Spark District loses One Spark festival to Sports District

Posted on August 2, 2017 By Editor Articles, Neighborhood News

The fifth annual One Spark Innovation Festival will be held at a new venue and during a new season this year.

Traditionally a Downtown Jacksonville event held in the spring in what was named the Spark District, this year the festival will be held Oct. 6-7 at the U.S. Assure Club West at EverBank Field. A concert at Daily’s Place amphitheater will kick off One Spark on Thursday evening, Oct. 5.

“Over the past four years, One Spark has connected more than 1,500 Creators with the Jacksonville community to market test their ideas, make connections and promote their businesses,” said One Spark Ventures President Chris Carter. “In partnership with Bold Events, One Spark 2017 will provide these same opportunities within the state-of-the-art facilities at EverBank Field. We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s Innovation Festival and the enhanced experience the U.S. Assure Club West will offer Creators who participate and those in the community who attend.”

One Spark will accept applications through Friday, Sept. 8, for Creators interested in sharing their innovations at the 2017 festival. Up to 150 Creators will be organized by zones, including EdSpark, TechSpark, HealthSpark, SocialSpark and possibly a section for innovative ideas that fall outside of these targeted zones.

There is no cost to apply; however, selected Creators will be required to pay $125 to participate in the event. Visit OneSpark.com to find a link to the Creator Application. All Creator zones will be open for application except for the HealthSpark Zone, which will open at a later date.

One Spark Ventures will also offer multiple Spark Tanks this year, with Creators being selected by a panel of judges to participate in Spark Tank competitions within each “Spark” zone. Judges will provide feedback and guidance during each Spark Tank, and will select the top Creator in each zone, who will be awarded $5,000 and the chance to compete in the Spark Tank Championship.

The Spark Tank Championship will take place on Saturday in the stadium suite of Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. The winner of that competition will be awarded an additional $20,000 and will be named Top Creator of the Innovation Festival.

For attendees of the Innovation Festival, advance registration online will cost $5 per ticket. Same day registration and ticket purchases, online or at EverBank Field, will cost $10 per ticket. Children 10 and under may enter the festival free of charge. The concert taking place inside Daily’s Place on Oct. 5 will require the purchase of an additional ticket for admittance, which will be available online or at the gate, pending availability.