Students will have the opportunity to network with Michigan startup companies at the Spartan Startup Career Fair on Wednesday.

The event, sponsored by Spartan Innovations and  MSU Career Services Network, features a luncheon and speaker panel as well as an opportunity for students to network and distribute resumes to startups that spark their interest, according to the event’s website.

Director of Student and Community Engagement at Spartan Innovations Paul Jaques said it became clear that many students were interested in working with startups.

“So we wanted to have this as an outlet to meet with companies,” Jaques said.

“At Spartan Innovations, we help ... professors and students alike to start their own businesses,” said Lori Fischer, executive assistant at Spartan Innovations . “This is a great way for students to look at not just corporations but look at startup companies ... to get their foot in at ground level.”

Fischer said that gives startups the chance to gain employees who are interested in their work.

Panelists at the career fair include Adam Grant, Jen Estill, Jesse Flores, Lauren Aitch, and Len Gauger . All have extensive knowledge of the startup world and personal experience with struggles that young entrepreneurs and developing companies face.

Fischer said the individuals planning the event wanted to select people who went through the startup “growing pains” with their own businesses so they have first-hand experience and knowledge to share. The speakers should be people the students can relate to, she said.

Jaques said most companies attending the career fair to talk with students will be looking for go-getters who work independently and want something outside of the traditional corporate career.

Though many of the companies deal with technology, Jaques said there will be a range of startups at the career fair Wednesday.

The fair will be held at held at the MSU Innovation Center, Suite 300 of 325 East Grand River Ave., Wednesday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.