Grand Rapids, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan’s newest startup tech incubator, The Bridge, will open in just over a month.
The Entrepreneurship Center is located on the fourth floor of the Dog Meagher Medical Innovation Building. This high-tech, high-growth space is the result of a partnership between Spartan Innovations, Health Innovation Partners, Rockford Construction, Walsh Investors, Walsh Construction, and Murphy Development Group.
“The goal here is to find things that move the needle to make people’s lives better, happier, and healthier,” said Kyle MacGregor, director of health innovations at Spartan Innovations.
The approximately 20,000 square foot space aims to foster networking and growth for up and coming entrepreneurs. Tera Osman, who founded the Market app farmare one of the first tenants and beneficiaries of the many resources The Bridge has to offer.
“Users can create a free listing for things like backyard chicken eggs, produce, garden supplies, plants, trees, and honey,” Osman explained of her app. Buyers can search on the map by location or keyword and then message the seller to complete the sale.
Since launching the app from her children’s playroom in March, Farmesh has seen 220,000 unique downloads, according to Osman.
“These are the people and resources that have helped Farmish grow. I have been waiting for this (space) to be finalized because it will have a real impact on my business being under one roof and being able to work side by side.”
Rental applications are open. MacGregor told News 8 that they have about a dozen tenants on hold for the March opening.
“We can make this a one-stop shop where you don’t just come to put your business plan together,” he said. “It’s get your business plan, get your marketing, get your platform working, talk to lawyers, talk to HR people…we’ve got it here.”