Skip Simms

Skip Simms joined Ann Arbor SPARK in 2006 as Director of Entrepreneurial Services and was its second employee. In 2011, he was named Senior Vice President. Skip oversees all the entrepreneurial activities including incubators, business accelerator programs, and all capital programs.

He was the architect of the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund co-investment program, the multiple microloan programs managed by SPARK, and the MI Innovation Equipment Depot. His newest initiative is the Michigan Angel Fund.

Skip has more than twenty years of experience in financing and investments. Prior to joining Ann Arbor SPARK, he was the Managing General Partner at the Ralph Wilson Equity Fund, a $31 million fund-of-funds.

Skip was a charter member of the Michigan Venture Capital Association and previously served on their Board of Directors. He is a past board member of the New Enterprise Forum. You may have seen him at an entrepreneur event or program, as he is often asked to serve on panels or make presentations regarding start-up funding.