U-M and SPARK help entrepreneurs through Mingle and Match

U-M Zell Lurie Institute and Ann Arbor SPARK Help Entrepreneurs and Business School Students "Mingle and Match"
January 8, 2007

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Entrepreneurs seeking additional talent for their team will be offered the unique opportunity to "Mingle and Match" on January 16, 2007 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. "Mingle and Match," a program offered through the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and Ann Arbor SPARK, is a highly interactive event that matches entrepreneurs with talent for their team.

"Companies of any size need high-quality talent to thrive, especially emerging companies that have limited resources and limitless needs," explained Amy Cell, director of talent enhancement, Ann Arbor SPARK. "Innovative businesses have a critical need to attract, develop and retain talent; 'Mingle and Match' is an example of how collaboration between universities and organizations like Ann Arbor SPARK can bring together talent and employers. 'Mingle and Match' promises to deliver eager and highly educated talent to emerging companies.”

"Mingle and Match" provides emerging companies one minute to pitch their concept to a 40-60 person group of high caliber undergraduate and graduate business students seeking the opportunity to join an exciting opportunity. Following the presentations, participants mingle and network.

To help streamline the matching process, participants that are interested in a specific emerging company will complete a preference form, including contact and background information. Completed preference forms are then presented to select emerging companies for follow-up.

To be considered for "Mingle and Match," entrepreneurs must submit a one page PowerPoint presentation describing their business to Amy Cell at Ann Arbor SPARK (Amy@AnnArborSPARK.org) no later than January 13, 2007.

About Ann Arbor SPARK
Representing all communities in Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, the Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation, Pfizer, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.