Ann Arbor SPARK to promote Midwest tech hubs at SXSW

Ann Arbor SPARK and Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan will present at South by Southwest (SXSW) next month, bringing two sessions and a networking reception to the LINE Hotel in Austin, Tex., on March 18.

“The festival appeals to a broad audience with a wide range of interests,” says Jenn Hayman, senior vice president of marketing, communications, and events at Ann Arbor SPARK. “We really want to show the innovation and startup support and share information about companies that are building and scaling in Ann Arbor because of collaboration, talent, and intentional growth. The Midwest offers a different and powerful path for businesses to scale.”

The afternoon programs will cover why companies and global innovators are choosing Michigan and other Midwestern tech hubs. With two panel discussions followed by a reception, attendees will hear from founders and corporate research and development leaders on how talent density, university-industry collaboration, and capital efficiency create competitive advantage.

“All the reasons people want to visit and raise families here are the same qualities why a company would want to choose this area,” Hayman says.

The first session, “Why the Midwest Wins: Where Innovation Takes Off,” will be moderated by Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. Panelists will share real-world examples of founder success, corporate innovation, and how Ann Arbor’s regional assets help companies grow faster and more sustainably.

The second session, “Spinning Out: What It Takes to Build a University Startup,” will use Ann Arbor as a case study of ecosystems focused on opportunity. It will be moderated by Mike Psarouthakis, executive director of impact investments and strategic alliances at Innovation Partnerships. In this panel discussion, founders who launched companies out of the University of Michigan will share insights.

By participating in SXSW, Ann Arbor SPARK and Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan aim to strengthen national relationships, connect with peer regions and investors, and position the Ann Arbor region as a leading example of how place-based innovation ecosystems can compete and grow in today’s economy.

“In past South by Southwest participation, we focused on sustainability and capital investments and how we can help maneuver around these components,” Hayman says. “Now we have more stage time and content we can provide to make sure folks know about the resources and opportunity in places like Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.”