities that have been presented. All Pfizer S.W.A.T. teams are providing input, creating a broad collection of information, recommendations and funding needs regarding community impact, talent, business acceleration, policy, and site.
Ann Arbor SPARK has also been able to connect with approximately 30 percent of the Pfizer colleagues directly. Many of these contacts have come through the Career Change Boot Camps and other career services offered through Ann Arbor SPARK. Additionally, we have collected 500 resumes from Pfizer colleagues who want to stay in the area and are seeking job opportunities that would permit them to do so. We've also had a number of employers from both in and out of the region participate in career fairs and other recruiting opportunities.
More information on all of the resources available to Pfizer colleagues is available at www.AnnArborSPARK.org, or by calling (734) 615-5555 or (888) SPARK01 (888-772-7501).
Send comments to info@AnnArborSPARK.org.
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