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Opportunity Starts Here

We all win when anyone who wants to start a business in our community has the opportunity and a platform to be successful.

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MICHIGAN STEM FORWARD

Calling all startups and mid-sized companies looking for STEM student interns! STEM Forward is offering a $3,000 match for hiring a Michigan based intern for your company. Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) have launched Michigan STEM Forward, a statewide program that matches students attending Michigan colleges and universities with internship opportunities at the state’s leading innovative companies.

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Welcome to
the Ecosystem

a community of support to help you achieve success.

I have a business idea

How can Start Garden help me?

  • Access to very early, no strings attached capital
  • Connections into the entrepreneur community and those who support it
  • Tap into our network we’ve built from decades doing startup in Michigan
  • Talk to our team that’s met with thousands of entrepreneurs

What resources are available to me in our community?

  • Bootcamps and classes to take your idea and plan it as a business
  • Help with prototyping and productizing new ideas
  • Advise you to avoid typical pitfalls of getting started
  • Find funds that allow you to experiment without breaking your bank account

See more resources >

I am a startup

How can Start Garden help me?

  • Join our startup community at 40 Pearl
  • Connect to Michigan investors
  • Connect with the entrepreneur community and those who support it
  • Tap into our network we’ve built from decades of dong startup in West Michigan
  • Work with our team on identifying your next steps
  • Build your knowledge and relationships through our events

What resources are available to me in our community?

  • Find accelerators for different startups
  • Connect to specialized expertise around legal, accounting, intellectual property, technology development and manufacturing
  • Connect to angel investor groups
  • Explore various incentives to recruit and retain businesses

See more resources >

I’m a member of the business community

How can Start Garden help me?

  • Connect with the next generation of business leaders
  • Roll up your sleeves on helping new businesses get off the ground
  • Help close the inequality gap for entrepreneurs
  • Find startups that may fit your expertise

What resources are available to me in our community?

  • Plug into places where new entrepreneurs are emerging to launch new business ideas. 
  • Advise or mentor through various programs
  • Check out various startup competitions in the region

See more resources >

Locate yourself
in the Ecosystem

And discover valuable resources to help you on your journey.

Business Idea

I need a fast, inexpensive way to turn my idea into action and access to platforms to help me be successful on my journey.

Startups

I need access to intellectual and commercial capital to help me grow my business and take it to the next level.

Business Community

Locate the right resources and connections in the business community that will help you thrive.