Ann Arbor SPARK highlighted the Ann Arbor region’s leadership in mobility and energy innovation at The Battery Show North America, one of the largest advanced battery and electric vehicle technology events in North America. Held at Huntington Place in Detroit, October 7-9, 2025, the expo drew over 21,000 attendees and more than 1,300 exhibitors from around the world.
SPARK brought four cutting-edge startups — APT Solar, Thought Labs, Satori XR, and NIFT — to exhibit at the show. Together, these companies demonstrated the region’s strength in deep tech, clean energy, and electrification, showcasing innovations that span advanced solar integration, next-generation power electronics, extended-reality training, and intelligent hardware-software systems.
At Booth #428, SPARK team members and company founders met with potential customers, investors, and partners to share why Ann Arbor is an ideal place to start, scale, and grow technology companies. Attendees were invited to explore SPARK’s startup acceleration, grant funding, and mentoring programs, while enjoying a taste of Ann Arbor through local favorites like Zingerman’s treats and SPARK swag.
The show also provided valuable opportunities to connect with state leaders, including Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and MDOT Director Brad Wieferich, who continue to champion Michigan’s mobility and electrification industries.
“It’s exciting to see how collaboration between startups, industry partners, and state leadership continues to accelerate mobility innovation in Michigan,” said Janis Seabolt, director of mobility programs at Ann Arbor SPARK. “Events like The Battery Show give our startups a powerful platform to connect with customers and showcase the technologies shaping the future of mobility.”
Anchored by the University of Michigan and supported by Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College, the Ann Arbor region produces a steady pipeline of engineering, software, and battery systems talent. The area’s world-class testing facilities, including the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township and U-M’s MCity, provide critical environments for validating connected, automated, and electrified vehicle technologies. With more than 220 mobility-related companies calling the region home, Ann Arbor serves as a living lab where pilot projects and industry collaborations drive real-world innovation.
“Supporting startups in mobility and battery systems is critical to maintaining competitiveness in the clean-transportation era,” added Seabolt. “By bringing these companies to The Battery Show, we’re helping them engage with OEMs, suppliers, investors, and integrators—and spotlighting why Ann Arbor matters as more than just a Midwest location, but as a center of mobility innovation.”
Learn more about SPARK’s work in mobility and advanced automotive innovation here.
