Ann Arbor SPARK Supports Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Internship Program

A2EF, through collaboration with 14 high-growth startup companies and venture capital firms, recently announced a new internship program that will provide underrepresented college students with the opportunity to gain paid work experience within the local startup industry.

The Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund (A2EF), an initiative of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, recently announced the launch of its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Internship Program, providing eligible college students the opportunity to work at one of the region’s leading tech startups or venture capital firms. Ann Arbor SPARK joins the Washtenaw Community College Entrepreneurship Center and Cahoots, an Ann Arbor-based coworking hub, in supporting this new initiative.

“This new program is the culmination of the collective action of local colleges, community organizations and numerous tech company and VC leaders across Washtenaw County,” explains Trista Van Tine, A2EF Director. “We started building this program in May, as a collaborative response to the racial injustice that was happening across the country and our amazing local entrepreneurial community quickly rallied to offer opportunities that we hope play a role in creating a more equitable future for the next generation of leaders.”

“We are thrilled to sponsor an internship with the Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Internship program,” comments Jason Harper, co-founder and CEO of RXA, an AI powered growth marketing agency and client of Ann Arbor SPARK. “RXA’s core values strongly align with A2EF as we are passionate about supporting and cultivating diverse talent in business at the collegiate level. We’re excited to help equip a student with the knowledge, skills, and experience to prepare him or her for an exciting tech career in applied artificial intelligence.”

There will be at least 14 paid, remote-based internships available.

For more information about the program visit: www.a2entrepreneursfund.org

A2EF is a network of entrepreneurs and investors in Washtenaw County who have made a commitment of 1 percent of company equity, investment carry or annual profits back to the community. As an initiative led from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, it provides a platform for founder engagement and support in achieving success with their ventures and a simple mechanism for young companies to build a culture of giving back into their business, making it easy for them to support their community. Launched in 2019, A2EF has 22 pledged members.

To learn about the unique opportunities available to entrepreneurs through the Ann Arbor Entrepreneurs Fund and how to become a member, please visit A2entrepreneursfund.org.