Ann Arbor SPARK annual meeting emphasizes power of local collaboration in challenging times

Ann Arbor SPARK‘s 2026 annual meeting emphasized the Ann Arbor area’s innovation ecosystem as a bulwark against tumultuous times, while also recognizing top local entrepreneurial achievers. The meeting took place Tuesday at Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) Student Center.

The event featured a keynote address by Julie Wagner, president and co-founder of the Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID); a regional economic update presented by Ann Arbor SPARK board chair Kelly Sexton; keynote sponsor remarks by Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation President and CEO Shannon Polk; and opening and closing remarks by Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Paul Krutko.

Wagner’s keynote came just weeks after SPARK joined her organization’s Global Network, which includes over 50 innovation districts in 14 countries. GIID’s website defines innovation districts as “dense, mixed-use environments where universities, medical institutions, companies, and startups cluster to accelerate discovery and commercialization.” Wagner emphasized the importance of such districts in what she described as “a very, very challenging landscape” worldwide. She noted the challenges posed by international government disinvestment in research even as technology advances rapidly.

Wagner said government investment in innovation cannot be fully replaced, but robust collaboration between local governments, universities, business organizations, and entrepreneurs can help to fill the gap. She said the Ann Arbor area has already laid impressive groundwork in that area.

“One of the most critical factors in a region’s success is the level to which they are organized,” she said. “They have strong leadership at that helm, organizing and orchestrating a whole variety of different activities that are complicated, iterative, and transformative. We have that at the regional level at SPARK.”

Wagner advocated for the Ann Arbor area to concentrate entrepreneurial, academic, medical and other resources in compact innovation districts, suggesting downtown, Kerrytown, and the Plymouth Road corridor as potential sites.

“It’s time, I argue, for you to go one more step in understanding your local context,” she said.

Sexton presented a look at SPARK’s notable achievements in 2025, including helping 400 startup companies to raise over $167 million in capital, deploying $2 million in grants, attracting numerous multi-million-dollar investments by out-of-state companies, and supporting hundreds of small business owners. Like Wagner, she also emphasized the importance of local stakeholders working together.

“This is a region that collaborates, invests, and adapts,” Sexton said. “And that strength comes from a connected network of organizations, institutions, and individuals working toward a shared goal. The metrics help us measure our progress.”

The meeting also included an awards ceremony honoring several local companies and entrepreneurs. Curintell Group Principal Michael Cole received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Akadeum Life Sciences was named Entrepreneurial Services Company of the Year for its rapid growth and innovative micro-bubble technology, which allows for speedy development of cell therapies. Torc received the Business Development Project of the Year award for its artificial intelligence platform for autonomous trucks. The American Center for Mobility received the Economic Impact Award for its success in attracting national and international partners to its transportation technology hub. And Dr. Stephen Forrest received the Legends Award for his achievements in entrepreneurship and technology, which include developing some of the basic technology behind organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV screens.