Ann Arbor’s annual celebration of innovation, ideas, and connection once again lived up to its name. From September 24 through October 3, 2025, a2Tech360 packed nine signature events and 15 Partner Events into ten days that spotlighted the region’s creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial energy.
Investing in Growth
The week began with Invest360, hosted at the University of Michigan Golf Course Clubhouse, where entrepreneurs and investors came together to celebrate success and explore what’s next. At Invest360, this year’s winners were Modal Motors (Mobility + People’s Choice, $100,000), BedConnect (Life Sciences, $50,000), and Gildform (Information Technology, $50,000), earning a combined prize pool of $200,000.
Meanwhile, the FastTrack Awards honored high-growth “gazelle” companies in Washtenaw County, with DocNetwork celebrating their tenth consecutive award—a milestone achievement that reflected the region’s enduring spirit of entrepreneurship. The program honored companies that achieved at least 20% average revenue growth over the past three years, starting from a base of $100,000. View all awardee videos here.
Building a Sustainable Future
At the Sustainable Future Forum, held at Venue by 4M, sustainability innovators from across industries, research institutions, and the public sector gathered to explore climate resilience and equitable transitions. The event featured a keynote by Beth Gibbons, Director of the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office and lead author of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, who shared insights on adaptation strategies and the economic opportunities tied to local climate action.
Panels highlighted advancements in climate tech, green infrastructure, and circular economies, while the City of Ann Arbor recognized participants of the Green Business Challenge (GBC)—companies leading by example in eco-conscious operations. Together, national and local leaders underscored the power of actionable collaboration, reinforcing the Ann Arbor region’s reputation as a model for uniting economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.
Capital Meets Innovation
The Michigan Startup Capital Summit brought founders, investors, and policymakers together at the new Vanguard Hotel to chart the future of Michigan’s innovation economy. The day opened with a keynote by Peter Hill, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Business Leaders for Michigan, who shared insights from the organization’s new Innovation Economy Scorecard and emphasized the need for coordinated investment, talent development, and entrepreneurship to make Michigan a top-ten state for jobs and economic growth.
Throughout the day, the Summit explored the coalition efforts shaping Michigan’s startup ecosystem—from the launch of the Michigan Innovation Fund to statewide advocacy for entrepreneurship and angel investment incentives. Company spotlights highlighted early-stage innovations ready for market, while expert sessions unpacked national trends in angel investing and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on early-stage capital.
The Summit demonstrated the region’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and capital formation. As one participant noted, “when we invest in people and ideas here, we invest in the future of the entire region.”
Connection Meets Empowerment
The Women in Tech event once again served as a powerful platform for inspiration, insight, and connection—bringing together professionals from across the region for an afternoon that celebrated resilience, leadership, and innovation.
The program opened with a keynote from Connie Chang, founder and CEO of ONL Therapeutics. Her message—that personal inflection points often become springboards for creativity and impact—set the tone for an event grounded in both honesty and empowerment. As Chang reminded the audience, “When we lift women up, we lift everyone up. Equity in the workplace isn’t just a fairness concern—it’s an economic one.”
The first discussion, “From Burnout to Breakthrough,” explored how moments of frustration can spark innovation—turning personal challenges into opportunities to build something better. The following session, “Elevating Women,” focused on advancing women in tech and manufacturing through mentorship, inclusive leadership, and stronger pathways for growth. The event closed with a lively networking reception, where attendees continued the conversations sparked throughout the afternoon—sharing experiences, forging new relationships, and celebrating the collective progress of women in tech across Southeast Michigan. As one participant reflected, “Each year I leave this event energized by the talent, innovation, care, and curiosity present in the Midwest tech space.”
Life Sciences Take the Stage
New to this year’s lineup, The Business of Life Sciences brought together founders, funders, and researchers at the new MI-HQ East in Ypsilanti to explore the region’s expanding biotech and health innovation cluster. From the lab bench to market launch, the event examined the full spectrum of life sciences entrepreneurship—connecting researchers, executives, and investors who are shaping the future of health tech in Washtenaw County.
Emceed by Mark Smith, Chief Imagineer & Owner of MI-HQ, the morning opened with a candid conversation on the path from research to commercialization—offering practical insights into regulatory challenges, funding hurdles, and the resilience required to bring scientific discoveries to market. A keynote from Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President for Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan and Chair of Ann Arbor SPARK’s Board of Directors, highlighted the region’s growing national prominence in life sciences. She emphasized the power of aligning university research, entrepreneurial drive, and private-sector investment to strengthen Michigan’s position as a global leader in health innovation. The event concluded with a networking lunch that encouraged new partnerships and collaborations—fitting for a program designed to showcase the dynamic life sciences ecosystem taking shape in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
Homecoming for Talent
Also new to the official a2Tech360 lineup, Tech Homecoming recorded over 700 job seeker registrations, representing a 30 percent year-over-year increase, as 15 hiring companies participated in the statewide talent-attraction event. Historically held on Thanksgiving Eve, this statewide initiative aims to bring—and keep—top tech talent in Michigan by connecting alumni and professionals with local companies eager to hire. Timed with the University of Michigan’s Homecoming weekend, the event attracted both returning graduates and residents looking to build their careers in the Ann Arbor region.
