10-09-2025
Years ago, the economic development group board of directors for the Ann Arbor, Michigan, region consisted mainly of real estate developers. Today, Ann Arbor SPARK has a board filled with entrepreneurs of startups in the region. One of its key missions is to help commercialize research conducted at the University of Michigan, which produced 673 new inventions through technology transfer last year.
Tim Marshall, executive chairman and CEO of the Bank of Ann Arbor, is a member of the board. The 1980 Daniels School graduate recently told students in the Executive Forum that SPARK has provided $250,000 in pre-seed funding to many of the companies, a total that entrepreneurs need to match “to have skin in the game.” All told, the Bank of Ann Arbor worked with many of the companies that were recipients of the $34 million that SPARK invested in local startups, which led to another $1 billion in follow-up funding.
“We’ve developed quite a niche in that area,” Marshall said. “It’s really an amazing culture. You name the bank, and we are very competitive in supporting startups and entrepreneurial efforts.”
Marshall covered several other topics, including interest rates, affordable housing, and mergers and acquisitions, during his talk. He made a pitch to students to consider his company a destination, provided they have the right stuff.
“We don’t hire slow walkers,” Marshall said. “We’re looking for people with purpose that want to be part of a winning team.”
The Executive Forum is one of the most popular courses at Purdue. Guest speakers come to campus each week to share their career insights and experiences with students. Dave Randich, a strategic management lecturer at the Daniels School, is the course instructor.
Listen to and watch Marshall’s Executive Forum class:
The Daniels School’s Executive Forum is held in person on the West Lafayette campus and is open to the public, as seating permits. Follow the business school on LinkedIn to learn about upcoming Forum speakers and more.
