Ann Arbor SPARK Launches New "Selling Smart Workshop" Series
ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK will kick off a new entrepreneurial education series, the Selling Smart Workshop, on June 6, 9-11 a.m. at SPARK Central.  This first event in the series, "A Practical Process for Selling Services," will offer information on how to create a systematic approach for qualifying leads and closing opportunities.  "Sales is an aspect of business that so many entrepreneurs struggle with, yet it's absolutely critical to a company's success," said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO.  "Ann Arbor SPARK's entrepreneurial education services, including workshops like the Selling Smart series, are designed to bridge these gaps between technical acumen and professional skills." ...

STEL Technologies and Warmilu Awarded Best of Ann Arbor SPARK Boot Camp
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At the conclusion of Ann Arbor SPARK's 20th Entrepreneur Boot Camp, STEL Technologies was awarded Best of Boot Camp and Warmilu, LLC was awarded Boot Camp's Best Pitch.  As Best of Boot Camp, STEL Technologies received membership to the New Enterprise Forum (NEF) and a NEF coaching team for one year as well as an engagement with the Ann Arbor SPARK business accelerator. STEL Technologies is a University of Michigan spin out that is developing engineered tissue for replacement of torn knee ligaments in dogs.  Unlike current methods that alter knee function and have long recovery times, STEL Technologies' tissue grafts enable dogs to grow new ligament, walk shortly after surgery and maximize ...

Twelve Companies Receive Michigan Microloan Fund Program Awards
ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve Michigan companies have received a combined total of more than $444,000 through the Michigan Microloan Fund Program, bringing the total amount loaned through the Fund to more than $2.4 million.  The companies received the funding to support commercialization of their core products.  "The companies that received Michigan Microloan Fund Program awards represent the wide range of innovations taking root across the state," said Skip Simms, Ann Arbor SPARK senior vice president and Fund administrator.  "Helping these emerging businesses bring their products to market is a solid step forward in creating a diverse economy in Michigan." 2 of 10, LLC, of Chesterfield, is commercializing ...

Update: Ann Arbor SPARK Launches Videos to Promote Economic Development Services
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK, a public-private partnership whose mission is to advance the economy in the Ann Arbor region, recently launched the first of four videos that will describe SPARK's core initiatives to support business and workforce development.

Ann Arbor SPARK Launches Videos to Promote Economic Development Services
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK, a public-private partnership whose mission is to advance innovation-based economic development in the greater Ann Arbor region, recently launched the first in a four video series highlighting its work.  Available on its website and YouTube channel, each of the videos focuses on a different area of the organization's work, and is designed to show how Ann Arbor SPARK helps businesses and talent to create economic opportunity in the region. The videos were created by Emmy award winner Beth Tanenhaus Winsten of Ann Arbor's tinyBigPictureshows.