SPARKs Fly
Loren Townes, Jr. of Ann Arbor SPARK
As director of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK, Loren is contributing to Michigan’s business community and inspiring resilience with his life story
Growing up in Romulus, Loren Townes, Jr.’s home was often a hub for family and neighborhood friends to gather for basketball, video games and – most importantly – his mom’s cooking. His mom taught him and his two younger brothers to have a strong work ethic, grit and the belief that life is what you make it. They might not have had everything, but they had more than they needed and they had each other.
After graduating from Romulus High School, Loren went to Eastern Michigan University to study political science, but he says his early college years were rocky. “Within a semester, I was incarcerated for a crime I committed,” he says. “During those two years, I spent a lot of time reflecting, learning and planning for a different future.” A year after his release from prison, Loren enrolled at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) – a moment he calls “a turning point” in his life and “the rebirth of [his] trajectory.” He dove into business studies, earning scholarships, graduating with honors and ultimately delivering the commencement speech at graduation.
Loren’s career in higher education over the years led him to his current role as director of entrepreneurial services at Ann Arbor SPARK, where he focuses on accelerating tech startups and early-stage companies. As one of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s key regional partners, Ann Arbor SPARK serves as a designated SmartZone and Small Business Support Hub, providing small business support and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Loren also teaches at the Ross School of Business, educating students on business practices and leadership. Today, Loren is focused on giving back to his community – and enjoying everything Ann Arbor has to offer.
How did your career path kick off following graduation from WCC?
The day after graduation at WCC, I got a call offering me my first professional role from WCC, which was focused on prospective student outreach to recruit students for Advanced Technologies academic pathways. I never expected to go into higher ed, but it found me. While honing my skills, I was fortunate to be promoted several times, with my latest role being Manager of Corporate & Community Engagement, where I built partnerships with local businesses.
Wayne State University was also a special place for me, and I was fortunate to find success there as well. I became the first African American male student selected as a 25 Under 25 honoree at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, got involved on campus and built relationships with faculty and administrators who invested in me. I graduated magna cum laude, went on to complete my MBA and gave back by mentoring and volunteering with student groups and organizations on campus.
What kept me in Michigan after that was opportunity, community and my loved ones. I was thriving professionally, building a strong reputation in Washtenaw County, and getting more involved civically through southeast Michigan. Then came an opportunity at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. I joined the Business+Impact team, helping students design and launch early-stage social impact ventures. That role reinforced my commitment to building my career here in Michigan in an impactful way. Eventually, I became an adjunct lecturer at Ross while continuing my full-time work supporting student entrepreneurs. It’s been a chance to give back and help others grow – just as so many people here have done for me.
What led you to working at Ann Arbor SPARK?
It was the chance to immerse myself more fully in entrepreneurship and enhance economic mobility in our region. At Michigan Ross, I loved developing entrepreneurial programs, teaching design thinking and advising student entrepreneurs on building meaningful social enterprises. But I wanted to do more for the local community and my legacy. The support I was providing was important, yet niche, and I noticed that many ventures left the state with the students after graduation. I wanted to contribute by retaining and nurturing innovation locally.
I’d long admired Ann Arbor SPARK’s reputation as a hub for economic development, innovation, founder support and ecosystem growth. I felt I could make a real difference building community and fueling the growth of startup activity here and getting more students involved. I knew the role would challenge me in ways that would help me grow. For me, this wasn’t just a job opportunity; it was an opportunity to do something great for Michigan.
What does your role with Ann Arbor SPARK entail?
As director of entrepreneurial services at our SPARK Central location, my role is multifaceted. On any given day, I’m a coach, a mentor, a motivator and sometimes even an informal therapist. I spend a lot of time in conversation with early-stage founders – listening to what they’re wrestling with, asking tough questions and helping them shape challenges into clear, actionable steps. Those client meetings are the lifeblood of my work, because that’s where I can help founders move forward. I also see myself as an ambassador and strategic connector, recruiting new startups into the SPARK pipeline and linking them to the right resources that will help them find their footing and accelerate. I want founders to feel like they’ve got someone walking alongside them and showing them where to go.
You also teach at the Ross School of Business – what is it like working with the upcoming generation of talent and entrepreneurs?
Teaching at Ross has been such a meaningful opportunity for me to share wisdom and knowledge that students can carry into whatever career path they choose – and into life itself. Being in the classroom gives me a front-row seat to how the next generation of business leaders approach big challenges. What I’ve observed and really appreciate is how values-driven the students are. Yes, they want to build successful careers and develop leadership skills, but so many of them also care deeply about the social aspects of the world and how business decisions play out. Combine that with how savvy they are with technology, and it makes me excited to see the kind of impact they’ll have on society in the years to come.
