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Weekly Rewind: Ann Arbor’s Business News Recap

Weekly Rewind November 20, 2020-decorative background with laptop, phone, tablet, and notes

Upcoming Events

COVID-19 Resources

  • We’re partnering with Washtenaw Community College and Washtenaw County to launch the Renew program, a 10-week course to help companies in Ypsilanti pivot through the pandemic. Applications are due Friday, December 4. 

Regional Updates

  • University of Michigan’s research budget hits $1.62 billion. Related: Our partners at UM’s Business Engagement Center published their annual report here.
  • Kelly Sexton, SPARK board member and University of Michigan Associate Vice President for Research — Technology Transfer and Innovation Partnerships, is a guest on the Tech Transfer IP Forum Podcast.
  • Check out the “Steel Topping” ceremony at KLA’s new building in Ann Arbor.
  • Cisco’s Duo Security reports a big increase in the adoption of security technology due to working from home requirements.

Around the Mitten

  • Business Leaders for Michigan released a report on how university-led economic development affects our state. “Most of the institutions we studied mentioned economic development goals in their strategic plans, but several universities, especially WSU, have centralized and prioritized them.”
  • Midwest Rising: MEDC partners with Forbes to showcase the startup scene around the state.

Food for Thought

  • The Unexpected Boom In Startups  “The third quarter of 2020 is the highest quarter of applications we’ve ever seen.” The largest area for new business creation is online retail.