Every year, A2 Tech Trek participants are encouraged to vote for the company they like best from the Trek. These votes are tallied to determine which participating company will receive the People’s Choice award. While the results were close this year, the culture presented by these three companies illustrate the forward-thinking, innovative, and fun tech scene in Ann Arbor.
If you’re a job seeker returning to the Ann Arbor area for Thanksgiving, join us for a happy hour meet-and-greet with hiring tech companies!
The top winner was The Forge at Pillar, a technology consulting company with more than 20 years of experience. Located on the seventh floor of a building that shapes Ann Arbor’s skyline, Pillar treated Tech Trek attendees with picturesque views of the downtown area, refreshments, and engaging presentations. 2018 was Pillar’s triumphant return after first winning the People’s Choice award in 2015. Pillar recently announced an acquisition by Accenture to grow its Industry X.0 practice.
In second place — and Pillar’s seventh floor neighbor — was the Desai Accelerator. Founded with the help and resources of the University of Michigan and the city of Ann Arbor, the Desai Accelerator helps entrepreneurs build their businesses and maximize their potential. Desai invited trekkers to partake in food, games, and pitches from all the startup companies in their newest cohort. Desai recently hosted Desai Accelerator Demo Day, awarding a $10,000 cash prize to another Ann Arbor startup, Mi Padrino.
Finally, in third place is SpellBound a previous two-time People’s Choice winner. A tenant at the SPARK Central Innovation Center, SpellBound stood out during Tech Trek. Attendees crowded into the SpellBound display, watching demonstrations of its therapeutic tools using smartphones and augmented reality to distract, engage, and motivate children during hospital treatment. Check out SpellBound’s 2017 Tech Talk.
These three companies are an excellent representation of what awaits job seekers who are considering joining the vibrant Ann Arbor tech community.