Why is Michigan – and the Ann Arbor community in particular – such a hub for innovation?
Michigan – and Ann Arbor especially – has all the ingredients you’d want for an innovation hub, but what makes it unique is how those pieces come together. Our public-private partnership model at Ann Arbor SPARK plays a huge role in that. We have a solid track record of spurring innovation and helping bring technologies to market. For example: HistoSonics, SkySpecs, Groundspeed Analytics, Shoulder Innovations and more.
The University of Michigan (U-M) produces world-class research and an incredible pipeline of talent, and you’ve got a city that, pound for pound, shows up big. The amount of quality startup activity here is quite impressive for a city of this size, and you can’t walk down the street without bumping into a founder, a researcher or an investor who’s passionate about building something new.
U-M is a powerhouse, and the U-M Health System drives breakthroughs in healthcare. But the talent pipeline doesn’t stop there. As a proud alum of Washtenaw Community College (WCC) – schools like WCC also play a huge role in producing skilled talent in manufacturing, automotive, cybersecurity and more. That full range of talent means founders can build strong teams right here without needing to look elsewhere.
On top of that, there’s a powerful network of experienced founders, investors and mentors, many of whom have already cut their teeth and built and scaled companies and are willing to share what they’ve learned with the next wave of entrepreneurs. The collaboration here is real. It’s what makes Ann Arbor not just an innovation hub, but a place where entrepreneurs feel like they belong. I believe community is the heartbeat of any ecosystem, and the right community can push you to places where talent alone won’t take you.
And then there’s the Midwest factor. Across Michigan, founders are building with a purpose. We’re not here to chase headlines – we’re here to solve real problems in AI and SaaS, life sciences, mobility, advanced manufacturing, clean tech and more. There’s a certain pragmatism to it, but also a lot of heart and hustle. And when you combine that with the resources of Ann Arbor SPARK, MEDC, our local universities, the SmartZone network and partners in Detroit, Grand Rapids and beyond, you see why Michigan consistently punches above its weight. For me, being part of that isn’t just exciting and dope – it’s a real badge of honor.
Lastly, while innovation is important, so is quality of life. People don’t just want to build here, they also want to live and play here. Ann Arbor offers balance: great schools, a vibrant cultural scene, sports, trails, food and a strong sense of community. There’s life outside of work, and that balance matters. You can grow something meaningful without giving up a fulfilling life.
How does your public speaking company contribute to your services to the community?
My public speaking company is all about helping people build resilience. I mostly work with college students, young professionals and entrepreneurs – people who are at turning points in their lives, often feeling like underdogs but determined to do something great. I began speaking in 2013, shortly after returning home from prison while I was a student at WCC. At that point, I was determined to prove to myself and others that one poor decision wouldn’t define my future or my ability to contribute positively to society. Over time, I expanded my focus beyond my own story to show how resilience applies more broadly.
Within the past year, I’ve been focused on my commitments at Ann Arbor SPARK, teaching at Michigan Ross, serving on the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber Board and co-organizing A2 New Tech, so I’ve only taken a few speaking engagements. But I believe this is one of my true callings, and I have plans for what’s next. I’m not revealing all of it just yet, but I’m excited for the future.
Outside of your professional life, what are some of the things you enjoy about the Ann Arbor area?
I try to take full advantage of everything Ann Arbor has to offer. In the summer, you’ll usually catch me kayaking down the Argo River or hooping at outdoor courts like the old Nike Court (now Bicentennial Park) or over at the Health & Fitness Center at WCC. It’s my way of staying active and spending time with my guys, and since I’m competitive, it always turns into a little more than just “fun.” I’m also a cigar guy. La Casa off Jackson Road is one of my favorite spots to unwind with a good stick and a glass of bourbon. A lot of local professionals hang out there, and the conversations are always rich and inspiring. There's a group of us that get together regularly. And then there’s the foodie in me. Ann Arbor has a solid food scene, and I love exploring it: Aventura with its Spanish-inspired flavors, Chop House where you can pair dinner with cigars, Frita Batidos and so many others. I’m also into live jazz, so I’ll check out Blue Llama or catch a show at Hill Auditorium when they have something special. And of course, tailgating at Michigan football games on the U-M Golf Course is always prime time!