NextCAT Awarded Best of Ann Arbor SPARK's Entrepreneur Boot Camp

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK celebrated the conclusion of its 17th Entrepreneur Boot Camp program with participant investor pitches and a reception on Wednesday, May 26.  At the Ann Arbor SPARK Entrepreneur Boot Camp Celebration, NextCAT was selected as the "Best of Boot Camp" winner, based on the quality of its investor pitch and business plan.

"The entire Entrepreneur Boot Camp was an excellent experience," said Derrin Leppek, NextCAT's business development manager.  "The one-on-one feedback and guidance from NextCAT's Boot Camp drill instructor helped us develop a meaningful and concise pitch.  The rigorous training from the entire Boot Camp team forced me to analyze NextCAT's plan and either defend it or change it as necessary.  The end result was a pitch that was very different from the one we started with, and one that I was able to present with confidence that I didn't have before coming into Boot Camp."

NextCAT, based in Detroit, is commercializing a series of heterogenous catalysts developed by the National Biofuels Energy Lab at Wayne State University for use in biodiesel production.  These new catalysts allow producers to use less expensive raw materials in the production of biodiesel, and simplify the production process. 

Ann Arbor SPARK has expanded its Boot Camp to include an "after care" program that helps further the chances of entrepreneurial success for participating start-ups.  At the conclusion of Boot Camp, every graduating company is eligible to receive $5,000 in business consulting through Ann Arbor SPARK as well as three months of other critical start-up support:

• Virtual incubator tenancy in the SPARK Regional Incubator Network (SPARK Central, SPARK East and Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center)
• Access to the SPARK Expert Resource Board
• Mentoring, entrepreneurial educational and networking events and business-critical introductions

Ann Arbor SPARK's Boot Camp is a two-day business planning and preparation event designed to help early stage technology businesses.  A unique combination of hands-on learning and one-on-one mentoring, the event features noted speakers on entrepreneurship, successful local entrepreneurs and investors.

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK 

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 represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan Works!/ETCS, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org. 

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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