A progressive city with an unapologetic passion for its community
Ypsilanti is known for its heritage of automotive leadership and era-defining advancements in aviation production. Continuing this ethos of innovation is the Ann Arbor SPARK East Innovation Center, dedicated to supporting early-stage startups and helping growing businesses excel.
Contact Ann Arbor SPARK
Entrepreneurial Services
Connect with Ann Arbor SPARK for more information about the organization’s entrepreneurial services and resources.
Contact SPARK
The Difference Between Startup Incubators
and Business Accelerators
What are the differences between incubators and accelerators and how can they help you achieve your goals?
Learn More
SPARK East Innovation Center
Since its launch in 2008, the SPARK East Innovation Center has become a magnet for innovation-based businesses of every size and description – from entrepreneurs and startups to mid-sized companies. Located in downtown Ypsilanti, SPARK East clients have access to an amazing array of business development centers, consulting expertise, and educational programs.
Entrepreneurial Marketing Services
Ann Arbor SPARK’s marketing team provides direct services to its Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti clients. These services — which would normally be cost-prohibitive to early-stage companies — include branding, content marketing, product positioning, social media strategy, public relations, and other promotional materials. In 2021, the dedicated entrepreneurial marketing team delivered more than 275 individual services for 57 of the startup companies working with SPARK.
Join the SPARK East Innovation Center to gain all the benefits of having a dedicated business address and more. We’ve got affordable rates, reservable conference rooms, and more.
Companies that join SPARK East are eligible to apply for grants funded by the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) for marketing, recruiting, legal, and other professional services.
Accounts
Free Trial
Projects
SSL
VIRTUAL DESK
$75
PER MONTH
Use of shared office environment
Conference Rooms
–
–
FLEX DESK
$150
PER MONTH
Use of shared desk space
Conference Rooms
Key Card Access (Business Hours)
–
DESIGNATED DESK
$200
PER MONTH
($200 month per additional seat/desk)
Assigned Private Seat/Desk Space
Conference Rooms
Key Card Access (Extended Hours)
Personal Security Access Code (Weekends)
Location: 215 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Financial Programs and Incentives for Ypsilanti Companies
Ann Arbor SPARK and the Washtenaw Office of Community and Economic Development have created incentive options for businesses in eastern Washtenaw County. SPARK can help businesses identify loans, grants, and incentives that fuel continued business growth.
Innovate Ypsi
The Innovate Ypsi incentive program is designed to provide funding to businesses that create jobs and investment in the 48197/48198 zip codes. Projects are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a review committee, with consideration given to the type of project, number of new employees, capital investment, financial support, and impact on the community.
Funds can be used for a variety of expenses, including:
- Marketing and business development assistance
- Product development and scaling manufacturing
- Talent relocation and recruitment assistance
- Direct lease assistance
- Rehabilitation grants
- Purchase and leaseback of machinery and equipment
- Payroll/Salaries
- Real Estate
Washtenaw Gap Manufacturing Fund
The loan fund is a partnership between the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development (CEED), Washtenaw County, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The gap manufacturing fund was established to assist existing and startup small businesses that cannot obtain conventional financing due to lack of capital, no credit, and insufficient collateral.
The loans are up to $50,000. Many small businesses know the difficulty of obtaining financing from conventional sources, due to lack of capital, no credit, and insufficient collateral.
Contact Jennifer Olmstead to learn more about the Innovate Ypsi and Washtenaw County Gap Manufacturing Fund or additional opportunities in Ypsilanti.
Join Our Incubator
Startup Funding
Eastern Michigan University
Based near downtown Ypsilanti, EMU is a major learning and research institution serving 22,000 students and offering more than 200 undergraduate majors, minors and certificates, plus more than 150 graduate programs.
American Center for Mobility
A unique, purpose-built facility focused on testing, validation and self-certification of connected and automated vehicles and other mobility technologies at the more than 500-acre historic Willow Run site in Ypsilanti Township.
The Back Office Studio #coworkypsi
Ypsilanti's newest coworking space, BOS fosters a dynamic community of passionate and hardworking leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and talented people collaborating to build positive futures in Ypsi.
