SPARK East Incubator

Action Outcome

Status

• SPARK East opened in March of 2009.
• Secured a $1.2M five-year operating budget from grants and key stakeholders (see funding sources below).
• Currently 70% occupied with ten physical tenants and five virtual tenants: 

       A All Animals -- Green animal and pest control
       Brainstorm Creative -- International greeting card and gaming supplier
       Clean Suite Inspections (CSI) -- "Green Clean" certified inspector 
       Climate Technologies -- New technology for alternative energy
       GRH, LLC -- Medical devices manufacturing company
       Michigan Job Development
       Radiant Communications -- Voice Image services: training, speaking and coaching
       Sensei Change Associates -- Strategic and organizational change consulting services
       The Elbow Room -- Existing bar/music venue expanding its product line
       VC Web Design -- Offers a full line of web services
       Magic Coast (Virtual) -- Internet video streaming service
       Real Kidz (Virtual) -- Clothing for girls ages 5-12 focusing on above average sizes

• SPARK East is home to the Shifting Gears program, which helps former “big company” employees transition into “new economy” leaders.
• The incubator has hosted over 50 events in 2009 including the entrepreneur marketing educational program Marketing Roundtable, career transition Brown Bag lunch series, business launch of Real Kidz and community events such as “The B Side” graduations.

For information contact Shamar Herron, SPARK East Manager, at Shamar@annarborusa.org or visit www.annarborusa.org.