It’s not certain when it will be — or precisely what it will be — but One Spark 2017 will be on the calendar.
Based on the success of the one-day festival in April, followed by a conference for entrepreneurs and an opportunity for some to present ideas to venture capitalists, organizers are in the early planning stages for the festival’s fifth year.
“We had great immediate feedback and great post-event feedback,” said Michael Munz, One Spark board member and Dalton Agency executive.
The festival element, called Spark Walk this year, was shortened from five days in the streets of Downtown to nine hours, in conjunction with First Wednesday Art Walk on April 6.
In addition to the cadre of artists at Art Walk, more than 60 Spark Walk entrepreneurs had exhibits there.
“It really supercharges Art Walk,” said Jake Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision Inc., presenters of the monthly event.
While the opportunity for people to show their ideas to the public was abbreviated, it was augmented by “Spark Tank” on Thursday, when a select group of creators presented their ideas and products to potential investors.
While that was going on, more than 400 people attended “Innovation Day,” a conference for people who have started, or want to start, a small business.
Having less party and more purpose was a hit with those who regard the festival as potential business development.
“Adding more focus on innovation was wildly accepted,” said Munz, admitting One Spark organizers knew they were taking a chance with such a major format change.
“It was a roll of the dice for us,” Munz said.
Chris Carter, president of One Spark Ventures, which set up the Spark Tank meetings, said feedback was positive from presenters and investors.
“We demonstrated to investors a platform is developing,” he said. “The (presenter) teams we had this year have some great ideas. They just need some polishing.”
Kate Stewart, founder and president of the nonprofit Jacksonville Community of Entrepreneurs, facilitated Innovation Day.
She said the conference proved there’s a need for more information and support for people who want to transform their idea into a business.
“There is a hunger in this community and a huge market to connect innovators with resources,” said Stewart.
Whether the all-day conference will return in 2017 remains to be determined, but Stewart said if One Spark’s board decides it’s a go, she’ll be ready to help again.
Gordon said DVI, which took on the festival part of One Spark with only about a month to prepare, also is ready to support the 2017 format, whatever it will be.
“We’re happy to help any way we can. We always support economic development Downtown,” he said.
Gordon described Spark Walk as a success, but he’d like to get the call a little earlier for 2017.
“With more time to plan, we can do it even better,” he said.
The event was a success on the balance sheet as well, Munz said.
The festival format changed when primary benefactor and One Spark board chairman Peter Rummell said he’d no longer cover the festival’s financial deficit. He put in about $3.5 million over the first three years.
“We lost a little money, but we almost broke even,” Munz said of the 2016 event.
The duration of One Spark 2017 and when it will take place are under review, but one thing’s for sure, Munz said.
“We’re not locked into a one-day festival, but spring is synonymous with One Spark,” he said.
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