intellectual property validation and FTO reports, marketing and sales initiatives, identification of employee needs and opportunities, preparation of a business plan and financial analysis, and creation of a compelling case for attracting funding and other resources, as well as review of product plans, validation steps, and regulatory issues. The company also provides space/expansion and equipment; programs, resources, and educational opportunities for business growth and expansion; programs for recognizing excellence; tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, installation, or rehabilitation of manufacturing facilities; site searches of industrial and office buildings, vacant land, and incubator space; workforce; educational forums; incentives; export assistance; financing; and university connections. It serves businesses in life sciences, automotive research and development, engineering and production, alternative energies, information technologies, homeland security/defense, information, print and online, and imaging/vision sectors. Ann Arbor SPARK was formerly known as SPARK. The company was incorporated in 1982 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.