Nearly 400 leaders from across business, higher education, government, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem came together at the 2026 Ann Arbor SPARK Annual Meeting to reflect on a year of momentum — and to look ahead at what’s next for our region.
Hosted at Eastern Michigan University on May 19th, the program was led by Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Paul Krutko and Ann Arbor SPARK Board Chair Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research – innovation partnerships and economic impact at the University of Michigan.
The event highlighted the partnerships, innovation, and community collaboration driving economic opportunity across Washtenaw County and beyond.
From startup growth and business expansion to talent development and inclusive economic opportunity, the program showcased the many ways our region continues to punch above its weight on a national and global stage.
The results shared throughout the program reflected another year of significant regional impact. In 2025, companies supported through Ann Arbor SPARK generated more than $20.5 million in new investment commitments, while SPARK’s Entrepreneurial Services team worked with more than 420 startups. Ann Arbor SPARK’s Business Development team also supported 14 company growth projects that are expected to create more than 600 new jobs, reinforcing the region’s position as a destination for innovation and business growth.
Ann Arbor’s Impact Reaches Far Beyond Michigan
This year’s Annual Meeting reinforced something many in the region already know: Ann Arbor continues to gain recognition as a global center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent.
During the program, State Representative Jason Morgan presented Ann Arbor SPARK with a tribute from the State of Michigan recognizing the organization’s impact on economic development and innovation across the region.
“SPARK has not just made our region a highlight on the map, it has made us a highlight worldwide in terms of the impact that is being had here in our community.”
— Jason Morgan
That recognition reflects the momentum occurring across multiple sectors. In 2025, Ann Arbor SPARK supported growth projects involving companies such as Torc, MemryX, Utilidata, and ASICS, helping attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the region’s reputation as a center for innovation.
Building an Inclusive Innovation Economy
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that economic development is ultimately about people, place, and access to opportunity. That theme was reinforced by remarks from Shannon Polk, president & CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the event’s keynote sponsor.
“The notion that economic growth is strongest when it is connected, place-based, and inclusive.”
— Shannon Polk
That theme carried throughout the program, reinforcing the importance of building a regional economy where innovation and opportunity are broadly shared.
Expanding Opportunity for Entrepreneurs
In 2025, SPARK East supported 40 startups with coaching, educational programming, and more than $150,000 in grants. New initiatives such as the Entrepreneur Resource Studio and Small Business Navigator program expanded access to expert guidance for business owners, while the MEDC-funded Small Business Support Hub continued serving entrepreneurs through a network of regional partners. Community engagement remained a cornerstone of the work, with the Ypsilanti 9th Hour attracting nearly 1,000 attendees and the SPARK East Innovation Center serving as a hub for local organizations and entrepreneurs.
The meeting also highlighted the impact of programs supporting small businesses and underrepresented founders across the region — work detailed further in Ann Arbor SPARK’s 2025 Annual Report.
“To date, almost 500 small businesses have been supported by these programs. More than two-thirds of those are women-owned, and nearly 60% are minority owned.”
— Kelly Sexton
The numbers reflect a broader commitment to ensuring the region’s innovation economy remains accessible, inclusive, and community-driven. In 2025 alone, Ann Arbor SPARK’s Entrepreneurial Services team assisted 287 startups through LDFA-supported programs and helped secure more than $2.21 million in grants for founders.
The organization’s capital programs also continued to fuel startup growth, with SPARK Capital investing $3.85 million into 30 companies — including Heat2Power, MAKA, and M3D — and the Michigan Angel Fund investing an additional $422,000 into three companies — Shoulder Innovations, Culturewell, and SkySpecs.
Since its inception, SPARK Capital has helped attract more than $1.1 billion in follow-on investment, helping innovative companies start, grow, and scale in the Ann Arbor region.
Competing in a Changing Economy
The program concluded with a keynote from Julie Wagner, president and co-founder of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts and one of the world’s leading voices on innovation districts and regional competitiveness.
Drawing from her work with regions across the globe, Wagner shared insights on how communities can organize around talent, infrastructure, research, and collaboration to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving economy.
“Questions facing regions like ours are evolving around talent, infrastructure, and how we stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy.”
— Julie Wagner
Honoring an Ann Arbor Innovator
The program also included a special tribute recognizing the recent passing of Dick Sarns, one of Ann Arbor’s pioneering technology entrepreneurs whose impact helped shape the region’s innovation ecosystem for decades.
“Dick was one of Ann Arbor’s earliest technology entrepreneurs. He helped bring heart-lung machine technology into open-heart surgery practices around the world, later founded NuStep, and through both companies — and decades of leadership and philanthropic generosity — helped shape Ann Arbor’s innovation legacy.”
— Paul Krutko
Through both Sarns, Inc. and NuStep, Sarns helped establish Ann Arbor as a place where innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact could grow together — a legacy that continues to influence the region today.
Celebrating Progress, Building the Future
As Ann Arbor continues to grow as a hub for innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and talent, this year’s Annual Meeting reinforced a core idea: strong regional ecosystems are built through collaboration, shared vision, and long-term investment in people and place.
The accomplishments highlighted during the event — from startup investment and small business support to talent development and business attraction — demonstrate the power of a coordinated regional approach to economic development.
In addition to the keynote and regional updates, the event celebrated the leaders, companies, and partners helping drive innovation and economic opportunity across the Ann Arbor region. Watch this year’s award videos and meet the 2026 honorees here.
Ann Arbor SPARK is grateful for the support of its 2026 Annual Meeting sponsors, including the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, DTE Energy, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Toyota.
Save the date: Ann Arbor SPARK’s 2027 Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 21.