Participating employers included AccumTech, ARKA, Cahoots, Digital Summer Clinic, Jaseci, KLA, LynxDx, Menlo Innovations, Navitas, Optilogic, STACK Cybersecurity, Switchbox, Torc, Toyota, and Yeo & Yeo HR Advisory Solutions. Attendees enjoyed food, an open bar, and complimentary professional headshots from Melanie Reyes Photography, as well as door prizes that added an extra layer of fun to an evening designed to blend career connections with community celebration.
“Participating in community-centered events like Tech Trek and Tech Homecoming has been instrumental in helping Torc root itself within Ann Arbor’s innovation ecosystem. These events let us show what we’re working on and meet people across Ann Arbor’s tech scene, from students and startups to experienced industry leaders,” said CJ King, Chief Technology Officer at Torc.
Discovery on Display
The celebration culminated downtown with the 10th anniversary of Tech Trek and the return of Tech Talk, two events that ran side-by-side and turned Liberty Street into a corridor of innovation. For one afternoon, Ann Arbor’s downtown became an open-air showcase of technology, creativity, and community.
Tech Talk, hosted on stage at Liberty Plaza and free to the public for the first time, featured rapid-fire demos from some of the region’s most exciting innovators. Emceed by Brandon Tucker, Executive Vice President for Instruction at Washtenaw Community College, the live show spotlighted cutting-edge technologies and the people bringing them to life.
Highlights included Navitas Systems, which powered the stage and Tech Trek with next-generation lithium batteries, and TreeTown Tech, whose engineers introduced “Sven,” a personable robot making automation approachable. GripFusion founder and Olympian Mason Ferlic demonstrated the ForceBall, where sports meet sensor tech, while APT Solar showcased a portable, roll-out solar panel built for modern energy needs. After a quick break, Greg Gage of Backyard Brains wowed the crowd with a live neuroscience demo, Thought Labs unveiled a folding solar NanoGrid for off-grid power, the Community High Robotics Team impressed with their football-throwing robot, and AdAdapted closed the show with insights into the future of mobile marketing.
Meanwhile, throughout downtown, more than 60 companies and startups opened their doors as part of Tech Trek’s 10th Anniversary, inviting thousands of visitors to experience Ann Arbor’s tech ecosystem firsthand. Liberty Street transformed into the pulse of innovation, where attendees strolled from pop-up exhibits to open-house labs, uncovering everything from mobility and AI to life sciences and IT—all within walking distance. The event was purpose-built to engage job-seekers, families, technologists and curious community members in one expansive public showcase. Local food vendors and creative activations added energy and flavor, keeping the vibe lively and inclusive for both tech insiders and community guests.
As one attendee put it, “There’s a reason we call Ann Arbor home. We’re right at the intersection of innovation and purpose. Ann Arbor SPARK, through a2Tech360, shines a light on companies using business as a force for good.”
Powered by Partnership
Partner Events added energy and dimension to the lineup — bringing new voices, skills, and experiences that made a2Tech360 bigger, bolder, and more connected. From AI and digital health to creative art-tech mashups, these gatherings proved that innovation thrives everywhere.
Highlights included AI @ Work at Washtenaw Community College, Celebrate Invention at the University of Michigan, and Demonstration Derby at the Ann Arbor Art Center, where art and technology collided in playful fashion. Professionals polished their networking skills at SPARK Your Elevator Pitch and Let’s Go LinkedIn, while founders found guidance through sessions like Co-Founder Matchmaking and Navigating FDA Pathways for Digital Health Innovators.
Health and social impact took the spotlight at the Great Lakes Regional Nursing Innovation Conference and Impact Through Innovation, while hands-on creativity flourished at Maker Works’ Open House and YpsiTasty Grub Crawl. Venue Connect’s Lunch & Learn inspired reflection on purpose and growth, and Cahoots’ Founders & Friends kept the momentum going into the final day. The week wrapped with the Official Tech Trek After Party at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science & Nature Center—an evening of science, nature, and community fun that perfectly captured the spirit of a2Tech360.
Looking Ahead
This year’s a2Tech360 made it clear: Ann Arbor’s innovation ecosystem thrives when connection drives collaboration. Whether through groundbreaking research, inclusive leadership, or career-building opportunities, the region continues to prove that innovation is both our legacy and our future.
Ann Arbor SPARK extends gratitude to its partners, sponsors, and the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA)—with special thanks to Rehmann, MEDC, and Oxford Companies—for their continued support in making this celebration possible.
Planning is already underway for a2Tech360 2026. Sign up to receive the latest news and updates as Ann Arbor’s celebration of innovation continues to grow.
