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WriteSteps Named Best of Ann Arbor Spark Boot Camp

Ann Arbor Spark celebrated the conclusion of its 18th Boot Camp program with participant investor pitches and a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Spark Central business incubator. 

At the event, WriteSteps was selected as the "Best of Boot Camp" winner, based on the quality of its investor pitch and business plan and will receive $5,000 in business consulting services.

"The experience at Boot Camp has been invaluable for WriteSteps," said Suzanne Klein, founder and CEO. "Boot Camp provided the tools for us to become more focused and has given us the confidence and knowledge we need to launch our national efforts. WriteSteps will be the first web based writing curriculum for elementary teachers that meets the new national standards."

WriteSteps addresses the demand for curriculum programs, providing K-5 teachers with the most effective techniques and strategies to meet National Common Core Standards Initiatives standards for writing. WriteSteps delivers comprehensive, easy-to-use lesson modules tailored for each grade level. Each module includes complete lessons demonstrated on video, as well as downloadable lesson material to use in the classroom.   

Also at the Boot Camp celebration, Tyler Paxton of Are You a Human (AYaH) was awarded "Best Pitch" by the judges. AYaH is creating and marketing a human authentication applet for use on Web sites.

Ann Arbor Spark's expanded Boot Camp program includes "after care" that helps further the likelihood of entrepreneurial success for participating start-ups. At the conclusion of Boot Camp, every graduating company receives complimentary access to three months of comprehensive services designed to accelerate their business and fulfill milestones identified during Boot Camp:

* The Spark Entrepreneur Resource Board
* Business introductions from Boot Camp mentors
* Power Lunch
* Entrepreneur Education Programs
* Funding Fundamentals Workshop
 
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.

The next scheduled Ann Arbor Spark Boot Camp is May 5-6, 2011. Application submission opens Jan. 11. Boot Camp participants that receive early decision admission receive complimentary Entrepreneur Education programs prior to the spring 2011 Boot Camp.  

More at www.AnnArborUSA.org.

(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.

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