A look back on this week’s economic development headlines, announcements, and other share-worthy news from the Ann Arbor region.
COVID-19 Relief
- SBA opens the Restaurant Revitalization Fund applications today.
- Ann Arbor-based David Lin launches a COVID Rescue Fund to provide support for shuttered businesses.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- SPARK client LiquidGoldConcept Receives NIH Grant for Lactation Support Training Technology
- Check out the updated Ann Arbor Startup Ecosystem 101 ebook
- Learn more about Ann Arbor SPARK and its services in this profile article: Ann Arbor SPARKS entrepreneurship
- The Michigan Venture Capital Association released its annual research report. Some quick points:
- There are 165 venture-backed startups in Michigan, an increase of 17 percent over the past five years.
- Michigan venture capital firms invested $2.8 billion in 2020, an increase of 28 percent over the last five years.
- While there were more deals in 2020, it was for smaller amounts of funding.
Mobility News
- Reuben Sarkar, CEO at ACM, gave testimony this week to the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports. You can read it here.
Regional Updates
- Pinckney Community Garden Project Gets Financial Boost thanks to Consumers Energy competition and a nice pitch video that SPARK helped facilitate for them
- New internship program helps underrepresented students find “a place in tech” at Ann Arbor companies
- Eastern Michigan University ranked in top 10 in the nation for several degree programs.